Red Hat Enterprise Linux10.2
Commercially supported enterprise Linux.
What is Red Hat Enterprise Linux?
Red Hat Enterprise Linux is the commercial platform many enterprise applications certify against. Subscriptions include support, security response, and management tools. A no-cost Red Hat Developer subscription covers individual developers on a limited number of systems.
Who is Red Hat Enterprise Linux for?
Red Hat Enterprise Linux fits best for servers and development. Where it ranks in our lists:
- #5 of 13: best Linux distros for servers
- #15 of 29: best Linux distros for programming and development
Pros
- Vendor support and certifications
- Long lifecycle per major version
- Extensive enterprise documentation
Cons
- Production use requires a subscription
- Conservative desktop software
Red Hat Enterprise Linux system requirements
For a comfortable desktop with a modern web browser, plan for about 2 GB of RAM, and less is workable with a light desktop. Red Hat Enterprise Linux is available for x86_64, aarch64, ppc64le, s390x. Leave at least 25 GB of storage for the system and applications. These figures are editorial guidance; check the official documentation for minimums.
Red Hat Enterprise Linux versions and support dates
| Version | Released | Latest | Support ends | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 10LTS | May 20, 2025 | 10.2 | May 31, 2035 | Supported |
| RHEL 9LTS | May 18, 2022 | 9.8 | May 31, 2032 | Supported |
| RHEL 8LTS | May 7, 2019 | 8.10 | May 31, 2029 | Supported |
| RHEL 7LTS | Jun 10, 2014 | 7.9 | Jun 30, 2024 | Ended |
| RHEL 6LTS | Nov 10, 2010 | 6.10 | Nov 30, 2020 | Ended |
| RHEL 5LTS | Mar 15, 2007 | 5.11 | Mar 31, 2017 | Ended |
| RHEL 4 | Feb 15, 2005 | 4.9 | Feb 29, 2012 | Ended |
Source: endoflife.date. Support scope varies by product; confirm on the project’s site.
Try Red Hat Enterprise Linux before you install
Write the image to a USB stick and boot it as a live session to test Wi-Fi, graphics, sound, and suspend on your own computer. A browser trial on DistroSea shows the desktop, but cannot verify your hardware.
Compare Red Hat Enterprise Linux with…
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Red Hat Enterprise Linux: common questions
What is Red Hat Enterprise Linux based on?
Red Hat Enterprise Linux is based on Independent (Fedora-derived). It uses DNF · RPM for software and systemd as its init system.
What is the latest version of Red Hat Enterprise Linux?
The latest Red Hat Enterprise Linux release is 10.2, released May 20, 2026, according to endoflife.date.
How long is Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10 supported?
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10 is listed as supported until May 31, 2035. It is a long-term support release.
Is Red Hat Enterprise Linux good for beginners?
It is manageable if you are comfortable troubleshooting and occasionally using a terminal. Complete beginners may prefer Linux Mint or Ubuntu first.
How much RAM does Red Hat Enterprise Linux need?
We suggest about 2 GB of RAM for a comfortable desktop experience with a modern browser. This is editorial guidance, not the project’s official minimum, which can be lower. It runs on x86_64, aarch64, ppc64le, s390x.
What desktop does Red Hat Enterprise Linux use?
Red Hat Enterprise Linux offers GNOME (optional).
Is Red Hat Enterprise Linux a rolling release?
No. Red Hat Enterprise Linux uses fixed releases; you upgrade to a new version periodically.
Is Red Hat Enterprise Linux free?
Production use needs a paid subscription. A no-cost developer subscription is available for individual use.