Key Difference Between Redhat and Ubuntu
An operating system runs and controls all installed programs. OS efficiently uses system memory. Important OS components are listed below.
Redhat vs Ubuntu Comparison Table
This table compares RHEL and Ubuntu’s main differences:
| Criteria | Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) | Ubuntu |
|---|---|---|
| Company | Red Hat, a subsidiary of IBM. | Canonical Ltd. |
| Distribution Model | Commercial with subscription-based support. | Free and open-source; commercial support available. |
| Release Cycle | Has a slower and more stable release cycle, with long-term support (LTS) versions. | Has regular releases every six months, with Long Term Support (LTS) versions. |
| Package Management | Uses the Red Hat Package Manager (RPM) for package management. | Uses Debian Package Manager (DPKG) and Advanced Package Tool (APT). |
| Package Format | Packages have .rpm file format. | Packages have .deb file format. |
| Package Repository | Official repositories are primarily managed by Red Hat. | Official repositories are managed by Canonical. |
| Default Desktop Environment | Typically no default desktop environment in the server edition; GNOME in the Workstation edition. | Defaults to GNOME in the desktop version. |
| Security | Strong emphasis on enterprise-grade security features. | Emphasizes security but may be considered more user-friendly. |
| Commercial Support | Offers commercial support and services through Red Hat subscriptions. | Offers commercial support through Ubuntu Advantage. |
| Server Market Share | Traditionally strong presence in enterprise servers and data centers. | Gaining popularity in cloud environments, web servers, and containers. |
| Systemd | Uses systemd as the default init system. | Also uses systemd as the default init system. |
| Default File System | XFS is commonly used as the default file system. | Ext4 is commonly used as the default file system. |
| Enterprise Features | Strong focus on enterprise features, stability, and certifications. | Increasing focus on enterprise features, especially in LTS releases. |
| Desktop User Base | Limited focus on the desktop user base. | Increasing popularity as a desktop OS, especially among developers. |
| Cloud Integration | Integrates with cloud services like AWS and Azure. | Has strong integration with various cloud platforms, including AWS and Azure. |
| Community Edition | CentOS, which was historically a free downstream version of RHEL, is now CentOS Stream. | Ubuntu Desktop and Server editions are freely available. |
| Licensing | Proprietary with a subscription model for support. | Free and open-source; commercial support available. |
| Default Shell | Typically uses Bash as the default shell. | Also uses Bash as the default shell. |