DreamHost's VPS pages offer seven Linux images: Ubuntu 26.04 and 24.04, Debian 13, AlmaLinux 10 and 9, and Rocky Linux 10 and 9, and they all cost the same on every Stack plan. Once the server launches, you can't change the image without reprovisioning.
The four side by side
| Debian 13 | Ubuntu LTS | AlmaLinux | Rocky Linux | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Versions DreamHost offers | 13 | 26.04 or 24.04 | 10 or 9 | 10 or 9 |
| Family and package tool | Debian, apt | Debian family, apt | Red Hat family, dnf | Red Hat family, dnf |
| Updates until | June 30, 2030, with Debian's LTS team covering it from August 2028 | May 2031 on 26.04, May 2029 on 24.04, for packages in Main. Ubuntu Pro adds five years, paid for business use | May 31, 2035 on 10, May 31, 2032 on 9. Limited updates only after May 2030 on 10 and May 2027 on 9 | May 31, 2035 on 10, May 31, 2032 on 9. Limited updates only after May 2030 on 10 and May 2027 on 9 |
| Default PHP, Python and PostgreSQL | PHP 8.4, Python 3.13, PostgreSQL 17 | 26.04: PHP 8.5, Python 3.14, PostgreSQL 18. 24.04: PHP 8.3, Python 3.12, PostgreSQL 16 | 10: PHP 8.3, Python 3.12, PostgreSQL 16. 9: PHP 8.0, Python 3.9, PostgreSQL 13, with newer versions in the same repositories | 10: PHP 8.3, Python 3.12, PostgreSQL 16. 9: PHP 8.0, Python 3.9, PostgreSQL 13, with newer versions in the same repositories |
| Automatic updates (the project's default) | unattended-upgrades, on in Debian's cloud image | unattended-upgrades, on by default | dnf-automatic, which you install and turn on | dnf-automatic, which you install and turn on |
| cPanel | Not supported | 24.04 only | 10 and 9 | Support removed |
| Docker's install docs | Debian 13 and 12 named | 26.04, 24.04 and 22.04 named | Not named. Docker's RHEL 8 to 10 steps may work but aren't tested there | Not named. Docker's RHEL 8 to 10 steps may work but aren't tested there |
| RAM the project asks for | 512 MB minimum, 1 GB recommended | 1 GB minimum (24.04 cloud image), 3 GB suggested | 1.5 GB minimum | 2 GB minimum. Its production profile asks for 4 to 8 GB or more and 4 or more cores |
Dates, versions and support lists come from each publisher's own pages and package archives, such as Ubuntu's package pages and the AlmaLinux repository, checked October 15, 2026. Our own test, below, read the same default versions on Ubuntu and AlmaLinux 10.
Choose Debian 13 if
You're running Docker containers or a web app and want a lean base that changes slowly.
Choose Ubuntu if
Your app's install guide is written for Ubuntu, or you want the newest default PHP, Python and PostgreSQL, which 26.04 has.
Choose AlmaLinux or Rocky Linux if
You're coming from CentOS or Red Hat, a vendor certifies its software for RHEL, or you want the longest support window without a subscription.
What each one used on our test VM (not a DreamHost server)
We started each project's own arm64 cloud image on a test VM with 2 vCPU and 4 GB of memory, the shape of Stack 4, let it settle for 10 minutes and read the memory in use. Then we added the same web stack to each from its own repositories: nginx, PHP-FPM, MariaDB, PostgreSQL and Valkey.
| Image | Memory, fresh | Memory with the web stack | Disk, fresh |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 13.7 | 210 MiB | 465 MiB | 662 MiB |
| Ubuntu 26.04.1 | 380 MiB | 595 MiB | 2,263 MiB |
| Ubuntu 24.04.5 | 290 MiB | 465 MiB | 1,766 MiB |
| AlmaLinux 10.2 | 325 MiB | 515 MiB | 1,202 MiB |
| Rocky Linux 10.2 | 295 MiB | 495 MiB | 1,305 MiB |
Every image used under 400 MiB fresh and under 600 MiB with the web stack, so on a 4 GB plan the choice of Linux moves memory by about 170 MiB at most. Pick by software support and update windows. These ran on our test machine, not on a DreamHost server or DreamHost's own images, on October 20, 2026, once each. The Debian and Ubuntu runs and the AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux runs used the same sampler and VM size. They used different days' images, and each stack ran the same services at its distro's own package versions. We didn't measure Docker on each one.
