Amazon Linux vs Photon OS
Amazon Linux
aws.amazon.comPhoton OS
vmware.github.ioSide by side
| Figure | Amazon Linux | Photon OS |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 2 | 1 |
| Spec score · Server Operating System | 8.0 (#5) | 7.6 (#10) |
| Spec score · Operating Systems | 8.0 (#14) | 7.8 (#20) |
| Deployment | AWS provides an AL2023 Amazon Machine Image that can be launched through the EC2 console, AWS SDK, or CLI. | Photon OS can run on bare metal, VMware ESXi hypervisors, or public clouds. |
| Security | AL2023 includes configurable security policies such as SELinux modes and FUTURE or LEGACY system cryptographic policies. | The site says the kernel follows Kernel Self-Protection Project recommendations and packages use hardened security flags and can be updated and verified. |
| Support | AL2023 receives five years of support for each version and is supported until June 2029. | The project provides community support through its GitHub project page and issues page. |
Plans
In their own words
Amazon Linux
Amazon Linux is AWS’s portfolio of Linux-based operating systems for EC2 instances and Docker container workloads. Amazon Linux 2023 is an RPM-based general-purpose distribution designed for AWS integration and cloud scale. It is optimized for EC2 and works with Systems Manager and the AWS CLI. Versioned repositories lock machine images and container images to a package state while letting customers choose when to update. AWS provides an EC2 image launchable from the console, SDK or CLI, plus container images usable outside AWS, including local development. The distribution supports x86-64 and 64-bit ARM architectures, including Graviton2 or later on EC2, and uses DNF. AL2023 offers configurable SELinux and cryptographic policies, kernel live patching, and five years of support through June 2029. Amazon Linux 2027 is available as a public preview for non-production testing, with separate support limits.
Photon OS
Photon OS has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.