Where each enterprise Linux distribution stands, and where it is heading. Scored on what shipped. The overview puts every angle and an overall index in one place; the map below compares any two scores. Click a distribution anywhere for its full scorecard.
The Enterprise Linux Ledger scores 16 enterprise linux distributions on capability, credibility, buyer risk, lock-in and AI, using public release records only (edition 2026-10-16). Top 5 by Ledger Index out of 100: RHEL (77.8), Ubuntu (75.7), SLES (69.8), AlmaLinux (63.7), Oracle Linux (63.6). The full table is below; each name links to its scorecard, and the methodology explains every score.
| # | Name | Ledger Index /100 | Capability /100 | Credibility /25 | Commercial risk /25 | Lock-in /25 | AI /20 | Archetype |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Red Hat Enterprise Linux | 77.8 | 89.5 | 20.5 | 13 | 4 | 11.5 | Real innovator |
| 2 | Ubuntu Server with Ubuntu Pro | 75.7 | 85 | 21.5 | 8 | 3 | 6.5 | Calendar-driven builder |
| 3 | SUSE Linux Enterprise Server | 69.8 | 82 | 19 | 12 | 6 | 7 | Dependable builder |
| 4 | AlmaLinux OS | 63.7 | 71.5 | 19 | 9.5 | 2 | 3 | Dependable builder |
| 5 | Oracle Linux | 63.6 | 73.5 | 16.5 | 6.5 | 5 | 3 | Long-window upstream packager |
| 6 | Debian | 61.4 | 66 | 19 | 5 | 2 | 2 | Volunteer upstream base |
| 7 | Rocky Linux (RESF, with Rocky Linux from CIQ) | 59.1 | 68.5 | 16 | 12.5 | 2 | 4 | Rebuild with one backer |
| 8 | Amazon Linux 2023 | 58.7 | 63 | 17 | 6 | 8 | 4 | Integrated stack, one cloud |
| 9 | Flatcar Container Linux | 58.5 | 65 | 18.5 | 9.5 | 5 | 3 | Dependable builder with one sponsor |
| 10 | Bottlerocket | 57.2 | 62.5 | 17.5 | 5 | 11 | 4.5 | Kubernetes-paced upstream rider |
| 11 | openSUSE Leap | 56.9 | 63 | 16.5 | 9 | 4 | 2 | Community twin of SLES |
| 12 | Azure Linux (formerly CBL-Mariner) | 56.2 | 52.5 | 16 | 7.5 | 10.5 | 3.5 | Integrated stack inside AKS |
| 13 | openEuler (OpenAtom Foundation) | 55.7 | 55.5 | 15.5 | 9.5 | 9 | 10.5 | Sponsor-aligned builder |
| 14 | CentOS Stream | 49.3 | 55 | 15 | 14 | 2.5 | 2 | Vendor-run upstream |
| 15 | CloudLinux OS | 48.3 | 46.5 | 14 | 9 | 7.5 | 1 | Dependable builder |
| 16 | Anolis OS (OpenAnolis) | 46 | 50 | 13 | 11 | 9 | 2.5 | Sponsor-led innovator |
Capability /100. Ten domains scored 0 to 5 against fixed anchors, weighted to 100. The buyer lens changes the weights, not the domain scores. History from 2015 uses the same anchors, so a line rises only when something ships.
Credibility /25. Cadence, roadmap transparency, say-do record, velocity and lifecycle stability, from the 2023 to 2026 release record.
Commercial risk and technical lock-in /25 each. Lower is better, so these axes are drawn reversed. Buyer risk is the two added together, out of 50.
AI leverage /20. Four strands scored per year: AI workload infrastructure, AI platform stack, AI-assisted operations and agent openness. Only GA counts; previews count half a step at most.
Ledger Index /100. A weighted blend of all parts, always shown with them. Before 2023 only capability and AI move; the other parts are held at today's values.
Idea-to-need index. Share of vision-led items among vision, customer and market-window items. 0 means demand-pulled, 1 means thesis-pushed. It is a direction, not a grade.