Oracle Linux Reviews

Name: Oracle Linux
Brand: Oracle
Rating: 4.2 (111 reviews)

Vendor: Oracle

4.2 out of 5

111 reviews
91% willing to recommend

1,203 followers

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What is Oracle Linux?

Oracle Linux is a stable, reliable, and scalable operating system primarily used for deploying and running Oracle databases. It is also suitable for various other functions, including managing operating systems and web servers, supporting traffic surveillance, and identity management.

Get the Oracle Linux Buyer's Guide and find out what your peers are saying about Oracle Linux, Ubuntu Linux, Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) and more!

Oracle Linux is the #3 ranked solution in top Operating Systems for Business. PeerSpot users give Oracle Linux an average rating of 8.4 out of 10. Based on the analysis of the 111 most recent Oracle Linux reviews, the overall sentiment is positive, with a sentiment score of 7.8. (Among the highest in the category). Oracle Linux is most commonly compared to Ubuntu Linux: Oracle Linux vs Ubuntu Linux. Oracle Linux is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 61% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a computer software company, accounting for 14% of all views.

Helped 829,541 peers since 2012

Featured reviews

Marcelo Muniz

Database Engineer at kyndryl

It is important to work with a vendor who will sell you the correct product for your environment rather than just try to make the most money off of you. Study the solution and learn how to install it correctly and use it in the best ways. Follow best practices from Oracle and get some training in the operational system. The solution comes with a lot of features and options that you can use for free. It is reliable and you can even use an old version with no issues. It is not the most user friendly, but you can learn it with a bit of study. Overall, the solution beats other operational systems by a large margin. The solution is rated a nine out of ten.

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LLIEDNO

Sr. NetBackup System Administrator at University of Delaware

The graphic interface could be improved to work better in a desktop environment like Red Hat or Ubuntu. Few people use the solution because its marketing is faltering. Unless companies buy other items from Oracle such as ACSLS for managing tape libraries, there is no need to use the solution.

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Rekha Pawar

System Administrator at Qatar University

I give the solution a nine out of ten. We need an OS admin, and VM admin to clearly apply, install the solution and verify it according to the prerequisites we have, which are given to us by the application owners. Two, or three people are enough to deploy and maintain the solution. We only have to deploy the solution and the system is used by all the students and faculty of the university. I recommend Oracle Linux to new users.

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Oracle Linux mindshare

As of January 2025, the mindshare of Oracle Linux in the Operating Systems (OS) for Business category stands at 14.5%, down from 14.7% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Operating Systems (OS) for Business

PeerAnalyst reports

Type	Title	Date
Category	Operating Systems (OS) for Business	Jan 7, 2025	Download
Product	Reviews, tips, and advice from real users	Jan 7, 2025	Download
Comparison	Oracle Linux vs Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)	Jan 7, 2025	Download
Comparison	Oracle Linux vs Ubuntu Linux	Jan 7, 2025	Download
Comparison	Oracle Linux vs Windows Server	Jan 7, 2025	Download

Title	Rating	Mindshare	Recommending
Ubuntu Linux	4.3	16.8%	95%	138 interviews Add to research
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)	4.4	11.8%	97%	263 interviews Add to research

Valuable Features

Key features of Oracle Linux include Oracle-validated configurations for quick setup, Unbreakable Enterprise Kernel for optimized performance, Ksplice for zero-downtime updates, single-vendor support, and strong integration with Oracle applications. It offers 100% binary compatibility with RHEL, stability, and security. Users appreciate cost-effectiveness, ease of use, fast deployment, and sourcing patches from a unified repository. Oracle Linux's pre-configured optimization saves time in database installation, offers robust performance, and facilitates seamless Oracle ecosystem integration.

"The platform is stable, and there is no risk of viruses, unlike the Microsoft platform."
"The cost is a significant advantage of Oracle Linux."
"Patches and upgrades for Oracle Linux are readily accessible. The package management system is streamlined and well-organized. Oracle Linux provides a more integrated approach to package management, consolidating resources and minimizing the need to search for various components separately."

Room for Improvement

Oracle Linux requires quicker security updates and better documentation. Enhancements to the GUI and installer are needed, along with improved performance in virtual environments. Users desire support for more hardware and container technologies. There is a lack of integration with non-Oracle software and a need for better third-party certifications. Pricing and technical support could be more competitive, while more frequent updates and better compatibility with other Linux distributions are desired.

"The technical support for Oracle Linux is just okay. It is not as helpful or friendly as their application support."
"The user interface for Oracle Linux could use improvement."
"They keep increasing their license prices, making it increasingly costly. So many banks and customers are moving away from Oracle Linux."

ROI

Oracle Linux delivers benefits like time savings, reduced operational costs, and improved performance. Organizations experience stability, reliability, and security, with additional perks from its open-source nature. It contributes to positive ROI by providing effective resource consolidation and continuity through zero downtime. Calculating ROI can be complex due to fluctuating economic conditions but Oracle Linux is seen as offering tangible ROI benefits and a medium level of return due to its cost-efficiency and local expertise support.

Pricing

Enterprise customers report that Oracle Linux is cost-effective, as licensing and support prices are generally lower than competitors like Red Hat and VMware. Oracle Linux is free, but support is subscription-based, available at varied levels including Basic and Premier. Licensing is flexible and can be assigned per server. Discounts and price negotiations are common. Though some users feel licensing costs could be reduced, the overall impression is positive regarding affordability and value.

