Oracle Linux vs Rocky Linux comparison

Oracle and Rocky Linux are both solutions in the Operating Systems (OS) for Business category. Oracle is ranked #3 with an average rating of 8.5, while Rocky Linux is ranked #5 with an average rating of 8.3. Oracle holds a 8.8% mindshare in OSB, compared to Rocky Linux’s 15.6% mindshare. Additionally, 92% of Oracle users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 100% of Rocky Linux users who would recommend it.

Oracle Linux

Read 119 Oracle Linux reviews

14,258 Views
14,115 Comparison Views

92% willing to recommend

Rocky Linux

Read 7 Rocky Linux reviews

13,225 Views
13,225 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

Oracle Linux

Rocky Linux

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Apr 20, 2025

Oracle Linux and Rocky Linux are enterprise Linux distributions, both vying for the attention of IT professionals seeking reliable operating systems for infrastructure needs. Oracle Linux appears to have an edge due to its advanced enterprise features and robust support, whereas Rocky Linux offers a cost-effective and community-driven alternative.

Features: Oracle Linux is renowned for its advanced security measures, hybrid cloud support, and comprehensive management tools like Ksplice for zero-downtime updates, the Unbreakable Enterprise Kernel for optimized performance, and vast compatibility with Oracle products. Rocky Linux is favored for its transparency and easy transition for CentOS users, straightforward installation process, and strong adherence to open-source principles, providing a stable and reliable platform.

Room for Improvement: Oracle Linux can enhance vendor support for non-Oracle hardware and simplify licensing terms to reduce costs and complexity. On the other hand, Rocky Linux could improve by increasing enterprise-grade support options, expanding its ecosystem for better application compatibility, and enhancing documentation for smoother adoption by traditional enterprise users.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Oracle Linux offers seamless integration with Oracle Cloud and boasts a comprehensive support framework through professional services, enhancing the deployment experience. In comparison, Rocky Linux benefits from a cost-effective, straightforward deployment process backed by strong community support, providing flexibility for organizations seeking open-source solutions.

Pricing and ROI: Oracle Linux involves higher initial costs due to its subscription model, offering potentially higher ROI for enterprises leveraging its full capabilities. On the other hand, Rocky Linux, being a free open-source solution, presents minimal setup costs and favorable ROI for companies prioritizing budget-friendliness without sacrificing reliability, highlighting its cost-effectiveness in contrast to Oracle Linux's premium services.

To learn more, read our detailed Oracle Linux vs. Rocky Linux Report (Updated: July 2025).

Buyer's Guide

Oracle Linux vs. Rocky Linux

July 2025

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Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Categories and Ranking

Oracle Linux

Ranking in Operating Systems (OS) for Business

3rd

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

7.6

Number of Reviews

119

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Rocky Linux

Ranking in Operating Systems (OS) for Business

5th

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

5.5

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of July 2025, in the Operating Systems (OS) for Business category, the mindshare of Oracle Linux is 8.8%, down from 15.2% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Rocky Linux is 15.6%, up from 10.0% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Operating Systems (OS) for Business

Featured Reviews

Thomas Waltair

Regional Head AND Director Product Development at Neptune Software Group

Provides outstanding performance and resource savings with effective customer service

The solution works closely with the operating system kernel, which gives better performance in terms of multi-threading and a distributed database. We work based on Oracle specifications, and whenever there are critical patches and vulnerability tests, we update with the latest security patches. The collaboration with Oracle WebLogic and other Oracle tools enhances performance as well.

Read full review

Jetsada Malaisirirat

System Engineer at clusterkit

Enhancements in package management elevate user experience

I have been using Rocky Linux for three or four years. It is used for HPC, online assessments, and Ceph storage The solution is free and open source. The OS choice in my project is quite specific. It is based on customer requirements, as they might want to use Rocky Linux or Ubuntu, depending on…

Read full review

Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"Oracle Linux is a secure solution."

"The platform is stable, and there is no risk of viruses, unlike the Microsoft platform."

"The solution has zero downtime and is easy to optimize right out of the box."

"The installation is straightforward and it did not take very long."

"The user interface is comfortable and easy to use."

"One of the main features of this solution is it is secure."

"Oracle Linux is very secure making it one of the most valuable features. Additionally, it is easy to manage."

"If we use Linux, Solaris, or some other operating systems, we have to build a lot of packages using RPMs (the packet manager). That's a difficult task. With Oracle Linux, we use a single command to update from the Oracle website."

More Oracle Linux pros

"It helps us keep our workstations in sync and ensures consistent settings across most of our machines."

"I haven't needed to use customer service or support, which speaks volumes about their product's reliability and ease of use."

"It's very simple to work with, easy to learn, and know where things are."

"The custom install scripts streamline the setup process, making it straightforward."

"The most valuable feature of the solution is its stability."

"The solution is free and open source."

Cons

"The main challenge for new users of Linux is the command-line interface (CLI). It can be intimidating if you're not familiar with it."

"The security and integration could improve."

"Kernel updates need improvement."

