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Learn about the differences between NMCLI and NMTUI, two powerful tools for managing network connections on Linux systems, and discover which one is best suited
Discover the key differences between CentOS 8 and CentOS Stream 8, including their release models, stability, and best use cases, to help you choose the right Linux distribution for your needs.
CentOS is a popular Linux distribution that has been widely used by organizations for its stability, security, and close ties to Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). In 2019, two versions of CentOS emerged: CentOS 8 and CentOS Stream 8. While they may appear similar at first glance, they serve distinct purposes and target different user bases. In this article, we’ll explore the key differences between CentOS 8 and CentOS Stream 8, helping you make an informed decision about which one suits your needs.
CentOS 8 was released in September 2019, as a community-supported, downstream distribution of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 (RHEL 8). Its primary goal was to provide a stable, enterprise-class operating system for users who required a free alternative to RHEL, with the same binaries and package versions but without official Red Hat support.
Key characteristics of CentOS 8 include:
While CentOS 8 aimed at users who prioritized stability over innovation, the introduction of CentOS Stream 8 changed the landscape significantly.
CentOS Stream, introduced in 2019, is a rolling-release distribution. Unlike CentOS 8, which was a direct copy of RHEL 8, CentOS Stream acts as a midpoint between Fedora and RHEL. It’s a preview of what the next RHEL minor version will look like.
CentOS Stream allows developers and sysadmins to see and influence the next version of RHEL by providing feedback before official releases.
Key characteristics of CentOS Stream 8 include:
Photo by admingeek from Infotechys
To better understand how CentOS 8 and CentOS Stream 8 differ, let’s break it down into several categories. This table highlights the major differences between the two:
| Feature | CentOS 8 | CentOS Stream 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Release Model | Static release (downstream of RHEL) | Rolling release (upstream of RHEL) |
| Stability | Highly stable, mirrors RHEL 8 exactly | Less stable, since it’s ahead of RHEL updates |
| Update Frequency | Periodic updates, mirrors RHEL 8 updates | Continuous updates with new features |
| Target Users | Production environments prioritizing stability | Developers and sysadmins contributing to or testing new features |
| Support Duration | Ended December 2021 | Ongoing with RHEL updates |
| Package Availability | Mirrors RHEL 8 packages and versions | Receives updates before RHEL, including new features |
| Contribution to RHEL | No community input into RHEL development | Acts as a testing ground for RHEL, open to contributions |
As you can see, CentOS 8 focuses on stability and reliability, while CentOS Stream 8 emphasizes innovation and development.
The announcement in December 2020 to shift focus entirely to CentOS Stream (and discontinue CentOS 8) was met with mixed reactions. Many users who relied on CentOS for its stability felt betrayed, as CentOS Stream’s rolling-release model introduced more frequent updates, which could potentially lead to instability.
However, CentOS Stream offers significant advantages to developers and testers, as it allows them to:
For enterprise users who require long-term stability and consistency, CentOS Stream may not be ideal, and RHEL or other RHEL-based distributions (like AlmaLinux or Rocky Linux) may be better suited.
Because CentOS Stream continuously updates, package versions and management can differ from CentOS 8.
Checking Available Package Versions in CentOS 8 |
CentOS 8 mirrors RHEL 8, so package versions remain relatively static. For example, if you want to check the httpd package version:
$ dnf info httpd
You might get output like this:
Name : httpd
Version : 2.4.37
Release : 39.module_el8.4.0+549+80cf73be
Architecture : x86_64
Checking Available Package Versions in CentOS Stream 8 |
In CentOS Stream, you will likely see newer versions:
$ dnf info httpd
Example output:
Name : httpd
Version : 2.4.46
Release : 11.module_el8.5.0+714+9bc7a92a
Architecture : x86_64
As you can see, CentOS Stream tends to have newer packages, which could be advantageous if you need access to the latest features, but it may also introduce bugs or instability.
Let’s now explore when you should use CentOS 8 vs. CentOS Stream 8.
| Use Case | CentOS 8 | CentOS Stream 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Production Servers | Yes, especially for mission-critical workloads | No, not ideal for production environments |
| Development Environments | No, unless you’re developing for CentOS 8 | Yes, especially if you want to contribute to RHEL or test upcoming features |
| Testing New Features | No, focuses on stability | Yes, ideal for testing new features and updates |
| Community Contributions | No | Yes, contributions help shape future RHEL releases |
| System Administrators | Yes, if stability is crucial | Yes, if you want to test updates and provide feedback |
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