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SUSE Linux Enterprise vs Ubuntu Linux comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Aug 7, 2024

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

SUSE Linux Enterprise
Ranking in Operating Systems (OS) for Business
6th
Average Rating
8.6
Reviews Sentiment
7.3
Number of Reviews
32
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
Ubuntu Linux
Ranking in Operating Systems (OS) for Business
2nd
Average Rating
8.6
Reviews Sentiment
7.7
Number of Reviews
139
Ranking in other categories
OpenStack (1st)
 

Mindshare comparison

As of March 2025, in the Operating Systems (OS) for Business category, the mindshare of SUSE Linux Enterprise is 7.3%, down from 9.1% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Ubuntu Linux is 14.5%, down from 23.0% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Operating Systems (OS) for Business
 

Featured Reviews

Dominique Locksley - PeerSpot reviewer
Has good kernel modules and upgrades
I like how the tool handles kernel modules and upgrades - we rarely have issues after upgrades, unlike with other Linux distributions like Oracle Linux or Ubuntu. The kernel module management is excellent. Changes made in one version typically work the same in other versions too, which isn't always the case with other distributions. There's also lots of information and community support available if you run into any problems, both on the official website and in forums and user groups. I know many people who use it specifically, so it's easy to get independent support if needed. I've been working with the tool for a long time, since 2003, before they became SUSE Linux Enterprise. It's always been one of the most admin-friendly Linux versions.
Kevin Haury - PeerSpot reviewer
Linux's advanced terminal empowers versatile usage and ongoing secure development
Initially, there was nothing complicated. It's easy since I have many years of experience with it. However, if I were a beginner with Linux, it could be completely disruptive compared to Windows. So, I would have to spend some time practicing with Linux to understand how it works and how I can accomplish the same tasks compared to Windows. Maybe one month, at least.

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"SUSE Linux Enterprise is stable."
"It is a stable platform."
"SUSE Linux Enterprise is scalable."
"The solution is easy to use, secure and allows for simple manipulation."
"From a functionality perspective, the suite is quite rich. We like that."
"It is very easy to maintain, migrate and upgrade."
"Out-of-the-box SLES supported all of our HBAs and hardware specific components."
"The most valuable feature is that there is an inbuilt HANA firewall."
"The solution is free to use."
"The solution is free to use and open-source."
"What makes Ubuntu easy to use is the large set of applications and the interface. The graphical interface is user friendly."
"It's faster than Windows."
"The solution has proven to be scalable. It can scale quite well."
"I like the flexibility."
"Ubuntu doesn't use a lot of resources. So I think that's pretty cool. It's totally like Microsoft."
"The solution is user-friendly."
 

Cons

"They should probably just make clustering a bit simpler and also provide more descriptive log files for cluster services."
"I would like to see better functionality for interacting with cloud-based systems."
"The software management side was a bit difficult, especially compared to Ubuntu."
"We previously had trouble integrating Autodesk with the SUSE Manager, but the issue was resolved."
"The platform doesn't support certain APMs."
"Compared with the competition, of late actually, the solution has increased its pricing tremendously."
"The free version sometimes has security holes."
"They should improve their educational portal."
"The solution could be more user-friendly, as I use Mac on a day to day basis."
"The support can be improved."
"The main challenge is restoring the system from a crashed state, which can be complicated for non-technical users."
"The stability could be improved."
"Ubuntu Linux could improve by having better documentation because sometimes their documentation is not very good."
"Similar to Windows 10, I would like the ability to manage it on Azure or integrate it with Azure."
"At times, it can be complex when we are trying to integrate or when we are trying to set up some features."
"They aren't as user-friendly as Microsoft. The solution can use a better UI."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"I would advise others to download the free or strictly open source versions, then test them in their environment before committing to a purchase. This will allow for testing suitability for applications that they want to run."
"I have to pay for a license in order to get support."
"The product's licensing options align well with the evolving landscape of Linux variants."
"The price is reasonable."
"When we first implemented this product, we had licenses for support."
"The price of SUSE Linux Enterprise could be cheaper. Other solutions, such as"
"SUSE Linux Enterprise is reasonably priced compared to other operating systems. I find it's a much better option for us than Oracle, for example, because of the pricing structure. The pricing is easier to explain to clients and makes it easier to get clients' commitment. The licensing is also simpler to manage and keep track of. Their responsiveness is great - they give feedback very quickly when we ask questions about licensing or other aspects. This helps ensure we're always at the gold standard regarding licensing and everything related to SUSE Linux Enterprise."
"There is no license for this solution, there is only a subscription of support available."
"The solution is open-sourced."
"There are no payments to be made towards any licensing costs attached to the solution."
"Ubuntu Linux is an open-source product that is free to use."
"Ubuntu Linux is open-source and available to use free of charge."
"Ubuntu Linux is an open-source product."
"Ubuntu Linux is more affordable than its competitors."
"The use of the solution is inexpensive and the hardware it needs to operate can be priced very low. There is not a license for the solution but there is for the hardware."
"The solution is open source, so there is no licensing fee."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
15%
Manufacturing Company
12%
Government
9%
Financial Services Firm
8%
Computer Software Company
14%
University
11%
Manufacturing Company
9%
Educational Organization
8%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
 

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about SUSE Linux Enterprise?
The initial setup is simple and takes five minutes for deployment and if you have automation in place, it will take four minutes.
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for SUSE Linux Enterprise?
I used the open-source version, so there were no setup costs.
What needs improvement with SUSE Linux Enterprise?
The software management side was a bit difficult, especially compared to Ubuntu. The software manager was different, making it challenging to install certain applications. Additionally, I encounter...
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...
What do you like most about Ubuntu Linux?
It has a good support system for loading databases.
 

Also Known As

No data available
Ubuntu
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

Air India, Akademicki Szpital Kliniczny (ASK), Allone, Altran, Apollo, ARCHIVA, Asia Innovatory Management School, ATLAS ELEKTRONIK GmbH, AutoData Norge AS, Baldor Electric, Business Connexion, CASIO, Ciclum Farma, Delta Lloyd, Edumate , HPE,  SAP SE,  Lenovo, BMW, T-Systems, UCX, Turners & Growers, Shenzhen Development Bank, Bosch Group, JK Tyres & Industries, IOCL, European Space Agency, Daimler AG, China Minsheng Banking Corp, Café Coffee Day, Unisys,  Petrochina Company Ltd, Fitch Ratings, ABeam Consulting Co Ltd, Tyro Payments, Rackspace, Pacific Textiles, ...
Samsung, eBay, AT&T, Walmart, Cisco, Time Warner Cable, Bloomberg, Best Buy, Dell, Intel, Microsoft, Ericsson, Orange, Wells Fargo
Find out what your peers are saying about SUSE Linux Enterprise vs. Ubuntu Linux and other solutions. Updated: March 2025.
842,296 professionals have used our research since 2012.