Best Linux distros for small businesses
Running a small business is no easy task. The last thing you need is extra complexity in your IT infrastructure – so why turn to Linux? Well, it could (if you’re lucky) actually turn out to be a less complex choice for many tasks, depending on the distribution you select. And, critically, Linux is free; at least if you don’t figure in support costs. That’s an overhead ticked off the list. So what’s the best choice for your small business? We’ve approached this selection with a few criteria in mind. Stability must come first: if you’re putting a distro to work, uptime is critical. Solid support provision comes a close second. We’ve also considered practical capabilities, which is why you’ll find a couple of non-desktop distributions on our list.
1. CentOS
One of the world’s most popular server distros
Enterprise-class Linux for anyone
Familiar default Gnome desktop
RPM package management system
Built on the solid foundation of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) – and, indeed, officially funded by Red Hat as of 2014 – CentOS is undoubtedly a distro with strong credentials. Its default Gnome desktop is pleasant and reasonably familiar to most computer users, the RPM package management system is widely supported, and it’s equally at home on workstations and servers. CentOS harnesses the open source components of its parent OS, which actually make up the majority of RHEL. Only Red Hat’s trademarks and a few proprietary components are omitted. Thanks to this unique partnership, updates tend to flow to CentOS only a day or two after they hit RHEL. In other words, this is enterprise-class Linux that anyone can use. CentOS is now one of the world’s most popular server distros, and is perfect if you want to build serious hardware appliances without paying for a Red Hat subscription. While the CentOS community can provide some useful advice free of charge, professional support is the key reason for using RHEL. Server prices for Red Hat combined with a support package start at $799 (around £600, AU$1,065) per year, so it could be prohibitively expensive for small business use.
2. ClearOS
A distro administered entirely from a web interface
Nifty alternative to commercial server platforms
Relatively easy-to-use
Professional tech support
ClearOS and CentOS are pretty close cousins. Both run many of the same packages inherited from RHEL, and can benefit from the swift Red Hat release cycle. But while CentOS is a functional desktop OS, ClearOS is designed primarily as a server platform and an alternative to commercial options like Red Hat Enterprise Server or Windows Small Business Server. The OS is administered entirely from a web interface, so you won’t need a keyboard, mouse, or even a monitor connected to the machine once ClearOS is installed.
Because of its tight focus, ClearOS is actually easier to use than most server operating systems. That web interface makes installing this operating system’s various components a breeze, so you can easily set up a firewall for your business, manage an email server, install a file server or more – all safe in the knowledge that each of these components will (most likely) work perfectly together. ClearOS 7 is supported professionally by a dedicated ClearCARE team. It also includes software packages that have been thoroughly tested for stability. Prices start at $108 (£80, AU$140) per year. You might also be interested in ClearVM, the team’s virtualisation solution – the free version allows you to finely manage the precise performance of two virtual machines and eight CPU cores.
3. OpenSUSE
Used as the basis for SUSE Linux Enterprise
Runs well on older hardware
Even works on a Raspberry Pi
Secure and stable OS
While CentOS is an open source OS based on a paid-for release, OpenSUSEworks in reverse. This community-developed operating system is used as the basis for the commercially-supported SUSE Linux Enterprise. SUSE actually borrows a lot from Red Hat, including its RPM package management system, but isn’t a direct clone.
OpenSUSE is one of the few distros to use the graphically-heavy KDE window manager by default, though you can also install Mate, LXDE and others. This means it can run on older hardware. In fact, if you’re looking to run small web appliances, the latest version will run on a Raspberry Pi and includes a huge number of packages. OpenSUSE now follows a rolling release model, which means updates are regularly available without you having to manually upgrade every 18 months as before. This makes for a much more secure and stable operating system.
4. IPFire
An all-in-one Linux watchdog
Very impressive security solution
There’s paid tech support if needed
Not easy to configure
If you’re running a small business, the security of your network should be as important a concern as the behaviour of your employees. IPFire ticks both these boxes at once. It’s an all-in-one Linux appliance: install it on a machine which sits between your internet connection and your network switch and it’ll do everything from managing IP addresses to protecting you with a firewall, and controlling what sites your workers are allowed to visit and when.
It does require a certain level of knowledge to get IPFire installed, and its unique nature – it’s constructed from scratch, not forked from any specific version of Linux – means it won’t be quite as easy to configure as other distros may be. Thankfully there are regular ‘Core’ updates, which incrementally keep IPFire up to date with the latest security and app updates. IPFire is managed via a web interface and requires at least a machine with two network connections. There’s an excellent installation handbook and paid support is available if necessary.
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