# AlmaLinux

> Linux distribution

**Wikidata**: [Q106601457](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q106601457)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AlmaLinux)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/almalinux

## Summary
AlmaLinux is a community-driven Linux distribution created in 2021 as a free replacement for CentOS after its strategic shift. It provides an enterprise-grade operating system that maintains binary compatibility with CentOS while being developed by an independent community foundation.

## Key Facts
- AlmaLinux was founded on March 30, 2021, by Andrew Lukoshko as a community-driven replacement for CentOS
- It is based on CentOS and maintains binary compatibility with its upstream source
- The distribution uses DNF (Dandified Yum) as its package management system
- AlmaLinux supports multiple platforms including AArch64, ppc64, and IBM S/390 architectures
- Version 9.0 was released on May 26, 2022, representing a major update in the distribution's history
- The project has a verified Twitter account (@AlmaLinux) established on January 12, 2021
- AlmaLinux is available in multiple languages including Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, Czech, German, English, Spanish, French, and Hungarian

## FAQs
### Q: Why was AlmaLinux created?
A: AlmaLinux was created in 2021 as a community-driven replacement for CentOS after CentOS announced it would shift from being a free upstream version to CentOS Stream, which sits between Fedora and Red Hat Enterprise Linux.

### Q: How is AlmaLinux different from CentOS?
A: AlmaLinux is developed independently by a community foundation rather than by Red Hat, though it maintains binary compatibility with CentOS. It was specifically created to fill the gap left by CentOS's shift to CentOS Stream.

### Q: Is AlmaLinux suitable for enterprise use?
A: Yes, AlmaLinux is designed to be a free, enterprise-grade operating system that maintains binary compatibility with its upstream source, making it suitable for enterprise environments that need stability and support.

### Q: How often is AlmaLinux updated?
A: AlmaLinux follows a regular release schedule with stable versions being released periodically. The most recent stable versions as of the data provided include 8.7 and 9.1, both released in November 2022.

## Why It Matters
AlmaLinux addresses a critical need in the Linux ecosystem by providing a free, community-driven alternative to CentOS after its significant shift in direction. For businesses, organizations, and developers who relied on CentOS as a free alternative to Red Hat Enterprise Linux, AlmaLinux offers a familiar and compatible path forward. Its commitment to being truly community-controlled and its alignment with open-source values provide users with a reliable, independent option that doesn't tie them to commercial vendors. By maintaining binary compatibility with CentOS and its upstream source, AlmaLinux allows for smooth transitions without requiring significant changes to infrastructure or applications.

## Notable For
- Being created specifically as a community-driven replacement for CentOS after the distribution's major strategic shift
- Its independence from corporate control while maintaining compatibility with enterprise Linux
- The speed of its development, with the first stable release coming just months after its announcement
- Having a neutral foundation structure to ensure long-term community ownership
- Supporting multiple architectures including AArch64, ppc64, and IBM S/390 in addition to traditional x86

## Body
### Overview
AlmaLinux is a Linux distribution based on CentOS, designed as a free, community-driven alternative. It was founded by Andrew Lukoshko on March 30, 2021, to address the need for a CentOS replacement after CentOS shifted from being a free upstream version to CentOS Stream.

### Development and Governance
AlmaLinux is developed independently by a community foundation, ensuring it remains free from corporate control. The project follows open-source principles and is governed by a neutral foundation structure to ensure long-term community ownership and direction.

### Technical Specifications
- Package Management: Uses DNF (Dandified Yum) as its package management system
- Supported Architectures: AArch64, ppc64, IBM S/390, and traditional x86
- Compatibility: Maintains binary compatibility with CentOS and its upstream source
- GUI Framework: Uses the GNOME desktop environment

### Release History
- March 30, 2021: First stable release (8.3)
- May 26, 2021: Version 8.4 stable
- November 12, 2021: Version 8.5 stable
- May 12, 2022: Version 8.6 stable
- May 26, 2022: Major version 9.0 released
- November 10, 2022: Version 8.7 stable
- November 16, 2022: Version 9.1 stable

### Community Presence
AlmaLinux maintains an active presence across multiple platforms:
- Official website: almalinux.org
- GitHub: github.com/AlmaLinux
- GitLab: gitlab.com/AlmaLinux
- Docker Hub: library/almalinux
- Twitter: @AlmaLinux (verified account)
- Mastodon: almalinux@fosstodon.org
- Bluesky: almalinux.org

### Documentation and Support
The project provides comprehensive documentation through its official wiki (wiki.almalinux.org), user manuals, release notes, and a community forum. Issues can be tracked through the official issue tracker (bugs.almalinux.org).

### Internationalization
AlmaLinux is available in multiple languages, including Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, Czech, German, English, Spanish, French, and Hungarian, making it accessible to a global user base.

