Linux is one of the most popular operating systems on Earth right now and the most populated software on Earth, Android, is also based on Linux. There are a ton of Linux distributions that are different versions of the software, like Ubuntu and Red Hat, running on different platforms.
Ubuntu vs Red Hat
The main difference between Ubuntu and Red Hat is that Ubuntu is an open-source operating system by Canonical that is free and freely transferable to use on any platform whereas Red Hat is a server development software by Red Hat software and operating system that requires a paywall to be passed to access it.
Ubuntu is an operating system developed by Canonical Systems which is under the Linux family of operating systems. It was developed in 2004 for the internet of things. Ubuntu is used not only in Android and other personal computing devices but also in devices like remotes, washing machines, and other devices.
Red Hat is another Linux distribution system that was developed by the company Red Hat Software which was initiated in 1995 and has since developed a lot. It is made for enterprises and shares a lot of code and commands with Ubuntu because they are both based on Linux. Red Hat is made for the development of enterprise applications.
Comparison Table Between Ubuntu and Red Hat
| Parameters of Comparison | Ubuntu | Red Hat |
| Launch Date | Ubuntu was released initially on 20 October 2004. | Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) was initially released on 13 May 1995. |
| Target | Ubuntu is an easy-to-use consumer-end operating system for end-users. | Red Hat is an open-source operating system for application development and management. |
| Software Support | Ubuntu promised 5 years of OS updates. | Red Hat Enterprises Linux promises 10 years of OS updates. |
| Ease of Use | As it is consumer-oriented, Ubuntu is the easiest Linux-based operating system. | Red Hat is relatively harder to use and implement as it is meant for programmers and app developers. |
| Licensing | Ubuntu is completely free and open-source and can be copied and transferred legally. | Red Hat is not free to use while still being open source. It requires a purchase depending on different servers. |
What is Ubuntu?
Ubuntu is an operating system that was made under the Linux family of operating systems in 2004 as a replacement for Debian, which was another Linux distribution. The word Ubuntu means humanity to others. It gained massive popularity as an alternative to Windows because of its ease of use and high functionality and modifications.
Ubuntu uses GNOME, which is a graphical desktop environment that provides Ubuntu with its famous and easy-to-use Graphical User Interface. Ubuntu has wide support for all kinds of software ranging from Microsoft manufactured ones to many more that are developer-oriented as well.
Ubuntu is widely regarded as a more secure option due to its high flexibility. The software is open-source therefore a plethora of users are introducing bug fixes and other software improvements in the code which makes Ubuntu a constantly developing platform and there are also no major viruses identified for Ubuntu.
Another interesting feature of Ubuntu is that it comes in various flavors which are different skins of the same operating system. Examples of these flavors are Kubuntu, Lubuntu, and Xubuntu. All major applications that a consumer might need like Spotify, writing applications, etc. are all available on Ubuntu, and even if some aren’t, very close substitutes are always present.
What is Red Hat?
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) is an open-source operating system under the Linux distributions family which is made by software company Red Hat Software, which makes software and provides management and support on this software to enterprises.
Red Hat offers a high range of usability and cross-device support. It can be used to develop computers, servers, and data clouds, or cloud servers. It is widely meant for commercial use and is subject to a licensing fee therefore it is not free like Ubuntu. It can still be modified subject to trademarks.
RHEL is a successor of Fedora‘s core and is also the updated version of Red Hat Linux which was discontinued in 2004. Red Hat Enterprise Linux is highly stable and can be purchased in monthly or annual subscriptions. It is one of the popular Linux distributions as it is also open-source in nature, therefore, offering high modifiability.
Red Hat also promises 10 years of dedicated software support to applications developed using the Red Hat Enterprise Linux. Some Features of RHEL include development tools, high security, high stability, virtualization, etc. It also offers a very responsive DE (Development Environment). It has also been upgraded to feature wider gadget support, an on-screen console, and multi-screen support.
Main Differences Between Ubuntu and Red Hat
- Ubuntu is open source and free to distribute whereas Red Hat is open source but not free to distribute and has to be purchased.
- Ubuntu is meant to be used as a consumer end software on personal computers whereas Red Hat is used for the development of applications and servers for enterprises.
- The system requirements to run Ubuntu are minimum of 2 GB of RAM and 25 GB of free hard disk space whereas Red Hat requires a minimum of 10 GB of free hard disk space and 2 GB of RAM.
- Ubuntu provides much more frequent software updates and support than Red Hat and also has a software utility tool.
- Ubuntu has a stricter release schedule with Long Term Support releasing every 2 years in April as compared to Red Hat which has a more relaxed release schedule.
Conclusion
Linux is one of the most popular developments and operating systems to its high customizability and open-source nature. There are more than a hundred Linux distribution systems such and two that are hugely popular due to their features are Ubuntu and Red Hat.
Ubuntu is a software enthusiast’s first choice due to the availability of many options and sideloading of applications along with its 6-month release schedule for new versions. Red Hat is very popular for enterprise application development as it promises 10 years of support to those who purchase and use it. It is based on the Linux kernel which is constantly being improved by developers as it is free to contribute and use.
References
- https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/978-1-4302-3627-6.pdf
- http://www.daseq.de/fileadmin/pressebilder/OpenSouceDay2014/RHEL7_Overview.pdf