Oracle Linux vs. Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)
Product | Rating | Most Used By | Product Summary | Starting Price |
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Oracle Linux | N/A | Oracle Linux, which is application binary compatible with Red Hat Enterprise Linux, is free to download, use, and share. There is no license cost, no need for a contract, and no usage audits. 24/7 enterprise-grade support is available for business critical environments. A single support offering includes virtualization, management, HA, and cloud native computing tools such as Kubernetes and Kata Containers, along with the Linux operating system. The vendor states that as the only Linux… | $0 per month | |
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) | N/A | Red Hat Enterprise Linux is a Linux distribution mainly used in commercial data centers. | N/A |
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Editions & Modules | No answers on this topic | No answers on this topic | ||||||||||||||
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Entry-level Setup Fee | No setup fee | No setup fee | ||||||||||||||
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Oracle Linux | Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) | |
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Considered Both Products | Oracle Linux | Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) |
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Oracle Linux | Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) | |
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Highlights |
Research Team Insight Published Oracle Linux and Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) are both distributions of the Linux open-source operating system. Oracle Linux is a free distribution used mainly by small to mid level outfits with existing Oracle databases, while RHEL is favored by enterprise-level businesses that prioritize stability and uptime. FeaturesThough Oracle Linux and RHEL have similar uses, there are standout features of each. Oracle Linux comes pre-configured for Oracle database systems, so businesses who already use Oracle products will be happy with how well Oracle Linux integrates with their existing system. Users cite support as Oracle Linux’s biggest strength, as support is readily available and can help even with complicated issues. For those using multiple Oracle products, different support departments from each product can work together to solve difficult problems quickly. Security and bug fixes are another strength of the distribution, and installation is relatively simple. Oracle Linux is also compatible with many types of hardware. Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) is a lighting-fast Linux distribution used mostly at the enterprise level. Users report replacing their entire Windows systems with RHEL and cutting their tech support requirements considerably, due to RHEL’s near-complete stability and unprecedented uptime. For those running servers that absolutely must stay up and running at all costs, RHEL is second to none. Security is top-notch as well, and security patches are released regularly. LimitationsEach of these products has its own set of limitations that may be considered when choosing between them. Though Oracle Linux is stable and well supported, users report that the graphical interface for desktop users is lacking and could be improved. While it works well in an Oracle database environment, it can be difficult to configure and use alongside competing brands of software. Bug fixes and feature upgrades can take a long time to arrive, and Oracle Linux for cloud environments needs work In prioritizing its rock-hard stability, RHEL has acquired a reputation for sacrificing innovation. New features and upgrades that would keep it competitive with other Linux distributions are not a priority for RHEL, and it shows. It’s designed mostly for high-level systems, so it’s not very user friendly for the layperson or newbie. The cost of RHEL can add up over the years, especially at the higher pricing tiers with more robust support. And if you want to switch between RHEL products or pricing tiers, upgrade/downgrade policies can be overly complex. PricingOracle Linux is free to download, use and share. Support can be purchased at various tiers: $1200 per year for basic support, and $2300 for premier support. Contact Oracle for lifetime support pricing. RHEL offers yearly pricing for the different versions of its operating systems. Prices range from $99 per year for a barebones, no-support dev environment to $10,000 per year for a fully-featured version with four-hour support response times. |
Oracle Linux | Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) | |
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Small Businesses | Ubuntu Score 8.9 out of 10 | Ubuntu Score 8.9 out of 10 |
Medium-sized Companies | Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) Score 9.3 out of 10 | ![]() IBM AIX Score 9.1 out of 10 |
Enterprises | Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) Score 9.3 out of 10 | ![]() IBM AIX Score 9.1 out of 10 |
All Alternatives | View all alternatives | View all alternatives |
Oracle Linux | Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) | |
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Likelihood to Recommend | 9.7 (90 ratings) | 9.3 (109 ratings) |
Likelihood to Renew | 8.0 (1 ratings) | 9.0 (1 ratings) |
Usability | - (0 ratings) | 9.0 (1 ratings) |
Support Rating | 8.2 (81 ratings) | 8.5 (7 ratings) |
Implementation Rating | - (0 ratings) | 9.0 (1 ratings) |
Oracle Linux | Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) | |
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Likelihood to Recommend | Oracle
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Pros | Oracle
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Cons | Oracle
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Likelihood to Renew | Oracle No answers on this topic | Red Hat
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Usability | Oracle No answers on this topic | Red Hat
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Support Rating | Oracle
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Implementation Rating | Oracle No answers on this topic | Red Hat
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Alternatives Considered | Oracle
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Return on Investment | Oracle
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