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Amazon Linux Reviews

Vendor: Amazon Web Services (AWS)
4.4 out of 5
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What is Amazon Linux?

Amazon Linux is a secure and stable distribution for cloud environments, optimized for AWS performance. It is widely adopted by developers seeking minimal disruption in deployment and management, offering a seamless operational experience.

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Amazon Linux is the #16 ranked solution in top Operating Systems for Business. PeerSpot users give Amazon Linux an average rating of 8.8 out of 10. Amazon Linux is most commonly compared to Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL): Amazon Linux vs Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). Amazon Linux is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 54% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a government, accounting for 14% of all views.
Buyer's Guide
Amazon Linux
January 2026
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Amazon Linux mindshare

As of January 2026, the mindshare of Amazon Linux in the Operating Systems (OS) for Business category stands at 0.5%, up from 0.0% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Operating Systems (OS) for Business Market Share Distribution
ProductMarket Share (%)
Amazon Linux0.5%
Rocky Linux12.2%
Ubuntu Linux9.4%
Other77.9%
Operating Systems (OS) for Business

PeerResearch reports based on Amazon Linux reviews

TypeTitleDate
CategoryOperating Systems (OS) for BusinessJan 14, 2026Download
ProductReviews, tips, and advice from real usersJan 14, 2026Download
ComparisonAmazon Linux vs Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)Jan 14, 2026Download
ComparisonAmazon Linux vs Rocky LinuxJan 14, 2026Download
ComparisonAmazon Linux vs Ubuntu LinuxJan 14, 2026Download
Suggested products
TitleRatingMindshareRecommending
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)4.47.6%97%385 interviewsAdd to research
CentOS4.24.4%94%77 interviewsAdd to research
 
 
Key learnings from peers
Last updated Dec 28, 2025

Valuable Features

Amazon Linux offers integration with AWS, high performance, and robust security. Users appreciate its SE Linux implementation, flexibility, and customization abilities. It's lightweight, secure by default, and includes automatic patching. With preinstalled AWS tools, it supports container workloads efficiently. Kernel live patching and long-term support are significant advantages. Amazon Linux's documentation aids migration, while cost savings are achieved through AWS's commitment options. Scalability, security, and service reliability enhance cloud applications. It's favored for its streamlined updates.
  • "The product itself is very good; even if I switch organizations and they are not using Amazon Linux, I will share my experience that Amazon Linux has worked great for us in these use cases."
  • "In my opinion, the best features of Amazon Linux include the stability and its standard Linux distribution, which in some cases is easier to deploy and manage than the Ubuntu distribution, but I feel comfortable with Ubuntu too."
  • "The ecosystem of software packages in Amazon Linux has helped us keep up to date with the artificial intelligence trend, where people are using ChatGPT to code, and they are also using Amazon Developer Q to program applications much faster, and then also to meet requirements with the Google Play Store and Apple Store."

Room for Improvement

Amazon Linux terminals could benefit from enhancements. Users highlight the need for better third-party integration and suggest fleet management for updates. Improvements in support for running outside AWS and a larger community ecosystem are desired. There is a call for backwards compatibility between versions to aid upgrades. Enhanced documentation with more use case examples is necessary. Expanding compatibility in hybrid environments and maintaining security patches are also areas of concern.
  • "I choose nine out of ten because it could use a bit more options."
  • "Amazon Linux can be improved by having the documentation contain more examples of use cases."
  • "Amazon Linux is not supported outside of EC2. You cannot install it on a local system, whereas you can install Ubuntu and Red Hat on your local system."

Popular Use Cases

Organizations use Amazon Linux for hosting applications, microservices on EC2, and containerized architectures like Docker and Kubernetes. It supports cloud migration projects, offers security features, and reduces attack surfaces with continuous updates. Users employ it for DevOps pipelines, running containers, handling AWS services such as EKS, ECS, and Lambda functions. Telecommunications firms utilize it for virtual and Linux machines, while others leverage its seamless AWS integration and lightweight environment for various operational needs.

Service and Support

Customers rate Amazon Linux customer service highly, praising prompt responses and knowledgeable support available 24/7. Engineers provide efficient, clear guidance and troubleshooting, making AWS support reliable and helpful. Users appreciate quick response times but suggest quality could improve. Some find the technical support adequate, while others benefit from having support contracts allowing access to AWS engineers anytime. Despite limited usage, users note proficient and knowledgeable engineers regarding Amazon Linux-specific support.

Deployment

Users found Amazon Linux's initial setup straightforward and simple, appreciating its ease of installation, particularly for Kubernetes in the cloud. They noted that working with Amazon Linux is easier compared to on-prem systems due to swap issues. Installation processes were described as friendly, especially on Mac, with no severe challenges in updating. Although some found the setup complex, they acknowledged a lack of sufficient elements to fully evaluate it. Pricing and licensing were also considered straightforward.

