Knowledge Base

Choosing the Right Linux Distribution

When you order a VPS, one of the first decisions is which operating system to install. Most servers run Linux, but distributions vary in philosophy, package management, release cadence, and community support. This guide compares the most common choices available on Sitequest so you can pick the one that fits your project.

What is a Linux Distribution?

A Linux distribution (distro) bundles the Linux kernel with a package manager, default software, init system, and configuration conventions. The kernel is the same across distros, but everything around it — how you install software, how often you receive updates, and how long each release is supported — differs significantly.

Ubuntu

Ubuntu is one of the most popular server distributions. It is based on Debian and maintained by Canonical.

Package manager: apt (.deb packages)

Release cycle: A new version every six months. Every two years a Long Term Support (LTS) release is published with five years of free security updates and up to ten years with an Ubuntu Pro subscription.

Best for:

  • Beginners — extensive documentation, large community, most tutorials target Ubuntu
  • Web servers, application hosting, containers
  • Projects that need recent software without compiling from source

Considerations:

  • LTS versions are the recommended choice for servers — avoid non-LTS releases in production
  • Snap packages are enabled by default, which some administrators prefer to disable

Debian

Debian is the upstream project that Ubuntu is built on. It prioritises stability and a strict free-software policy.

Package manager: apt (.deb packages)

Release cycle: A new stable release roughly every two years, supported with security updates for approximately three years. Debian also offers an LTS programme extending support to five years.

Best for:

  • Stability-focused production servers — packages are thoroughly tested before release
  • Minimal installs with low resource overhead
  • Administrators who want full control without vendor-specific tooling

Considerations:

  • Packages in stable can be older than what Ubuntu ships
  • Smaller community compared to Ubuntu, though Debian documentation is excellent

AlmaLinux

AlmaLinux is a community-driven, binary-compatible fork of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). It was created after CentOS shifted to a rolling-release model (CentOS Stream).

Package manager: dnf (.rpm packages)

Release cycle: Follows RHEL releases. Each major version receives security updates for approximately ten years.

Best for:

  • Enterprise workloads that need long support cycles
  • Applications certified for RHEL (cPanel, Plesk, SAP)
  • Teams migrating from CentOS 7 or CentOS 8

Considerations:

  • Smaller package repositories compared to Debian/Ubuntu — you may need EPEL (Extra Packages for Enterprise Linux) for additional software
  • Some cloud-native tooling defaults to Debian-based images

Quick Comparison

Ubuntu LTS Debian Stable AlmaLinux
Base Debian Independent RHEL
Package format .deb / apt .deb / apt .rpm / dnf
Support lifetime 5 years (10 with Pro) ~3 years (5 with LTS) ~10 years
Default init systemd systemd systemd
Best for General purpose Stability purists Enterprise / RHEL compat
Package freshness Moderate Conservative Conservative
Community size Very large Large Growing

How to Decide

  1. Starting out or following tutorials? Pick Ubuntu LTS. Most guides and Stack Overflow answers assume Ubuntu.
  2. Want maximum stability with minimal surprises? Pick Debian Stable. Fewer updates, fewer breakages.
  3. Running enterprise software or need decade-long support? Pick AlmaLinux.
  4. Migrating from CentOS? Pick AlmaLinux — it is a drop-in replacement.

If you are unsure, Ubuntu LTS is the safest default. You can always reinstall with a different distribution later from the Sitequest dashboard without losing your billing plan.

Next Steps