"The cost is relatively affordable."
"We are not paying anything for the operating system."
"We are currently operating the solution using a license-based version. We get licenses per machine."

Popular Use Cases

Oracle Linux is widely used for deploying Oracle databases, high-performance computing, and virtualization platforms. Users appreciate its compatibility across multiple platforms, reducing the need for cross-compiling. They utilize its Ksplice feature to maximize uptime and employ it for developing applications and managing IT infrastructure. Many choose it for its cost-effectiveness, security, and performance, particularly in database scenarios. Oracle Linux is also favored for cloud migrations, DNS servers, and for serving as an operating system in various environments.

Service and Support

Oracle Linux's customer service is praised for its quality, while technical support receives mixed feedback. It is often considered knowledgeable and effective but expensive and slow at resolving complex issues. Users appreciate the extensive Oracle documentation and community resources. Many find first-level support lacking but commend second-level assistance. Businesses value Oracle's integrated support across platforms and their readiness to collaborate with development teams to address bugs and improvements. However, quicker, more responsive support is desired.

Deployment

Many users found Oracle Linux's initial setup straightforward, especially with prior Linux experience. The compatibility with Red Hat aids the transition. Challenges were noted with complex setups and high availability configurations. Templates and documentation were beneficial. Some reported setup was rapid, while others experienced longer deployment times. The process was generally manageable, though advanced configurations required expertise. People emphasized the importance of understanding Linux basics to ensure a smooth installation process.

Scalability

Oracle Linux demonstrates robust scalability across different environments. Users report no significant challenges in scaling, even in large enterprises and high-performance computing setups. With capabilities for horizontal and vertical scaling, the operating system caters to varying demands from small businesses to extensive cloud infrastructures. While some limitations on certain platforms exist, the majority attest to its efficient scalability in diverse applications, boosted by strong support options and optimized performance for complex workloads.

Stability

Users consistently report that Oracle Linux is highly stable. They note no major issues, crashes, or instabilities, praising its reliability, especially in large enterprise environments. While some reported early bugs, recent versions have shown great performance. Users appreciate Oracle Linux's ability to handle various hardware and software scenarios effectively, highlighting its stability as a strong advantage over other Linux distributions. The kernel's maturity and certification have been beneficial for diverse use cases.

These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.

Download our Oracle Linux Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

Review data by company size

By reviewers

By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

14%

Educational Organization

Manufacturing Company

Government

Financial Services Firm

University

Comms Service Provider

Healthcare Company

Retailer

Energy/Utilities Company

Media Company

Insurance Company

Construction Company

Hospitality Company

Non Profit

Real Estate/Law Firm

Transportation Company

Recreational Facilities/Services Company

Wholesaler/Distributor

Pharma/Biotech Company

Aerospace/Defense Firm

Legal Firm

Outsourcing Company

Performing Arts

Logistics Company

Marketing Services Firm

Compare Oracle Linux with alternative products

Learn more about Oracle Linux

Oracle Linux is highly valued for its stability, reliability, scalability, good technical support, and ease of use. It has helped organizations to achieve faster DNS queries, stable development environments, reduced vulnerability issues, good performance for Oracle applications, and improved ability to run test scenarios and parallel queries across massive databases.

Oracle Linux Features

Oracle Linux has many valuable key features. Some of the most useful ones include:

The software is 100% free (no cost) to use, distribute, and update

Ksplice allows for zero-downtime kernel and user-space upgrades

DTrace provides comprehensive kernel and application tracing

For Oracle Linux Support clients, Linux management and high availability are available at no additional cost

It's Oracle-optimized and works well with Oracle Database and Oracle Applications
New workload optimizations:
- Enhanced memory performance by attempting to better locate a process near its memory and better placement of tasks that do not fit on a single NUMA node
- SPECjbb's performance has been improved by up to 3.6 times thanks to optimizations that help reduce lock contention.
- With bcache, it's simple to employ SSDs as a block cache for slower block devices. A new, scaled block layer subsystem supports many millions of IOps on NVM-Express and high-end PCI-E devices.
Oracle Linux has three deployment options:

Linux in the cloud: Oracle Linux Premier Support is included in all Oracle Cloud Infrastructure subscriptions at no additional cost.
Linux on premises: This is the industry's most comprehensive and open Linux distribution.
Embedded Linux design: Embedding a feature-rich Linux distribution is an optimized, cost-effective solution for your business.

Oracle Linux Benefits

There are many benefits to implementing Oracle Linux. Some of the biggest advantages the solution offers include:

Save money by only paying for support for the systems you need
Improve security by applying patches faster and spending less time troubleshooting and updating
Improve Oracle software and hardware performance

Reviews from Real Users

Oracle Linux stands out among its competitors for a number of reasons. Two major ones are its stability and scalability. PeerSpot users take note of the advantages of these features in their reviews:

One PeerSpot reviewer, an IT Manager, reports, “I find the virtualization the most valuable.” He adds, “Oracle Linux is the best Linux operating system that I have ever known. It is very stable and strong.”

An Enterprise Architect at a financial services firm writes of the solution, “You also don't have memory issues, especially when it is engineered with platforms like Exadata and Oracle Cluster. These give you the most throughput and performance.” He adds, “It is very scalable, especially on platforms like Oracle Cluster and Exadata.”

Oracle Linux was previously known as Oracle Enterprise Linux.