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Amazon Linux
What it is
Amazon Linux is a free portfolio of Linux-based operating systems from AWS for Amazon EC2 and Docker container workloads. Amazon Linux 2023 is an RPM-based general-purpose distribution designed for cloud scale and AWS integration, including Systems Manager and the AWS CLI. Versioned repositories lock machine images and container images to a package state while customers choose update timing. AL2023 offers configurable SELinux and cryptographic policies, plus kernel live patching for critical and important security fixes without rebooting. AWS provides an EC2 image launchable through the console, SDK, or CLI. Images can also run outside AWS, although AWS Support Plans do not cover those uses. AL2023 has support through June 2029. Amazon Linux 2027 is available as a public preview for non-production testing, with x86-64 and Graviton architectures, but support agreements exclude the preview. Additional software uses namespaced packages rather than Amazon Linux Extras.
For and against
For
- Free operating system for EC2 workloads
- Supports x86-64 and 64-bit ARM
- Versioned repositories support deterministic deployments
- Kernel live patching avoids some reboots
- Available as EC2 and container images
Against
- AWS service charges still apply
- Support plans exclude outside-AWS use
- AL2027 preview lacks support coverage
- AL2023 has no Amazon Linux Extras
The verdict
Amazon Linux provides AWS-oriented operating systems with defined support, package controls, and EC2 integration. Use AL2023 for supported production workloads and treat AL2027 as a testing preview.
Who it suits
It suits teams running Linux workloads on EC2 or in Docker containers, including local development outside AWS. AL2027 preview is for testing non-production cloud-native workloads.
Plans and prices
Amazon Linux 2023
No additional charge for the operating system · EC2 and other AWS service charges apply
Read 8 Oct 2026 · aws.amazon.com
Amazon Linux 2027 (Preview)
No additional licensing cost · Standard EC2 instance charges apply · AWS Support agreements do not cover the public preview
Read 8 Oct 2026 · aws.amazon.com
On the record
- AL2023 purpose
- Amazon Linux 2023 is a general-purpose RPM-based Linux distribution designed to integrate with AWS services and run at scale in the cloud.aws.amazon.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- AL2027 platforms
- AL2027 preview AMIs are available for x86-64 and Graviton (aarch64) across commercial AWS Regions, and container base images are published to Amazon ECR Public Gallery.aws.amazon.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- AL2027 preview
- Amazon Linux 2027 is in public preview for testing non-production workloads and is built for cloud-native workloads on AWS.aws.amazon.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- AL2027 security
- AL2027 preview enables SELinux enforcing mode by default and includes AWS-LC alongside OpenSSL.aws.amazon.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- AL2027 support limit
- AWS Support agreements do not cover the AL2027 public preview, and AWS recommends keeping production workloads on AL2023 until general availability.aws.amazon.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Deployment
- AWS provides an AL2023 Amazon Machine Image that can be launched through the EC2 console, AWS SDK, or CLI.aws.amazon.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- EC2 integration
- AL2023 is optimized for Amazon EC2 and integrates with AWS features and tools including Systems Manager and AWS CLI.aws.amazon.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Kernel maintenance
- AL2023 kernel live patching can apply critical and important kernel security fixes without reboot or downtime.aws.amazon.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Notable limitation
- AL2023 does not have Amazon Linux Extras; additional higher-level software packages are provided as namespaced packages through quarterly releases.aws.amazon.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Outside AWS
- AL2023 images can be used outside AWS, but AWS Support Plans do not cover those uses.aws.amazon.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Product
- Amazon Linux is a portfolio of modern Linux-based operating systems from AWS.aws.amazon.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Security
- AL2023 includes configurable security policies such as SELinux modes and FUTURE or LEGACY system cryptographic policies.aws.amazon.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Support
- AL2023 receives five years of support for each version and is supported until June 2029.aws.amazon.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Updates
- AL2023 locks AMIs and container images to a specific package repository version for deterministic behavior, while allowing customers to select when they take updates.aws.amazon.com · read 8 Oct 2026