Scalability

Amazon Linux users find it highly scalable due to its integration with AWS infrastructure, enabling rapid scaling in response to workload demands. Its lightweight design enhances quick start times and consistent performance during scaling. Partnered with AWS tools like Auto Scaling, EKS, and ECS, it efficiently manages traffic surges, offering elasticity and cost control. Unlike traditional systems, it allows for dynamic resource adjustment, appealing to those seeking reliable performance across extensive EC2 deployments.
These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.
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Review data by company size

By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business2
Midsize Enterprise1
Large Enterprise5
By reviewers
By visitors reading reviews
Company SizeCount
Small Business24
Midsize Enterprise14
Large Enterprise44
By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews
Government
14%
Computer Software Company
10%
Comms Service Provider
10%
Real Estate/Law Firm
8%
Manufacturing Company
7%
Outsourcing Company
6%
Retailer
5%
Energy/Utilities Company
5%
Insurance Company
4%
Wellness & Fitness Company
4%
Wholesaler/Distributor
2%
Aerospace/Defense Firm
2%
Healthcare Company
2%
Media Company
2%
Recreational Facilities/Services Company
2%
Transportation Company
2%
University
2%
Non Tech Company
1%
Financial Services Firm
1%
Educational Organization
1%
Import And Exporter
1%
Hospitality Company
1%
Leisure / Travel Company
1%
Non Profit
1%
Performing Arts
1%
Pharma/Biotech Company
1%

Compare Amazon Linux with alternative products

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Learn more about Amazon Linux

Developed by Amazon Web Services, Amazon Linux provides an environment streamlined for performance on AWS infrastructure. By offering long-term support and regular security updates, it ensures crucial security and reliability. It is tailored to enhance cloud-centric application development, making it a preferred choice for developers needing efficient resource management. Its compatibility with a wide range of AWS tools and services makes it highly adaptable for cloud-native solutions.

What are the key features of Amazon Linux?
  • Security: Offers frequent updates and security patches for a reliable operating environment.
  • Performance: Optimized for AWS, improving speed and efficiency.
  • Flexibility: Easily customizable to meet specific application needs.
  • Long-term Support: Provides extended software support to reduce maintenance overhead.
What benefits or ROI should users look for in Amazon Linux reviews?
  • Integrated AWS Tools: Improves workflow efficiency by seamless integration with AWS ecosystem.
  • Regular Updates: Ensures up-to-date security and performance features.
  • Cost Efficiency: Reduces operational costs with optimized cloud resources.
  • Developer Satisfaction: Enhances developer productivity with streamlined resource management.

In industries such as finance and healthcare, Amazon Linux is used to develop cloud applications that require secure data handling and robust performance. Media companies appreciate its flexibility and speed in managing high-demand scenarios, ensuring scalable content delivery and reliable performance.

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Amazon Linux Reviews Summary
Author infoRatingReview Summary
Senior AWS Consultant at Quantum Integrators4.5I've used Amazon Linux for over six years in production environments due to its strong security, automatic patching, scalability, and AWS optimization, though it lacks broader community support and isn't installable outside EC2.
Senior Software Engineer at a financial services firm with 10,001+ employees4.5I've used Amazon Linux since 2019 for EC2, Fargate, and Docker-based data science workloads; it's stable, secure, cost-effective, and well-supported, though pre-built images with RStudio or Jupyter would make setup even easier.
Software Engineer at a tech services company with 501-1,000 employees4.5I've used AWS for nearly six years, mainly with ECS, EKS, and Lambda. It's cost-effective, scalable, and secure, though constant version updates require maintenance. Compared to Azure and GCP, AWS offers better pricing and manageable infrastructure with Terraform.
Cloud Architect at a manufacturing company with 10,001+ employees4.5I use Amazon Linux for networking and migration tasks on AWS and value its core functionality, though it could benefit from continuous improvements. My experience has been positive overall, particularly with its optimized kernel and reliable support.
Independent Contractor at a computer software company with 1,001-5,000 employees3.5I've used Amazon Linux for over five years and found it reliable, especially for EC2, S3, and AI-related tools. Setup was easy, documentation helpful, though more examples are needed. Pricing is fair, and I'd recommend it.
Founder at Asynka5.0I find Amazon Linux stable, scalable, and well-documented, making it great for automation and migrations. Though setup can be complex, support is excellent, and I prefer it over Ubuntu in some cases for easier management.
Solutions Architect at 3t Solutions5.0No summary available
Senior Engineer - Cloud and datacenter at a media company with 1,001-5,000 employees4.0No summary available