AlmaLinux is one of the most popular alternatives to Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) . It is a 1:1 binary-compatible RHEL clone, which provides the same functionality, stability, and compatibility as RHEL but is entirely free and open-source. AlmaLinux was created to fill the gap when CentOS shifted its focus from being a downstream RHEL clone to an upstream development platform with CentOS Stream.

Here’s a detailed overview of AlmaLinux as an alternative to RHEL:

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What is AlmaLinux?

• AlmaLinux is a community-driven, enterprise-grade Linux distribution based on RHEL.
• It was launched in 2021 by CloudLinux, a company known for providing hosting and server solutions.
• The project is now governed by the AlmaLinux OS Foundation , ensuring it remains independent, community-driven, and sustainable.

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Key Features of AlmaLinux

1. 1:1 Binary Compatibility with RHEL:
   • AlmaLinux is designed to be a drop-in replacement for RHEL. This means you can migrate workloads from RHEL to AlmaLinux with minimal effort.
2. Free and Open Source:
   • Unlike RHEL, which requires a subscription for official support and updates, AlmaLinux is entirely free to use, even in production environments.
3. Long-Term Support (LTS):
   • AlmaLinux follows the same lifecycle as RHEL, offering 10 years of support for each major release.
4. Community-Driven Development:
   • The project is governed by the AlmaLinux OS Foundation, which ensures transparency and community involvement.
5. Enterprise-Grade Stability:
   • Like RHEL, AlmaLinux is optimized for servers, data centers, and enterprise environments, providing robust performance and reliability.
6. Wide Hardware and Software Compatibility:
   • AlmaLinux supports a broad range of hardware architectures (x86_64, ARM, PowerPC, etc.) and works seamlessly with software designed for RHEL.
7. Regular Updates:
   • AlmaLinux receives updates and security patches shortly after they are released for RHEL.
8. Migration Tools:
   • AlmaLinux provides tools like almalinux-deploy to simplify migration from RHEL or CentOS to AlmaLinux.

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How Does AlmaLinux Compare to Other RHEL Alternatives?

Feature/Aspect	AlmaLinux	Rocky Linux	CentOS Stream	Oracle Linux
Binary Compatibility	1:1 RHEL Clone	1:1 RHEL Clone	Upstream Development Platform	Partially Compatible
Free to Use	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes (without Oracle Support)
Support Lifecycle	10 Years	10 Years	Shorter (depends on RHEL version)	10 Years
Governance	Community-Driven (AlmaLinux OS Foundation)	Community-Driven (Rocky Enterprise Software Foundation)	Red Hat-Controlled	Oracle-Controlled
Best For	Enterprises, Servers, Data Centers	Enterprises, Servers, Data Centers	Developers, Early Adopters	Oracle Ecosystem Users

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Why Choose AlmaLinux Over RHEL?

1. Cost Savings:
   • RHEL requires a paid subscription for access to updates and support, while AlmaLinux is completely free.
2. No Vendor Lock-In:
   • AlmaLinux is community-driven and not controlled by a single company, reducing dependency on a specific vendor.
3. Stability and Reliability:
   • AlmaLinux inherits the stability and robustness of RHEL, making it ideal for mission-critical workloads.
4. Compatibility:
   • If your organization already uses RHEL or CentOS, migrating to AlmaLinux is straightforward due to its binary compatibility.
5. Active Community and Support:
   • AlmaLinux has a growing community and offers free support through forums, mailing lists, and documentation.

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How to Get Started with AlmaLinux

1. Download:
   • Visit the official website: https://almalinux.org
   • Download the ISO image for your desired version.
2. Installation:
   • AlmaLinux installation is similar to RHEL or CentOS. You can use tools like Anaconda for graphical or text-based installation.
3. Migration from RHEL/CentOS:
   • Use the almalinux-deploy script to migrate existing systems:
   • curl -O https://raw.githubusercontent.com/AlmaLinux/almalinux-deploy/master/almalinux-deploy.sh
   • sudo bash almalinux-deploy.sh
4. Updates and Repositories:
   • AlmaLinux uses the same package management system (yum or dnf) as RHEL. Update your system using:
   • sudo dnf update

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Other Popular RHEL Alternatives

If AlmaLinux doesn’t meet your needs, here are some other options:

1. Rocky Linux:
   • The founders of CentOS created another 1:1 RHEL clone. In terms of features and governance, it’s very similar to AlmaLinux.
2. CentOS Stream:
   • A rolling-release version of CentOS that serves as the upstream development platform for RHEL. It’s less stable than AlmaLinux or Rocky Linux but allows early access to new features.
3. Oracle Linux:
   • Based on RHEL, Oracle Linux is free to use, but offers paid support for Oracle-specific features.
4. Springdale Linux:
   • A lesser-known RHEL clone maintained by Princeton University.

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Conclusion

AlmaLinux is an excellent choice for organizations and individuals seeking a free, stable, and enterprise-grade alternative to RHEL. Its binary compatibility, long-term support, and active community make it a reliable option for production environments. If you’re using RHEL or CentOS, migrating to AlmaLinux is seamless and cost-effective.