Rocky Linux vs CentOS: Which is Better for Servers in 2024?

In the world of Linux distributions, choosing the right one for your server is crucial.

If you’re considering Rocky Linux or CentOS for your 2024 server setup, you might be wondering which one is better.

With CentOS shifting its focus to CentOS Stream, many server administrators have started looking for alternatives.

After personally using both Rocky Linux and CentOS, I’ll walk you through the key differences, pros, and cons, so you can make an informed decision.

The CentOS Shift and Why It Matters

Before 2020, CentOS was the preferred choice for many due to its stability. It was essentially a downstream version of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), meaning it followed RHEL releases but without the cost.

However, in December 2020, CentOS announced a shift in focus to CentOS Stream. CentOS Stream now serves as a rolling-release distribution that sits between Fedora and RHEL.

While this means updates and features come more frequently, it also introduces the possibility of more instability.

After using CentOS Stream on one of my servers for a few months, I noticed that while it had the latest packages, some updates caused issues with system stability, which was a dealbreaker for me in a production environment.

That’s when I decided to explore Rocky Linux, a distribution launched by Gregory Kurtzer, one of the original founders of CentOS.

What Is Rocky Linux?

Rocky Linux was developed as a response to the changes in CentOS. It’s designed to be a downstream build of RHEL, offering the same stability that CentOS once did.

The goal is to provide a solid, predictable platform that mirrors RHEL releases without the frequent updates found in CentOS Stream.

After switching to Rocky Linux for a week, I immediately felt a sense of familiarity—it was like using the old CentOS again, but with updated features.

Similarly, in our pervious article we mention about Why Ubuntu is the Best Linux Distro for Beginners? Have a look. 

Key Differences: Rocky Linux vs CentOS

When deciding between Rocky Linux vs CentOS, several factors come into play:

1. Stability: Which One is More Reliable?

Rocky Linux is designed with long-term stability in mind. Since it’s based on RHEL, it only receives updates after they’ve been thoroughly tested, making it ideal for critical environments.

CentOS Stream gets updates faster because it’s an upstream distribution, meaning it’s more experimental and changes frequently.

While this may work for developers who need the latest features, it can be risky for production servers. For me, stability is non-negotiable, especially when running a server.

After using Rocky Linux for a few weeks, I found it much more reliable for handling critical workloads, while CentOS Stream, although cutting-edge, sometimes introduced bugs after updates.

2. Update Model: Rolling vs Fixed Releases

Rocky Linux follows a point-release model, which is more conservative. Updates and features are released after rigorous testing, ensuring maximum stability.

CentOS Stream adopts a rolling-release model. New features and updates arrive sooner, but this also means they’re less tested and may introduce issues.

From my experience, a rolling release like CentOS Stream is better suited for testing or development environments where you need access to the latest features.

However, for production servers, I prefer Rocky Linux, as its fixed release cycle gives me confidence that nothing will break unexpectedly.

3. Performance: Is There a Difference?

In terms of performance, both Rocky Linux and CentOS Stream are very similar since they’re both based on RHEL.

I didn’t notice any significant performance differences between the two during my tests.

However, the predictability of Rocky Linux’s updates made it easier to optimize and plan my system upgrades, which is something I struggled with in CentOS Stream.

4. Community Support and Documentation

Both Rocky Linux and CentOS Stream have active communities, but since CentOS Stream has been around longer, its community is more established.

That said, the Rocky Linux community is growing quickly, and many former CentOS users are migrating over. I’ve found the Rocky Linux forums and documentation to be extremely helpful.

Plus, since the community is made up of experienced users (many of whom were once CentOS experts), the level of support is excellent.

Pros and Cons of Rocky Linux vs CentOS

Rocky Linux Pros

• Stability: Designed for long-term use, making it ideal for production environments.
• RHEL Compatibility: Mirrors RHEL releases, ensuring compatibility with software and applications designed for enterprise use.
• Active Community: A rapidly growing and passionate user base ensures fast support and frequent updates.
• Predictable Updates: With a point-release system, you know what’s coming, and the risk of unexpected issues is minimized.

Rocky Linux Cons

• Less Frequent Updates: If you need the latest features or updates, Rocky Linux’s conservative release model might not suit your needs.

CentOS Stream Pros

• Cutting-Edge Features: If you want access to the latest packages and technologies, CentOS Stream delivers updates faster.
• Developer-Friendly: Ideal for testing new software or applications before they hit the stable RHEL release.

CentOS Stream Cons

• Potential Instability: Since it’s upstream of RHEL, there’s a higher risk of bugs or issues with updates.
• Not Ideal for Production: For mission-critical servers, the lack of guaranteed stability can be a dealbreaker.

Personal Experience: Rocky Linux vs CentOS

After using both Rocky Linux and CentOS Stream in different server environments, I personally feel that Rocky Linux is the superior option for anyone running a production server in 2024.

The stability and predictable update cycle make it a safer choice for critical applications.

Most people I’ve spoken to in forums and social media seem to agree that CentOS Stream is too risky for production environments but works well for testing or development servers.

How to Switch from CentOS to Rocky Linux?

If you’re using CentOS Stream and want to switch to Rocky Linux, the process is straightforward:

Step 1: Back up your server and important data.

Before making any major changes to your server’s operating system, always back up your important data.

Step 2: Install the Rocky Linux Migration Tool.

The Rocky Linux team provides an official migration tool called migrate2rocky. It automatically converts your CentOS installation to Rocky Linux.

Step 3: Run the migration tool.

Once you’ve installed the tool, simply run the migration script with the command

sudo bash migrate2rocky.sh. 

This will convert your existing CentOS installation to Rocky Linux, preserving all your settings and data.

Step 4: Reboot your system.

After the migration is complete, reboot your server to finalize the process.
This method has worked flawlessly for me when switching from CentOS to Rocky Linux, and it’s well-documented by the community.

FAQs

Conclusion

In 2024, choosing between Rocky Linux and CentOS largely depends on your specific needs.

If stability and predictability are your top priorities, Rocky Linux is hands down the better option, especially for production servers.

CentOS Stream, while useful for development and testing, may not be the safest bet for mission-critical environments.

After using both operating systems, I personally recommend Rocky Linux for anyone needing a reliable and stable server environment.

It’s the true successor to the CentOS we all loved, and most users online seem to agree that it’s the better choice for long-term use.

Which Linux distribution are you running on your servers? Are you using Rocky Linux, or have you stayed with CentOS? Drop a comment below and let us know your thoughts!