AsiaGB VPS in both Thailand and Singapore supports 15 Linux versions across 5 families for installation: AlmaLinux OS 8/9/10, Rocky Linux OS 8/9/10, Oracle Linux 8/9/10, Debian 11/12, and Ubuntu 20.04/22.04/24.04/26.04 LTS. This article collects the pros and cons of each from real user reviews and verifiable sources (not the writer's personal opinion), along with the official End of Life date for each version, so you can pick an OS that fits your workload and still has enough runway left for your project.
Quick summary: Choose the RHEL-compatible group (AlmaLinux / Rocky Linux / Oracle Linux) for enterprise workloads that need Red Hat compatibility and up to 10 years of support · Choose Debian for servers that need maximum stability and don't need frequent package updates · Choose Ubuntu LTS if you're a beginner, since it has the largest community and the easiest tutorials to find.
AlmaLinux OS (8, 9, 10) — a license-free RHEL clone
AlmaLinux emerged after Red Hat announced a policy change to CentOS in 2020. It's maintained by the AlmaLinux OS Foundation (originally started by CloudLinux), and focuses on 1:1 binary compatibility with Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL).
Pros
- No license or subscription fees of any kind
- 1:1 compatible with RHEL — APIs and configurations carry over directly
- Up to 10 years of support per major version, reducing how often you need to migrate servers
- Users report it as stable and fast, especially for virtualization workloads
- Predictable updates make scaling systems more reliable
Cons
- Needs decent system resources — not a great fit for very low-spec VPS
- Documentation still lags behind official Red Hat docs
- SELinux and firewall-cmd are more complex than Ubuntu's ufw for those unfamiliar with them
- Default install is CLI-focused, not ideal for those with no prior Linux background
AlmaLinux OS 8 — the oldest version in the family
Gets security support until May 31, 2029 — still safe to use for several more years, though its packages are older than the 9/10 line. Good for legacy systems that need compatibility with older software.
AlmaLinux OS 9 — the recommended main pick for new VPS
Security support until May 31, 2032. It's had real-world use for a while now and ships newer packages than version 8, making it a solid default for a new VPS.
AlmaLinux OS 10 — the newest version
Security support runs all the way to May 31, 2035, the longest window in the AlmaLinux family, but it's still fairly new and has a shorter real-world track record than version 9.
Rocky Linux (8, 9, 10) — a RHEL clone carrying on CentOS's original spirit
Rocky Linux was founded in 2021 by Gregory Kurtzer, the same co-founder of CentOS, after CentOS changed its policy. It's maintained by the Rocky Enterprise Software Foundation (RESF), a non-profit organization rather than a single company.
Pros
- Primarily focused on stability and reliability for production
- Bug-for-bug compatible with RHEL — software built for RHEL works as-is
- 10 years of support plus security patches from an active community
- Maintained by a non-profit (RESF), reducing the risk of a sudden policy shift like the one that happened to CentOS
- SELinux is enabled by default, helping with security posture
Cons
- Package versions are often older than Ubuntu's, since it prioritizes stability over new features
- The project only started in 2021, so its long-term track record is shorter than Debian's or Ubuntu's
- Some reported issues with DNS integration in certain cases
- Integrating with Windows/Active Directory still requires extra tuning
Rocky Linux 8 / 9 / 10 — pick by how much runway you need
Rocky Linux 8 gets security support until May 31, 2029; Rocky Linux 9 until May 31, 2032. Rocky Linux 10 (released mid-2025) has general support until roughly 2030 and security support until May 31, 2035. Rocky Linux's support model gives each major version 10 years, and once it reaches its final minor release (X.10) it enters a 5-year maintenance mode before true EOL. For a new VPS, Rocky 9 is the balanced pick between stability and reasonably current packages.
Oracle Linux (8, 9, 10) — Oracle's own RHEL clone with kernel live patching
Oracle Linux is Oracle's own RHEL-compatible distribution. It can be downloaded and updated for free without a subscription. Its standout feature is the Unbreakable Enterprise Kernel (UEK), which supports kernel live patching via Ksplice — updating the kernel without rebooting the machine.
