Linux Distribution Guide: Ubuntu, Debian, AlmaLinux
Choose the right Linux distribution for your VPS: comparison of Ubuntu LTS, Debian, AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux, pros and cons, use cases and recommendations.
Table of Contents
Linux Distribution Guide: Ubuntu, Debian, AlmaLinux
One of the first choices you face when ordering a VPS is the operating system. Ubuntu, Debian, or AlmaLinux? Each distribution has its own strengths, weaknesses, and ideal use cases. This guide helps you choose the distribution that best fits your needs.
Why Does Distribution Choice Matter?
Your Linux distribution choice affects:
- Package manager and software ecosystem: apt vs dnf
- Update cycle: Frequent updates vs long-term support
- Community and documentation: Ease of problem-solving
- Enterprise support: Commercial support options
- Security updates: How quickly patches arrive
Major Distribution Comparison
| Feature | Ubuntu 24.04 LTS | Debian 12 | AlmaLinux 9 | Rocky Linux 9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base | Debian | Independent | RHEL | RHEL |
| Package Manager | apt | apt | dnf | dnf |
| LTS Support | 5 years (10 ESM) | ~5 years | 10 years | 10 years |
| Release Frequency | Every 6 months | Every 2 years | Follows RHEL | Follows RHEL |
| Community Size | Very large | Large | Medium | Medium |
| Enterprise Use | Common | Common | Very common | Common |
| Beginner Friendly | Very | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate |
| Server Focused | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Ubuntu LTS: Best Choice for Getting Started
Ubuntu is the most widely used Linux distribution worldwide. Ubuntu LTS (Long Term Support) releases are particularly ideal for server environments.
Pros
- Large community: Easy to find solutions for any problem
- Up-to-date software: New versions arrive quickly
- Snap and PPA support: Additional software sources
- Cloud-init integration: Fast setup in cloud environments
- Docker and Kubernetes: Excellent container support
- Comprehensive documentation: Resources in many languages
Cons
- Snap packages are controversial (some users dislike them)
- Can be less stable than Debian
- Canonical's commercial decisions sometimes conflict with the community
Who Is It For?
# Ubuntu 24.04 LTS post-install basic check
lsb_release -a
# Ubuntu 24.04.x LTS
# Package manager
apt update && apt upgrade -y
# Popular software installs easily
apt install nginx docker.io python3-pip nodejs npm -y
Ubuntu is ideal for:
- Linux beginners
- Web application developers
- Docker/Kubernetes users
- Node.js, Python, Ruby developers
- Rapid prototyping
Debian: The Symbol of Stability
Debian is the parent distribution that Ubuntu is based on. Known for its "universal operating system" slogan, it stands out for its stability.
Pros
- Exceptional stability: Packages go through extensive testing
- Minimal installation: No unnecessary software
- Long-lived: Servers run for years without issues
- Security-focused: Security patches arrive quickly
- Free software philosophy: Completely open source
Cons
- Software versions are older than Ubuntu
- Less user-friendly (for beginners)
- Slow update cycle (major release every 2 years)
Who Is It For?
# Debian 12 (Bookworm) basic info
cat /etc/debian_version
# 12.x
# Newer software via backports
echo "deb http://deb.debian.org/debian bookworm-backports main" >> /etc/apt/sources.list
apt update
apt install -t bookworm-backports nginx
Debian is ideal for:
- Those who prioritize stability over performance
- Long-term server operators
- Those wanting minimal resource usage
- Experienced Linux administrators
- Database servers
AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux: Enterprise Class
These Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)-compatible distributions are designed for enterprise environments. They emerged to replace CentOS.
AlmaLinux vs Rocky Linux Difference
| Feature | AlmaLinux | Rocky Linux |
|---|---|---|
| Founder | CloudLinux | Gregory Kurtzer (CentOS founder) |
| Focus | RHEL compatibility | RHEL clone |
| Community | Active | Very active |
| Enterprise Support | Yes | Yes |
Pros
- 10-year support: Long-term security updates
- RHEL compatibility: Enterprise software works seamlessly
- SELinux: Advanced security policies
- Enterprise ecosystem: Compatible with cPanel, Plesk, etc.
- Free RHEL alternative: RHEL experience without commercial support
Cons
- Fewer community resources (compared to Ubuntu)
- Software versions are older
- dnf/rpm ecosystem less widespread than apt
Who Is It For?
# AlmaLinux 9 basic info
cat /etc/almalinux-release
# AlmaLinux release 9.x
# Package manager
dnf update -y
# EPEL repository (for additional software)
dnf install epel-release -y
dnf install htop fail2ban -y
# SELinux status
getenforce
# Enforcing (active)
AlmaLinux/Rocky is ideal for:
- cPanel/WHM users
- Running enterprise applications
- Environments requiring RHEL certification
- Those wanting long-term support
- PHP/MySQL-based web hosting
Recommendation Table by Use Case
| Use Case | Recommended | Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Web dev (Node.js/Python) | Ubuntu 24.04 LTS | Debian 12 |
| WordPress/PHP hosting | AlmaLinux 9 | Ubuntu 24.04 LTS |
| Docker/Kubernetes | Ubuntu 24.04 LTS | Debian 12 |
| Database server | Debian 12 | AlmaLinux 9 |
| Game server | Ubuntu 24.04 LTS | Debian 12 |
| cPanel/WHM | AlmaLinux 9 | Rocky Linux 9 |
| Enterprise app | AlmaLinux 9 | Rocky Linux 9 |
| Beginner | Ubuntu 24.04 LTS | — |
| Minimal resources | Debian 12 | — |
Which Version Should I Choose?
For Ubuntu
# Always prefer LTS releases
# 2024: Ubuntu 24.04 LTS (Noble Numbat)
# 2026: Ubuntu 26.04 LTS (upcoming)
# Non-LTS releases (like 23.10) only get 9 months of support
# NEVER use non-LTS releases for servers
For Debian
# Use the Stable release (currently: Debian 12 Bookworm)
# Do not use Testing or Unstable on servers
# Version check
cat /etc/debian_version
For AlmaLinux/Rocky
# Use the latest major release (currently: 9.x)
# 8.x can also be used for RHEL 8 compatibility
# Version check
cat /etc/almalinux-release
# or
cat /etc/rocky-release
Changing Distributions
Switching from one distribution to another generally requires a reinstall. You can reinstall the OS from the REXE panel:
- Back up your important data
- Select your server in the REXE panel
- Use the "Reinstall OS" option
- Select the new distribution
- Apply the new configuration after installation completes
OS reinstallation deletes all data. Always take a backup first.
Conclusion
If you're new to Linux, start with Ubuntu 24.04 LTS — it has the largest community support and documentation. If stability is your priority, choose Debian 12; for enterprise environments or cPanel, choose AlmaLinux 9. All three distributions perform excellently on REXE infrastructure.
Related Articles
VPS First Setup Guide: Secure Server Checklist
Step-by-step VPS initial setup: first SSH login, system update, creating a non-root user, SSH hardening, firewall and fail2ban installation for a secure server.
VPS vs VDS vs Dedicated Server: Technical Comparison
Technical differences between VPS, VDS and Dedicated servers: virtualization types, performance comparison, use cases, pricing considerations and when to upgrade.