Start from what you'll run
| If you'll run | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Docker containers or a Compose stack | Debian 13 or Ubuntu | Docker's install docs name both. Several DreamHost app images already run on Debian 13 |
| A one-click app from the DreamHost library | You don't need to choose | The app image brings its own OS. Immich, Umami, Uptime Kuma, Hermes Agent, Paperclip and Pelican state Debian 13 |
| cPanel for client sites | AlmaLinux 10 or 9, or Ubuntu 24.04 | cPanel doesn't install on Ubuntu 26.04, Debian or Rocky Linux. The Ubuntu page's buttons start on 26.04, so choose 24.04 when you order |
| Software certified for RHEL, or CentOS runbooks | AlmaLinux or Rocky Linux | Both use dnf and the RHEL toolchain, so CentOS habits carry over |
| An app whose install guide is written for Ubuntu | Ubuntu | You follow the vendor's steps as written |
Docker's install page names Ubuntu, Debian and RHEL among its platforms, and says its steps may work on derivatives but aren't tested there. AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux are rebuilds of RHEL (Red Hat Enterprise Linux), so on those you'd follow the RHEL steps. You can also skip the install. The Docker and Portainer image comes with both preconfigured, so you can start on your Compose file the day the server is up.
Debian or Ubuntu
Both install software with apt and upgrade in place one release at a time, so the choice comes down to support terms and how new the software is. Debian 13 came out on August 9, 2025. Debian's regular support runs to August 9, 2028, and then Debian LTS, a separate group of volunteers and companies, takes it to June 30, 2030.
Ubuntu's five years of standard updates cover the Main repository, and Universe, where Ubuntu keeps its community packages, is covered only through Ubuntu Pro, which also stretches an LTS to ten years. Pro is free for personal use on up to five machines. A business server needs a paid subscription.
For the newest PHP or PostgreSQL without adding a repository, take Ubuntu 26.04. Our guide on Ubuntu or Debian for a VPS compares the two in more depth. Our post on Ubuntu 22.04 or 24.04 covers the earlier version choice, and Debian 12 or 13 covers Debian's.
AlmaLinux or Rocky Linux for RHEL software
Their support dates match to the day, and both use dnf. Our guide on AlmaLinux or Rocky Linux covers the pair in detail. The Rocky Linux VPS page puts the difference this way: Rocky aims to be 100% bug-for-bug compatible
with RHEL, and AlmaLinux is binary-compatible and free to ship its own fixes sooner.
AlmaLinux keeps an in-place path to the next major version through its own upgrade tool, and cPanel runs on it. Rocky Linux doesn't have either now. The tool dropped Rocky upgrades in its November 3, 2025 update. cPanel removed Rocky support too. DreamHost's Rocky Linux image includes Cockpit, a browser console for services, logs and updates that stays off until you enable it. For a new server, take version 10 unless a vendor certifies its software only for 9.
If you're replacing a CentOS 7 server, our CentOS 7 guide compares rebuilding, converting in place and paying for extended support.
How long each one gets updates
I'll set this up and I want to keep it running reasonably for X years with unattended-upgrades.
Without a subscription, the RHEL pair is supported the longest, to May 31, 2035 on version 10, though its full support ends in May 2030, a year before Ubuntu 26.04's standard support. Ubuntu Pro would carry 26.04 to May 2036, per Canonical's release cycle, and Debian's releases page lists paid third-party extended support for Debian 13 to 2035.
Ubuntu Server installs unattended-upgrades and installs updates once a day by default, and Debian 13's cloud image ships it switched on as well (we checked on a test VM in October 2026). A Debian server set up from the regular installer may need you to add it. On AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux the equivalent is dnf-automatic, which you install and then switch on through its timer. After launch, systemctl list-timers shows the timers your server already has scheduled.
What you can't change later
A different Linux means you'll need a new server. The next major version of the same one depends on the family:
- Debian: upgrades in place one release at a time. Debian 13's notes support upgrades from Debian 12 only.
- Ubuntu: upgrades in place with
do-release-upgrade, and Canonical's upgrade guide says you can't skip an LTS. - AlmaLinux: the same upgrade tool takes 8 to 9 and 9 to 10 in place. AlmaLinux recommends testing it in a virtual machine or sandbox before you run it in production.
- Rocky Linux: the project's release page doesn't recommend major version upgrades. It says to back up, install the new version fresh and import your data.
Choosing a Linux for your VPS FAQs
Which Linux is best for Docker?
Debian or Ubuntu, if you want the path Docker writes down. Its install docs name Debian 13 and 12 and Ubuntu 26.04, 24.04 and 22.04. On AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux you'd use Docker's RHEL steps, which Docker says may work on derivatives but doesn't test there.
Can I run cPanel on Debian or Rocky Linux?
Not on Rocky Linux, since cPanel removed support for it, existing installs included, and Debian isn't on its list. For AlmaLinux, cPanel says it tests only the official upstream releases and that pre-built images may have trouble installing it, so try a fresh server before you move client sites. Each cPanel server needs its own license.
What is the lifespan of Rocky Linux?
