Rocky Linux vs Windows 11 comparison

Rocky Linux and Microsoft are both solutions in the Operating Systems (OS) for Business category. Rocky Linux is ranked #5 with an average rating of 8.4, while Microsoft is ranked #10 with an average rating of 8.5. Rocky Linux holds a 15.2% mindshare in OSB, compared to Microsoft’s 5.6% mindshare. Additionally, 100% of Rocky Linux users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 93% of Microsoft users who would recommend it.

Rocky Linux

Read 5 Rocky Linux reviews

14,433 Views
13,505 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

Windows 11

Read 44 Windows 11 reviews

3,111 Views
2,944 Comparison Views

93% willing to recommend

Rocky Linux

Windows 11

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Aug 7, 2024

Rocky Linux and Windows 11 compete in the operating systems category. Windows 11 seems to have the upper hand due to its advanced features and wider native application compatibility.

Features: Rocky Linux offers stability, security, and customization. Server administrators and developers favor it for its flexibility. Rocky Linux allows for extensive system modification to fit specific needs. Windows 11 offers a polished experience with a variety of pre-installed applications. It has robust gaming support and integration with Microsoft's ecosystem. Windows 11 provides a user-friendly interface and versatility in handling different user needs.

Room for Improvement: Rocky Linux can improve in hardware compatibility and user-friendly guides for new users. It also needs better support for third-party applications. Windows 11 requires better resource efficiency and a less intrusive update process. Users also seek faster performance on older hardware and more control over privacy settings.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Rocky Linux offers straightforward deployment, especially for users with prior Linux experience. However, it lacks comprehensive customer support. Windows 11 provides a guided setup process with extensive customer support. The setup is accessible for a wider audience, but the heavy system requirements can be a barrier.

Pricing and ROI: Rocky Linux is a cost-effective solution with a strong ROI due to its lack of substantial licensing fees. It is suited for businesses needing a reliable and secure OS. Windows 11 has higher initial costs but offers extensive features and strong user support, providing solid ROI for power users and those integrated into the Microsoft ecosystem.

To learn more, read our detailed Rocky Linux vs. Windows 11 Report (Updated: March 2025).

Buyer's Guide

Rocky Linux vs. Windows 11

March 2025

Download the complete report

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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

Rocky Linux

Ranking in Operating Systems (OS) for Business

5th

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

7.8

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Windows 11

Ranking in Operating Systems (OS) for Business

10th

Average Rating

8.6

Reviews Sentiment

7.4

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of April 2025, in the Operating Systems (OS) for Business category, the mindshare of Rocky Linux is 15.2%, up from 9.5% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Windows 11 is 5.6%, up from 0.5% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Operating Systems (OS) for Business

Featured Reviews

Dominique Locksley

Linux System Administrator at Adapt IT

Very simple to work with, easy to learn, and has a competitive pricing

The UX design, the user front end, and the user GUI are very well done on the GNOME and KDE platform side. It's very simple to work with, easy to learn, and know where things are. I have worked with a lot of different solutions like Debian, Ubuntu, Red Hat, and CentOS. Rocky Linux is very easy, and if you switch from one to the other, you can easily detect your tools in the front end. Since it is very similar to the file system breakdown of downloads and documents, it's very easy to show users where things will be.

Read full review

Anish Bheekoo

IT Lead at CMH

Stable performance, straightforward setup process, and it is easy to join a domain

In terms of improvement, I have noticed some latency issues when loading large Excel or Word files. I'm not sure if it's a network or software issue, but it would be great if they could address that. Additionally, in terms of security, implementing easier remote access to laptops and providing more mature patching options would be beneficial. Overall, there is room for improvement in these areas. It should also give complete support for already tested versions.

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

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

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

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

"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 ability to divide the screen into two or three sections is useful."

"The search bar and graphic user interface (GUI) are my most valuable features."

"The tool is very stable and I don't recall a time the screen went blue which was common for Windows 7. The product's installation is fast. If I have any issue that prevents me from booting Windows 11, it will automatically run into auto-repair mode and fix those issues. Windows 10 had this functionality but it wasn't good."

"The variety of tools utilized to meet unique needs across the company and different departments."

"The security features in Windows 11 are always being updated."

"I use Windows 11 for development environments and find it user-friendly."

