From cloud infrastructure to small business servers, the Red Hat ecosystem continues to thrive through a diverse array of distributions.
In 2025, Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) remains one of the most trusted foundations in the Linux world. But beyond Red Hat itself, a thriving ecosystem of community-driven and enterprise-grade distributions has flourished — offering open-source, stable, and RHEL-compatible alternatives tailored to specific use cases.
This curated list highlights 10 of the most relevant Red Hat-based Linux distributions, organized not by popularity, but by strategic impact and diversity — starting with the most prominent successors to CentOS and expanding across niche solutions. Each entry includes an official website for easy access to downloads and documentation.
🥇 AlmaLinux OS
Focus: Enterprise servers, cloud infrastructure, CentOS replacement
Official site: https://almalinux.org
AlmaLinux emerged as a stable, production-ready drop-in replacement for CentOS after Red Hat shifted CentOS to a rolling-release model. Backed by the AlmaLinux OS Foundation, this distribution is widely adopted in cloud environments, enterprise deployments, and public institutions. Fully binary-compatible with RHEL, it is developed and maintained as a community-owned, open-source project — with corporate sponsorship but no vendor lock-in.
🥈 Rocky Linux
Focus: Enterprise systems, scientific computing, RHEL continuity
Official site: https://rockylinux.org
Rocky Linux, spearheaded by Gregory Kurtzer (co-founder of CentOS), was built to be the spiritual and technical continuation of CentOS. It offers 1:1 binary compatibility with RHEL and is governed by a community-focused structure. Rocky is already a favorite among universities, research labs, and high-performance computing environments.
🥉 CloudLinux OS
Focus: Shared hosting, multi-tenant web servers, cPanel integration
Official site: https://cloudlinux.com
Designed specifically for the hosting industry, CloudLinux OS enables safe and efficient resource separation on shared servers. Its Lightweight Virtual Environment (LVE) technology ensures users can’t interfere with each other — boosting security and performance. With native cPanel compatibility and kernel-level tweaks, it’s the go-to choice for hosting providers around the world.
CentOS Stream
Focus: RHEL preview, development and testing
Official site: https://www.centos.org
While no longer the stable RHEL clone it once was, CentOS Stream now functions as a rolling preview of what’s to come in RHEL. Developers and organizations use it to test compatibility and stay ahead of upcoming changes. It’s essential for those who need to validate applications against RHEL’s future — but not recommended for critical production workloads.
ClearOS
Focus: Small businesses, network gateway, server appliance
Official site: https://www.clearos.com
ClearOS is a CentOS- and RHEL-based distribution tailored for SMBs and remote offices. It combines server, network, and gateway functionality into a single web-managed system. Popular as a lightweight and secure option for firewalls, mail servers, and file sharing, it’s especially suited for non-technical administrators.
EuroLinux
Focus: European businesses, government institutions, compliance
Official site: https://en.euro-linux.com
Developed and supported by Polish-based EuroLinux Sp. z o.o., this distribution targets the European market with an emphasis on security, legal compliance, and local support. Fully compatible with RHEL and Oracle Linux, EuroLinux includes detailed documentation, automation tools, and a commercial-friendly license — making it ideal for both public and private sector use.
Fedora Linux
Focus: Power users, developers, innovation hub
Official site: https://fedoraproject.org
Sponsored by Red Hat, Fedora is where Linux innovation happens first. Many of its features — from Wayland to new systemd capabilities — debut here before making their way into RHEL. With rapid release cycles and cutting-edge packages, Fedora is ideal for developers, desktop users, and anyone who enjoys bleeding-edge technology within a polished experience.
MIRACLE LINUX
Focus: Enterprise environments, database optimization
Official site: https://miraclelinux.com (Japanese only)
Developed in Japan, MIRACLE LINUX focuses on business-critical applications, especially database platforms. Originally created for Oracle DB workloads, it now offers a RHEL-compatible base for general server use in Japanese corporate IT infrastructure. It prioritizes reliability, long-term maintenance, and compliance with local enterprise needs.
Oracle Linux
Focus: Mission-critical servers, Oracle ecosystem, cloud computing
Official site: https://www.oracle.com/linux
Released in 2006, Oracle Linux is built from RHEL source code and offers both Red Hat compatibility and its own enhancements, such as the Unbreakable Enterprise Kernel (UEK). It supports deployments on Oracle hardware, IBM, Cisco, and cloud platforms like AWS and Azure. Oracle Linux is used extensively in large enterprises, especially when paired with Oracle software stacks.
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)
Focus: Large-scale deployments, government, high-assurance systems
Official site: https://www.redhat.com/en/technologies/linux-platforms/enterprise-linux
RHEL is the gold standard for enterprise Linux. With certifications, 10-year support lifecycles, extensive documentation, and global partnerships, it’s the default choice for mission-critical environments. Red Hat’s subscription model includes premium support, security advisories, and access to certified ecosystems, making RHEL a strategic IT investment across industries.
📊 Final Thoughts: A Powerful and Evolving Ecosystem
Far from being a one-size-fits-all solution, the Red Hat family of Linux distributions offers a mature, diverse toolkit for every level of business, development, and administration. Whether you’re deploying thousands of cloud instances, building secure DMZs, managing a hosting platform, or running a home lab — there’s a RHEL-based distro purpose-built for your needs.
In 2025, with stable upstreams and vibrant communities, Red Hat-based distributions remain a pillar of enterprise-grade Linux infrastructure, blending tradition with innovation and community with scalability.
