Choosing an Operating System
Pick the right Linux distribution for your VPS or cloud server - and understand the trade-offs.
4 min read
When you deploy a VPS or cloud server on GoZen Host, you choose an operating system during setup. This page helps you pick the right one.
Available Operating Systems
GoZen Host VPS and cloud servers offer images for Ubuntu, Debian, AlmaLinux, Rocky Linux, CentOS and Fedora, and Business Cloud also accepts your own ISO. The client area lists the exact versions on offer when you order or reinstall. The table shows the releases each distribution still supports as of October 2026:
| OS | Supported releases (Oct 2026) | Package Manager | Support Cycle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu | 24.04 / 26.04 LTS (22.04 until 2027) | apt | 5 years (LTS) |
| Debian | 12 / 13 | apt | ~5 years |
| Rocky Linux | 9 / 10 (8 until 2029) | dnf | 10 years |
| AlmaLinux | 9 / 10 (8 until 2029) | dnf | 10 years |
| CentOS Stream | 9 / 10 | dnf | ~5 years |
| Fedora | Current release | dnf | ~13 months per release |
Avoid Debian 11 and CentOS 7 or 8 for a new server: they no longer get regular security updates.
All images are minimal installs - just the base OS with SSH. You install what you need on top.
Which One Should You Use?
Ubuntu (Recommended for Most Users)
Ubuntu is the most popular Linux server distribution. If you’re following a tutorial online, it was probably written for Ubuntu.
Pick Ubuntu if:
- You’re new to Linux servers
- You’re running a web stack (Nginx, Node.js, PHP, Python)
- You want the largest community and most documentation
- You use Docker or Kubernetes
Version: Always choose LTS (Long Term Support). The non-LTS releases have shorter support windows and are meant for desktops.
Debian
Debian is what Ubuntu is built on. It’s more conservative - packages are older but extremely stable.
Pick Debian if:
- You want maximum stability over latest features
- You’re running a mail server (Debian + Postfix is a proven combination)
- You prefer smaller, more predictable updates
Rocky Linux / AlmaLinux
These are RHEL-compatible distributions that replaced CentOS after Red Hat changed CentOS to a rolling release (CentOS Stream). They’re binary-compatible with Red Hat Enterprise Linux.
Pick Rocky or Alma if:
- You need RHEL compatibility (some enterprise software requires it)
- You’re running cPanel (cPanel supports both)
- You want 10-year support cycles
- You’re in a regulated industry that mandates RHEL-family distributions
Rocky and AlmaLinux are functionally identical. Pick whichever you prefer.
CentOS Stream
CentOS Stream is a rolling preview of the next RHEL minor release. It sits between Fedora (bleeding edge) and RHEL (enterprise stable).
Pick CentOS Stream if:
- You want to track RHEL development
- You’re testing software for eventual RHEL deployment
Don’t pick CentOS Stream if you want a “set it and forget it” server. Its rolling nature means updates are more frequent and occasionally introduce changes.
Fedora
Fedora is the fast-moving upstream of RHEL. A new release comes out about every six months and each one is supported for roughly 13 months, so you upgrade the OS about once a year. Pick it only if you want the newest packages and are happy to do those upgrades.
Control Panel Compatibility
If you plan to install a control panel, check compatibility:
| Control Panel | Works On |
|---|---|
| cPanel | AlmaLinux, Rocky Linux, CloudLinux, Ubuntu LTS (check cPanel’s current OS list for exact versions) |
| Plesk | Ubuntu, Debian, AlmaLinux, Rocky Linux |
| Enhance | Ubuntu LTS (22.04, 24.04) |
GoZen Host offers VPS plans with these panels pre-installed - select the panel during checkout to get a server that’s ready to go.
Changing Your OS After Deployment
If you picked the wrong OS, you can reinstall from the client area:
- Log into the client area
- Go to Services → My Services → select your VPS
- Look for the Reinstall or Rebuild option
- Choose your new OS
- Confirm
This wipes everything on the server. Back up your data before reinstalling. There is no undo.
What to Do Next
- First Boot: Initial Server Setup - secure your server after choosing an OS
- Monitoring Your Server - track resource usage from day one
Last updated 21 Oct 2026, 00:00 +0300.