About ten years per major version: general support for roughly the first five, then limited updates. Rocky Linux 9 is supported through May 31, 2032, and the timeline above has version 10's dates.
Can I change my VPS's operating system later?
Only by reprovisioning with a new image and restoring your data onto it. Back up your data and config first. DreamHost's Help Center says your SSH login user changes with the OS too: Ubuntu uses ubuntu and Debian uses debian.
Does the operating system change which plan I need?
Usually it doesn't. The highest minimum any of the four lists is 2 GB, and Stack plans start at 4 GB. Rocky Linux's production profile is the exception: it asks for 4 or more cores, and Stack 16 is the first plan with 4. The VPS plan guide covers sizing.
Sources
- Ubuntu release cycle, Canonical, Oct 15, 2026. ubuntu.com/about/release-cycle
- Ubuntu end of life, endoflife.date, Oct 15, 2026. endoflife.date/ubuntu
- Upgrade your release, Canonical, Oct 9, 2026. ubuntu.com/server/docs/how-to/software/upgrade-your-release
- Ubuntu Server system requirements, Canonical, Oct 9, 2026. ubuntu.com/server/docs/reference/installation/system-requirements
- Debian Releases, Debian, Oct 15, 2026. debian.org/releases
- Upgrades from Debian 12 (bookworm), Debian, Oct 9, 2026. debian.org/releases/trixie/release-notes/upgrading.en.html
- Meeting Minimum Hardware Requirements, Debian, Oct 9, 2026. debian.org/releases/trixie/amd64/ch03s04.en.html
- AlmaLinux Release Notes, AlmaLinux OS Foundation, Oct 15, 2026. wiki.almalinux.org/release-notes
- ELevate, AlmaLinux OS Foundation, Oct 15, 2026. almalinux.org/elevate
- AlmaLinux Installation Guide, AlmaLinux OS Foundation, Oct 9, 2026. wiki.almalinux.org/documentation/installation-guide.html
- Rocky Releases, Rocky Enterprise Software Foundation, Oct 15, 2026. docs.rockylinux.org/10/releases
- Rocky Linux 10 Minimum Hardware Requirements, Rocky Enterprise Software Foundation, Oct 9, 2026. docs.rockylinux.org/guides/minimum_hardware_requirements
- System Requirements, cPanel, Oct 15, 2026. docs.cpanel.net/installation-guide/system-requirements
- System Requirements for AlmaLinux OS, cPanel, Oct 15, 2026. docs.cpanel.net/installation-guide/system-requirements-almalinux
- System Requirements for Ubuntu, cPanel, Oct 15, 2026. docs.cpanel.net/installation-guide/system-requirements-ubuntu
- System Requirements for Rocky Linux, cPanel, Oct 15, 2026. docs.cpanel.net/installation-guide/system-requirements-rockylinux
- Install Docker Engine, Docker, Oct 15, 2026. docs.docker.com/engine/install
- Install Docker Engine on Ubuntu, Docker, Oct 15, 2026. docs.docker.com/engine/install/ubuntu
- Install Docker Engine on Debian, Docker, Oct 15, 2026. docs.docker.com/engine/install/debian
- Install Docker Engine on RHEL, Docker, Oct 15, 2026. docs.docker.com/engine/install/rhel
- Configuring and connecting to a VPS, DreamHost Help Center, Oct 9, 2026. help.dreamhost.com/hc/en-us/articles/50476225294740-Configuring-and-connecting-to-a-VPS
- Ubuntu Pro pricing, Canonical, Oct 15, 2026. ubuntu.com/pricing/pro
- Automatic updates, Canonical, Oct 15, 2026. ubuntu.com/server/docs/how-to/software/automatic-updates
- Debian Long Term Support, Debian, Oct 15, 2026. debian.org/lts
- Debian Reference, Debian package management, Debian, Oct 15, 2026. debian.org/doc/manuals/debian-reference/ch02.en.html
- Debian archive package versions for trixie (madison), Debian, Oct 15, 2026. api.ftp-master.debian.org/madison?package=php8.4%20python3.13%20postgresql-17&s=trixie&text=on
- Ubuntu packages: php, python3 and postgresql in resolute and noble, Canonical, Oct 15, 2026. packages.ubuntu.com/resolute/php
- AlmaLinux 10 and 9 package repositories, AlmaLinux OS Foundation, Oct 15, 2026. repo.almalinux.org/almalinux
- Rocky Linux 10 and 9 package repositories, Rocky Enterprise Software Foundation, Oct 15, 2026. dl.rockylinux.org/pub/rocky
- Patching with dnf-automatic, Rocky Enterprise Software Foundation, Oct 15, 2026. docs.rockylinux.org/guides/security/dnf_automatic
- Hacker News comment (KronisLV, March 2023), Hacker News, Oct 9, 2026. news.ycombinator.com/item?id=35072764