## References

1. [Source](https://almalinux.org/alesco/)
2. [Introducing AlmaLinux Beta: A Community-Driven Replacement for CentOS. 2021](https://almalinux.org/blog/introducing-almalinux-beta-a-community-driven-replacement-for-centos/)
3. [AlmaLinux OS 8.3 RC Release Notes. 2021](https://almalinux.org/blog/almalinux-8-3-rc-release-notes/)
4. [AlmaLinux OS Stable Release is live!. 2021](https://almalinux.org/blog/almalinux-os-stable-release-is-live/)
5. [AlmaLinux OS 8.4 Beta Now Available!. 2021](https://almalinux.org/blog/almalinux-os-8-4-beta-now-available/)
6. [AlmaLinux OS 8.4 Stable Now Available. 2021](https://almalinux.org/blog/almalinux-os-8-4-stable-now-available/)
7. [AlmaLinux OS 8.5 Stable Now Available](https://almalinux.org/blog/almalinux-os-85-stable-now-available/)
8. [AlmaLinux 8.6 Stable is Now Available!](https://almalinux.org/blog/almalinux-86-stable-is-now-available/)
9. [AlmaLinux 9 Now Available!](https://almalinux.org/blog/almalinux-9-now-available/)
10. [AlmaLinux 8.7 - Now Available. 2022](https://almalinux.org/blog/almalinux-87-now-available/)
11. [AlmaLinux 9.1 - Now Available. 2022](https://almalinux.org/blog/almalinux-91-now-available/)
12. [AlmaLinux 8.8 Beta - Now Available. 2023](https://almalinux.org/blog/almalinux-88-beta-now-available/)
13. [AlmaLinux 9.2 Beta - Now Available. 2023](https://almalinux.org/blog/almalinux-92-beta-now-available/)
14. [AlmaLinux 9.2 - Now Available. 2023](https://almalinux.org/blog/almalinux-92-now-available/)
15. [AlmaLinux 8.8 - Now Available. 2023](https://almalinux.org/blog/almalinux-88-now-available/)
16. [Announcing AlmaLinux 9.3 Beta!. 2023](https://almalinux.org/blog/2023-10-26-announcing-93-beta/)
17. [Announcing AlmaLinux 9.3 Stable!. 2023](https://almalinux.org/blog/2023-11-13-announcing-93-stable/)
18. [Announcing AlmaLinux 8.9 Stable!. 2023](https://almalinux.org/blog/2023-11-21-announcing-89-stable/)
19. [Announcing AlmaLinux 8.9 Beta!. 2023](https://almalinux.org/blog/2023-11-02-announcing-89-beta/)
20. [Announcing AlmaLinux 9.4 Beta!. 2024](https://almalinux.org/blog/2024-04-15-announcing-94-beta/)
21. [General Availability of AlmaLinux 9.4 Stable!. 2024](https://almalinux.org/blog/2024-05-06-announcing-94-stable/)
22. [General Availability of AlmaLinux 8.10 Stable!. 2024](https://almalinux.org/blog/2024-05-28-announcing-810-stable/)
23. [Announcing AlmaLinux 9.5 Beta!. 2024](https://almalinux.org/blog/2024-10-15-announcing-95-beta/)
24. [General Availability of AlmaLinux 9.5 Stable!. 2024](https://almalinux.org/blog/2024-11-18-announcing-95-stable/)
25. [AlmaLinux 10.0 Beta Now Available. 2024](https://almalinux.org/blog/2024-12-10-almalinux-10-0-beta-now-available/)
26. [AlmaLinux 9.6 Beta Now Available!. 2025](https://almalinux.org/blog/2025-04-08-announcing-96-beta/)
27. [General Availability of AlmaLinux 9.6 Stable!. 2025](https://almalinux.org/blog/2025-05-20-almalinux_96_release/)
28. [AlmaLinux OS 10 - usability without compromising compatibility. 2025](https://almalinux.org/blog/2025-05-27-welcoming-almalinux-10/)
29. [AlmaLinux 9.7 Beta Now Available!. 2025](https://almalinux.org/blog/2025-10-07-announcing-97-beta/)
30. [AlmaLinux 10.1 Beta Now Available!. 2025](https://almalinux.org/blog/2025-10-21-announcing-almalinux-10-1-beta/)
31. [General Availability of AlmaLinux OS 9.7 Stable!. 2025](https://almalinux.org/blog/2025-11-17-almalinux_97_release/)
32. [General Availability of AlmaLinux OS 10.1 Stable!. 2025](https://almalinux.org/blog/2025-11-24-almalinux_101_release/)
33. [Release Notes | AlmaLinux Wiki. 2025](https://wiki.almalinux.org/release-notes/)