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Red Hat Enterprise Linux vs Rocky Linux

Versions, support lifecycles and key facts side by side. Dates update automatically from the release data.

AttributeRed Hat Enterprise LinuxRocky Linux
TypeLinux distributionLinux distribution
Project statusActiveActive
DeveloperRed Hat (IBM)Rocky Enterprise Software Foundation
Based onFedoraRed Hat Enterprise Linux
First release20022021
Release cadenceMajor release every 3 years; minor release every 6 monthsFollows RHEL: minor releases about every 6 months
Newest releaseRed Hat Enterprise Linux 10 · released May 2025Rocky Linux 10 · released Jun 2025
Latest LTS——
Supported versions33
Longest supportRed Hat Enterprise Linux 10 — until May 2035Rocky Linux 10 — until May 2035
OS familyLinuxLinux
Package formatRPM (DNF)RPM (DNF)
Init systemsystemdsystemd
Default desktopGNOME—
Architecturesx86_64, aarch64, ppc64le, s390xx86_64, aarch64, ppc64le, s390x, riscv64
Support10 years per major release (5 full + 5 maintenance), plus paid extended life cycle support10 years per major version, matching RHEL
LicenseSubscription; free Developer subscription for up to 16 systemsFree software
UpstreamFedora → CentOS Stream → RHEL—
Compatibility—Bug-for-bug compatible with RHEL
Guides on TecAdmin103 guides105 guides

Supported versions today

Red Hat Enterprise Linux

  1. 10 Until May 2035
  2. 9 Until May 2032
  3. 8 Until May 2029

Rocky Linux

  1. 10 Until May 2035
  2. 9 Until May 2032
  3. 8 Until May 2029

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