Pros
- Stable and low-maintenance even under heavy workloads
- Kernel live patching (Ksplice/UEK) updates the kernel without a reboot — a standout feature other RHEL clones don't match
- Especially strong performance for Oracle Database-related workloads
- Highly customizable to fit different organizational needs
- Free to download and update, with no forced subscription
Cons
- Some users feel paid support quality doesn't quite match what other vendors offer
- Slightly harder to use/configure than AlmaLinux according to users who have compared the two
- Doesn't support old point releases the way RHEL does — once a new minor version ships, the older one is immediately considered EOL and must be updated
- Oracle as a brand has a reputation for fairly aggressive licensing/upselling in its other products — worth reading the support terms carefully before relying on it, even though the OS itself is free
Oracle Linux 8 / 9 / 10 — the longest Premier Support in the RHEL clone group
Oracle Linux 8 (released Jul 2019) gets Premier Support until Jul 2029 and Extended Support until Jul 2032. Oracle Linux 9 (released Jun 2022) gets Premier Support until Jun 2032. Oracle Linux 10 (released Jun 2025) gets Premier Support all the way to Jun 2035 — the newest version, best for those who want the longest support window and are comfortable running a newer release.
Debian (11, 12) — the origin of the longest track record for stability
Debian started as a project in 1993, making it the oldest Linux distribution in this group and the upstream source for Ubuntu. It's known for the highest stability because packages are rigorously tested before being declared "Stable."
Pros
- The longest track record in this group (since 1993), thoroughly proven over time
- Known as the most stable option because of its rigorous package testing
- A huge community, easy installation/management, and a massive package repository
- 100% free and open source, with no single company controlling its direction
Cons
- Package versions are often older than other distros because of the long (2-3 year) release cycle
- There are real reported issues with older Python version dependencies not matching some modern tools
- Debian 12 has just entered its LTS phase (support from the community rather than the core release team)
- Debian 11 is nearing the end of its LTS support
⚠️ Debian 11 (Bullseye) ended regular support on Aug 14, 2024, and entered LTS status maintained by the Debian LTS team, which will end on Aug 31, 2026 — less than 2 months away as of this writing. Not recommended for new VPS installs. Choose Debian 12 instead.
Debian 12 (Bookworm) ended regular support on Jul 11, 2026, and has entered its LTS phase, maintained by the Debian LTS Team, with security patches continuing through Jun 30, 2028. It's currently the recommended choice within the Debian family.
Note: Debian 13 (Trixie) was already released on Aug 9, 2025, and is the current Debian stable release (full support until Aug 9, 2028; LTS until Jun 30, 2030) — this is exactly why Debian 12 moved to "oldstable" status and was handed to the LTS team, as noted above. AsiaGB VPS currently only offers Debian 11 and 12 as install options (Debian 13 is not yet available). If you'd like to use Debian 13, contact our team via Ticket to ask about availability.
Ubuntu (20.04, 22.04, 24.04, 26.04 LTS) — the most popular on VPS
Ubuntu was created by Canonical starting in 2004, built on top of Debian but releasing more frequently and prioritizing ease of use. It's the most widely used Linux distribution on VPS/cloud worldwide.
Pros
- The most popular choice on VPS/cloud worldwide — the easiest to find tutorials and community support for
- Each LTS version gets 5 years of standard support, extendable another 5 years via ESM, for up to 10 years total
- Hardware/driver support gets updated during the LTS window via the enablement stack, giving good support for newer hardware
Cons
- The Snap package system is heavily criticized — its backend server is proprietary and controlled solely by Canonical (unlike the open-source frontend)
- snapd runs in the background at all times even if no snaps are installed, seen by many as unnecessary bloat
- Snaps update themselves automatically on a schedule users can't control; if a package breaks after an update, the only option is to uninstall it
- There are reports that
apt installfor some packages (like Chromium) silently redirects to installing the snap version instead
⚠️ Ubuntu 20.04 LTS has already been past standard support since Apr 2025. Not recommended for new server installs. If you're still running it, plan an upgrade to 22.04 or 24.04 LTS as soon as possible (Canonical offers a paid Extended Security Maintenance option through 2030 if you can't migrate right away).
