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CentOS Stream
What it is
CentOS Stream is a free Linux distribution that follows development just ahead of RHEL, positioned between Fedora Linux and RHEL. The project presents it as a way to take part in the RHEL ecosystem. It can be used as a production operating system, a development environment, or a preview of an upcoming minor RHEL release. Derived from Fedora Linux, its development is open to contributions. The project says a new major version arrives every three years and each release is maintained for five years. CentOS Stream 10 is listed as maintained until 2030, while CentOS Stream 9 reaches end of life on May 31, 2027. Downloads include ISOs, RPMs, cloud images, container images, and Vagrant boxes. Listed architectures include x86_64, ARM64, IBM Power, and IBM Z, with specific hardware support varying by release. It can run on servers, workstations, cloud instances, and containers, and includes DNF repositories and package management. Legacy CentOS versions are no longer maintained; they remain available through CentOS Vault for historical purposes.
For and against
For
- Free to download and use.
- Development is open to contributors.
- Offers cloud, container, and installation images.
- Supports several CPU architecture families.
- DNF package management is included.
Against
- Major versions arrive every three years.
- Each release has a five-year maintenance period.
- Legacy CentOS versions are no longer maintained.
The verdict
CentOS Stream offers a free path to work with a Linux distribution positioned just ahead of RHEL development. Check the release maintenance window and architecture support for the version and hardware you plan to use.
Who it suits
CentOS Stream may suit people who want a Linux environment for production, development, or previewing RHEL changes. It also fits contributors interested in the RHEL ecosystem.
Plans and prices
CentOS Stream
Free software distribution · available for download
Read 29 Sep 2026 · centos.org
On the record
- Architecture support
- Downloads are listed for x86_64, ARM64 (aarch64), IBM Power (ppc64le), and IBM Z (s390x).centos.org · read 29 Sep 2026
- Cloud and containers
- The project provides cloud images and says official images are available through Amazon Web Services, Quay Registry, and Docker Registry.centos.org · read 29 Sep 2026
- Community contributions
- The project invites contributions through documentation, QA, testing, SIG coding, mirroring or hosting, and helping other users.centos.org · read 29 Sep 2026
- Delivery formats
- The download page lists ISOs, RPMs, cloud images, container images, and Vagrant boxes.centos.org · read 29 Sep 2026
- Development
- CentOS Stream is derived from Fedora Linux, and its development is open to all.centos.org · read 29 Sep 2026
- Notable limitation
- The download page says legacy CentOS versions are no longer maintained and are available from CentOS Vault for historical purposes.centos.org · read 29 Sep 2026
- Product
- CentOS Stream is a continuously delivered Linux distribution that tracks just ahead of RHEL development, between Fedora Linux and RHEL.centos.org · read 29 Sep 2026
- Purpose
- The project describes CentOS Stream as a platform for participating and collaborating in the RHEL ecosystem.centos.org · read 29 Sep 2026
- Release cadence
- The project says CentOS Stream has a new major version every three years, with each release maintained for five years.centos.org · read 29 Sep 2026
- Special Interest Groups
- CentOS SIGs produce variant editions and alternative images, develop and package software, and support the project with non-technical activities.centos.org · read 29 Sep 2026
- Support and maintenance
- The project says CentOS Stream updates are maintained by the RHEL team and are intended for RHEL.centos.org · read 29 Sep 2026
- Use cases
- CentOS Stream can serve as a production operating system, a development environment, or a preview of the next minor RHEL release.centos.org · read 29 Sep 2026