"Managing upgrades, especially moving from one version of Oracle Linux to another, can be challenging."

"Expertise in Oracle Linux is not extensive, so it was challenging to find someone with experience in this technology."

"In the next release, I would like for Autonomous Linux to be available to all users so that the OS administration can be automated."

"Oracle Linux could improve by having better compatibility with other solutions. Some aspects of the configuration are difficult. I was using Oracle Linux on a Mac computer and it was very difficult to set up."

"What can improve in the solution is a rather challenging question given that Oracle is pushing towards cloud computing and the closed nature of the system. Maintaining Oracle Linux behind a firewall can be a cumbersome process, as it requires manual intervention to copy repositories and obtain approval from internal authorities. With the current emphasis on cloud computing, the support and development of traditional, closed systems like Oracle Linux may not receive as much attention, leading to potential limitations in the system's capabilities and performance."

More Oracle Linux cons

"One of the potential issues is that if you don't pay for support, you may need to manage certain aspects on your own and rely on the community for assistance."

"I have certain problems with the tool's DNS part, making it an area where improvements are required."

"Improved integration with Windows, particularly Active Directory, would be beneficial for the product. Currently, this aspect requires additional effort."

"The solution's audio integration for virtual machines could be improved."

"In terms of improvement, Rocky Linux needs to clarify its identity and target audience."

"The package versions can be quite older compared to other distributions such as Ubuntu."

Pricing and Cost Advice

"This solution is very cost-effective, as it is essentially free, with charges only for support purposes."

"We have a yearly license, and I think Oracle charges too much."

"Oracle Linux is very cheap at this time."

"The solution is free to use with a support subscription rather than having to buy licenses."

"The solution has no fees."

"The price of Oracle Linux overall could be less expensive."

"Low-cost solution."

"Oracle Linux license and support are far more expensive than Red Hat or SUSE."

More Oracle Linux pricing and cost advice

"The product is expensive. I rate the pricing a three."

"Compared to the market prices of other tools, the solution has a very competitive pricing."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

13%

Manufacturing Company

Financial Services Firm

Educational Organization

Computer Software Company

14%

University

11%

Comms Service Provider

11%

Educational Organization

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

Questions from the Community

How does Oracle Linux compare with Solaris?

When comparing Oracle Linux and Solaris, I believe that Linux is more secure and more flexible. It is also very suitable for enterprises that are already Oracle solution users. I found Linux to be ...

See all answers

Which would you choose - Ubuntu Linux or Oracle Linux?

Ubunto Linux is a complete Linux operating system that is freely available with both community and professional support. This solution is suitable for both desktop and server use. It has a very app...

See all answers

What do you like most about Oracle Linux?

The product is 99.99% stable.

See all answers

What do you like most about Rocky Linux?

It's very simple to work with, easy to learn, and know where things are.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Rocky Linux?

The OS choice in my project is quite specific. It is based on customer requirements, as they might want to use Rocky Linux or Ubuntu, depending on their needs. The package versions can be quite old...

See all answers

What is your primary use case for Rocky Linux?

I have been using Rocky Linux for three or four years. It is used for HPC, online assessments, and Ceph storage.

See all answers

Comparisons

Ubuntu Linux vs Oracle Linux

Compared 22% of the time

CentOS vs Oracle Linux

Compared 19% of the time

Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) vs Oracle Linux

Compared 10% of the time

Oracle Solaris vs Oracle Linux

Compared 9% of the time

SUSE Linux Enterprise vs Oracle Linux

Compared 5% of the time

More Oracle Linux Competitors

Fedora Linux vs Rocky Linux

Compared 25% of the time

Ubuntu Linux vs Rocky Linux

Compared 24% of the time

Debian vs Rocky Linux

Compared 11% of the time

Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) vs Rocky Linux

Compared 8% of the time

openSUSE Leap vs Rocky Linux

Compared 7% of the time

More Rocky Linux Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Oracle Linux

June 2025

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Buyer's Guide

Operating Systems (OS) for Business

June 2025

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Also Known As

Oracle Enterprise Linux

No data available

Overview

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.

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

Rocky Linux is a robust and secure enterprise-grade operating system designed as a drop-in replacement for CentOS. Its primary use case is to provide a stable and reliable platform for organizations to run their critical workloads and applications.

The most valuable functionality of Rocky Linux lies in its compatibility with CentOS, ensuring a seamless transition for organizations already using CentOS. It offers long-term support, regular security updates, and a predictable release cycle, providing stability and reliability for mission-critical systems.

Rocky Linux helps organizations by offering a free and open-source alternative to CentOS, which was discontinued by Red Hat. It allows businesses to continue using their existing CentOS-based infrastructure without the need for costly migrations or vendor lock-in. With its strong community support and active development, Rocky Linux ensures a sustainable and community-driven future for CentOS users.

Moreover, Rocky Linux is built with security in mind, providing robust features like SELinux and secure defaults. This helps organizations protect their data and systems from potential threats and vulnerabilities.

Rocky Linux

Sample Customers

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Buyer's Guide

Oracle Linux vs. Rocky Linux

July 2025

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