Ubuntu 22.04 LTS gets standard support until Apr 2027 (ESM until 2032). Ubuntu 24.04 LTS gets standard support until Apr 2029 (ESM until 2034) and is currently the most balanced choice for a new VPS. Ubuntu 26.04 LTS was just released in Apr 2026 and doesn't yet have a long enough real-world track record (following Canonical's standard pattern, it's expected to get standard support until around Apr 2031, though that exact date hasn't been officially confirmed). It suits those who want the newest packages and aren't worried about edge cases that haven't been found yet — for production workloads that need certainty, 24.04 LTS is the safer choice for now.
Security Support Comparison — All 15 Versions
| OS | Family | Security Support Until | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| AlmaLinux OS 8 | RHEL clone | May 31, 2029 | OK |
| AlmaLinux OS 9 | RHEL clone | May 31, 2032 | Recommended |
| AlmaLinux OS 10 | RHEL clone | May 31, 2035 | OK (new) |
| Rocky Linux OS 8 | RHEL clone | May 31, 2029 | OK |
| Rocky Linux OS 9 | RHEL clone | May 31, 2032 | Recommended |
| Rocky Linux OS 10 | RHEL clone | May 31, 2035 | OK (new) |
| Oracle Linux 8 | RHEL clone | Jul 2029 (Premier) | OK |
| Oracle Linux 9 | RHEL clone | Jun 2032 (Premier) | Recommended |
| Oracle Linux 10 | RHEL clone | Jun 2035 (Premier) | OK (new) |
| Debian 11 | Independent | Aug 31, 2026 | Nearing EOL |
| Debian 12 | Independent | Jun 30, 2028 (LTS) | Recommended |
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | Debian-based | Apr 2025 (expired) | Already EOL |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | Debian-based | Apr 2027 | OK |
| Ubuntu 24.04 LTS | Debian-based | Apr 2029 | Recommended |
| Ubuntu 26.04 LTS | Debian-based | ~Apr 2031 (projected) | OK (very new) |
Note: Oracle Linux's Premier Support is the main window with full patches; Extended Support (paid) adds 3 more years from that date. The Ubuntu 26.04 date is a projection based on Canonical's standard pattern (5 years standard support), not yet a 100% officially confirmed date.
Summary: which OS should you pick
- Need RHEL compatibility / enterprise workloads: AlmaLinux 9 or Rocky Linux 9
- Need reboot-free kernel live patching: Oracle Linux 9
- Need maximum stability and don't care about new packages: Debian 12
- Beginner / want the largest community: Ubuntu 24.04 LTS
- Want the longest support window and are OK running something new: AlmaLinux 10, Rocky Linux 10, or Oracle Linux 10
- Best avoided (near/past EOL): Debian 11, Ubuntu 20.04 LTS
Sources
EOL data and real-user reviews in this article were compiled from the following sources (last checked Jul 21, 2026):
- AlmaLinux EOL — endoflife.date/almalinux, AlmaLinux official (X/Twitter)
- AlmaLinux real-user reviews — PeerSpot, G2
- Rocky Linux EOL — endoflife.date/rocky-linux, Rocky Linux Wiki
- Rocky Linux real-user reviews — PeerSpot, G2
- Oracle Linux EOL — endoflife.date/oracle-linux, Oracle Official Lifecycle PDF
- Oracle Linux real-user reviews — Capterra, G2
- Debian EOL — TuxCare, Debian.org official announcement
- Ubuntu EOL — Ubuntu.com official announcement, endoflife.date/ubuntu
- Ubuntu Snap criticism — TechRights, Linux Mint Forums
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AsiaGB VPS in Thailand and Singapore can install all 15 versions reviewed in this article, with Full Root Access included.
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