"The tool's integrated antivirus program, Microsoft Defender, is enough for my purpose."

"Windows 11 is a user-friendly solution."

More Windows 11 pros

Cons

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

"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."

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

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

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

"The Android subscription does not support all devices. It should be extended to all devices."

"The integration between Windows and cloud applications could be improved to create a seamless experience."

"Sometimes the Windows 11 system hangs, and its stability could be improved."

"Our company PCs are quite old, and many don't have the resources or specifications to support Windows 11."

"Some minor features of Windows 10 are missing in Windows 11."

"The solution’s pricing could be improved."

"Accessing the network settings takes more time and can be cumbersome."

"From what I've been reading recently about the malware attacks on Windows Office 365 users, I might have some concerns about securing the OS."

More Windows 11 cons

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."

"Windows 11's pricing is fair."

"The product is well-priced."

"I would rate the solution's pricing an eight out of ten."

"We take a yearly license, but payment-wise, it's better to pay monthly."

"The product is expensive. I rate its pricing a nine out of ten."

"I rate the tool's pricing an eight to nine out of ten."

"Windows 11 is not an expensive solution."

"I use the free home version."

More Windows 11 pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

14%

University

12%

Educational Organization

10%

Comms Service Provider

Computer Software Company

15%

Comms Service Provider

12%

University

Financial Services Firm

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

No data available

Questions from the Community

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?

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

See all answers

What is your primary use case for Rocky Linux?

I use the solution in my company to do some automation stuff to run Ansible, and it has an administration server to provide all the Linux control like a client node can be connected to that master ...

See all answers

What do you like most about Windows 11?

We use Windows 11 for our workstation’s daily operations.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Windows 11?

I have a university license, so I do not pay anything for Windows 11.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Windows 11?

Drives are a significant issue, and finding the correct drives for everything to function properly is challenging. I also faced issues with Teams, although it's unclear whether this is related to W...

See all answers

Comparisons

Ubuntu Linux vs Rocky Linux

Compared 27% of the time

Fedora Linux vs Rocky Linux

Compared 22% of the time

Oracle Linux vs Rocky Linux

Compared 16% of the time

Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) vs Rocky Linux

Compared 9% of the time

Windows 10 vs Rocky Linux

Compared 1% of the time

More Rocky Linux Competitors

Windows Server vs Windows 11

Compared 75% of the time

Ubuntu Linux vs Windows 11

Compared 6% of the time

Kali Linux vs Windows 11

Compared 6% of the time

openSUSE Leap vs Windows 11

Compared 3% of the time

Fedora Linux vs Windows 11

Compared 2% of the time

More Windows 11 Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Operating Systems (OS) for Business

March 2025

Download Rocky Linux product report

Buyer's Guide

Windows 11

March 2025

Download Windows 11 product report

Overview

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

Windows 11 provides a streamlined, user-friendly experience combining enhanced graphics and superior performance. It supports a wide array of tasks from professional work activities to gaming and supports Microsoft Office applications seamlessly.

Windows 11 stands out with its intuitive setup, comprehensive network analytics, and robust security features. It is adopted in production, educational, and development environments for tasks like front-end automation and business processes. Users benefit from improved multitasking capabilities with screen snapping and seamless application integration. The operating system also supports AI initiatives, offering automatic screen recording and advanced animation features.

What key features does Windows 11 offer?

User-friendly interface with updated design and stability
Seamless Microsoft Office integration
Enhanced multitasking support with screen snapping
Comprehensive security with Windows Defender
AI and animation support including automatic screen recording
Improved taskbar and icon grouping for better efficiency

What benefits can users expect from Windows 11?

Enhanced productivity through efficient booting
Robust security measures to protect sensitive data
Valuable performance insights and statistics
Intuitive setup process minimizing downtime
Strong compatibility with Microsoft Office boosting versatility

Organizations implement Windows 11 in production environments to optimize workflows while educational institutions leverage its features for collaborative learning. Developers use it to streamline coding and testing, benefiting from its automation and multitasking capabilities.

Microsoft

Buyer's Guide

Rocky Linux vs. Windows 11

March 2025

Free Report: Rocky Linux vs. Windows 11

Find out what your peers are saying about Rocky Linux vs. Windows 11 and other solutions. Updated: March 2025.

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