3-year cost calculator
Pre-filled for Red Hat Enterprise Linux → Ubuntu Server. Adjust every figure with your own numbers.
Every figure here is an illustrative estimate, not a vendor quote. Defaults are editable starting points compiled from public information; real, binding pricing comes from the vendor or an authorized distributor. See our methodology.
How this is licensed: On virtual machines, RHEL/SUSE/Windows are effectively counted by vCPU (or per-VM subscription) rather than physical sockets; bare-metal socket/core rules differ. Windows Server Datacenter licenses physical cores of the host but allows unlimited VMs. Set $/vCPU to your subscription model.
All figures are illustrative and fully editable — adjust the cost-per-vCPU and migration inputs with your own numbers. Not guaranteed vendor pricing (defaults reviewed May 2026). For a binding quote, use the request form below to reach an authorized distributor or partner.
Quick comparison: Red Hat Enterprise Linux vs Ubuntu Server
Common trade-offs teams weigh when staying on Red Hat Enterprise Linux versus moving to Ubuntu Server. These are general, commonly-reported considerations — not statements of fact about any vendor — so check them against your own contract and the vendors' current terms.
- Already in production — no migration effort or risk
- Mature ecosystem with vendor support and SLAs
- Per-socket subscription renewals add up across the fleet
- The CentOS Stream shift pushed many to rebuild plans
- Add-on subscriptions for HA and other features
- Audit exposure on subscription compliance
- Ongoing per-socket subscription cost to budget for
- Open source — no license fees
- No vendor lock-in
- Cost model: Free (Pro optional)
- Requires a migration (~12 weeks, low effort)
- Community support by default — paid support optional
Why teams evaluate alternatives to Red Hat Enterprise Linux
Reasons commonly cited by users and in public industry coverage for re-evaluating Red Hat Enterprise Linux. These are general, reported considerations — not statements of fact about Red Hat — and may not reflect your situation or the vendor's current terms. Verify against your own contract before deciding.
- Per-socket subscription renewals add up across the fleet
- The CentOS Stream shift pushed many to rebuild plans
- Add-on subscriptions for HA and other features
- Audit exposure on subscription compliance
The migration plan
Roughly 12 weeks for a mid-size estate, in six phases.
Tooling & automation
Reprovision on Ubuntu; port packages and config via Ansible; test app compatibility; staged cutover.
OffVendor's wizard pre-fills these scripts with your environment — inventory export, disk/schema conversion, bulk provisioning, and validation.
Frequently asked
Is migrating from Red Hat Enterprise Linux to Ubuntu Server worth it?
For most teams facing rising Red Hat Enterprise Linux costs, yes — Ubuntu Server (free (pro optional)) typically lowers 3-year total cost of ownership, though the right answer depends on workload complexity and in-house skills. Use the calculator to model your own numbers.
How long does a Red Hat Enterprise Linux to Ubuntu Server migration take?
A typical mid-size estimate is around 12 weeks across six phases — discovery, design, pilot, waved production migration, validation, and decommission. Larger or more complex estates take longer.
What tools are used to migrate from Red Hat Enterprise Linux to Ubuntu Server?
Reprovision on Ubuntu; port packages and config via Ansible; test app compatibility; staged cutover.