Why most servers run Linux, and which distribution to pick

Most of the internet runs on Linux servers. It is free, light on memory, very stable and extremely well documented. When you order a Linux VPS, you also pick a distribution: a packaged version of Linux, such as Ubuntu, Debian, AlmaLinux or Rocky Linux. They share the same core but differ in how often they change, how long they are supported and which tools they use.

This guide explains why Linux suits servers, compares the distributions you are most likely to be offered, and recommends one for beginners. The short version: if you are unsure, choose the latest Ubuntu LTS, because almost every guide, including those on this site, is written for it.

What is in this guide

• A few words you will see
• Why Linux suits servers
• The main distributions
• Side by side
• How commands differ
• Which one to pick
• Distributions to avoid on a server
• Keeping an eye on support dates
• Limits
• When to step up

A few words you will see

Term	What it means
Distribution	A complete Linux system packaged by one project, with its own tools and release schedule.
Release	One version of a distribution.
LTS	Long-term support: a release that gets security updates for several years.
Package manager	The tool that installs and updates software, such as apt or dnf.
RHEL	Red Hat Enterprise Linux, a commercial distribution that AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux are built to match.
End of support	The date a release stops receiving security updates.

Why Linux suits servers

• Free. No licence fees for the system or most server software.
• Light. A minimal server uses roughly 100 to 200 MB of memory, leaving the rest for your apps. That is why small plans work so well with Linux.
• Stable. Servers often run for months between reboots, and long-term releases change little once out.
• Well documented. Almost every server app, guide and tutorial assumes Linux.
• Easy to automate. Everything can be done with commands, so it can be scripted and repeated exactly.
• Secure updates. Security fixes arrive quickly and can install automatically.
• Built for the web. Docker, most web servers, databases and programming languages are developed on Linux first.

The main reason not to choose Linux is software that only runs on Windows. Windows VPS or Linux VPS? covers that choice.

The main distributions

Ubuntu LTS. The most popular choice for VPS beginners. A new LTS release comes out every two years and gets several years of free security updates. Its huge user base means almost any question has been answered online already. Most guides on this site are written for it.

Debian. The community distribution that Ubuntu is built on. It changes slowly, is very stable and is lean by default. Most Ubuntu instructions work on Debian with small changes, though some tools are not installed by default, such as UFW. Releases come roughly every two years, with security support for several years.

AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux. Free, community-built distributions designed to match RHEL closely. They are common in businesses that use Red Hat tools, and supported by some commercial control panels and business software. Each major release has a long support period, often around ten years. They use different tools from Ubuntu and Debian, such as dnf and firewalld, so guides written for Ubuntu need translating.

Your VPS control panel lists the distributions and releases available for your plan. Pick from those.

Side by side

General traits. Check each project's official pages for exact support dates.

	Ubuntu LTS	Debian	AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux
Based on	Debian	Its own community	Built to match RHEL
Package tool	apt	apt	dnf
Firewall tool	UFW, usually included	UFW, install it yourself, or nftables	firewalld
Free security support	Several years per LTS release	Several years per release	Long, often around ten years
Software versions	Fairly recent at release	Older and very tested	Older and very tested
Guides for beginners	The most	Many	Fewer, more business-focused
Extra security system	AppArmor	AppArmor	SELinux, which can block software until configured
Best for	Beginners and most VPS jobs	Lean, stable servers	RHEL-compatible software and long support

How commands differ

Task	Ubuntu and Debian	AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux
Refresh and update	sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade	sudo dnf upgrade
Install a package	sudo apt install nginx	sudo dnf install nginx
Search for a package	apt search name	dnf search name
Open a firewall port	sudo ufw allow 443/tcp	sudo firewall-cmd --permanent --add-service=https, then sudo firewall-cmd --reload
Admin group for sudo	sudo	wheel
Automatic security updates	unattended-upgrades	dnf-automatic
Service management	systemctl	systemctl

Service management, logs, SSH and most everyday tools work the same on all of them.

Which one to pick

Your situation	A good choice
First server, or following guides on this site	The latest Ubuntu LTS
You want a lean, stable server and are comfortable adapting guides	Debian
Software or a control panel that asks for RHEL, AlmaLinux or Rocky Linux	AlmaLinux or Rocky Linux, as the software's documentation says
You use Red Hat tools at work and want to practise	AlmaLinux or Rocky Linux
Running mostly Docker apps	Any of them. Ubuntu or Debian are simplest

Whatever you choose, pick a supported long-term release, not an old one that is near its end of support.

Distributions to avoid on a server

• Short-support releases, such as Ubuntu's interim releases. They need upgrading every few months.
• Rolling releases, which update constantly. Great on a desktop for the newest software, but more likely to surprise you on a server.
• Old releases near end of support. You will have to upgrade soon. See upgrading an Ubuntu server safely.
• Distributions with few users, unless you know them well. Fewer users means fewer answers when something goes wrong.

Keeping an eye on support dates

Every release eventually stops getting security updates. Check your release with:

cat /etc/os-release

Then look up its support dates on the project's official site, and put a reminder in your calendar several months ahead. When the date approaches, either upgrade or build a fresh server on the newer release and move across. Moving to a new VPS explains the second option, which is often cleaner.

Limits

• Support periods change. Projects sometimes extend or adjust them. Check official pages rather than relying on this guide.
• Extended support may cost money. Some distributions offer longer support through paid plans. Free support is what this guide describes.
• Guides need translating. Commands for one family do not always work on another.
• Linux is unmanaged on RackNerd. Updates and security are your job on any distribution. See a beginner's guide to securing your VPS.
• Fair use applies. Unmetered does not mean unlimited, and RackNerd's acceptable use policy covers what you run.

When to step up

The distribution rarely decides the plan size. Your apps do. Linux leaves most of a small plan free for them, so start small and step up when memory runs short after adding apps. How to read VPS specs helps you choose.

To compare what is available now, start with the cheapest RackNerd VPS guide and check the sales page.