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Amazon Linux
What Amazon Linux is
Amazon Linux is AWS’s portfolio of Linux-based operating systems for cloud and container workloads. Amazon Linux 2023 (AL2023) is a general-purpose, RPM-based distribution designed to work with AWS services and scale in the cloud. It is optimized for Amazon EC2 and integrates with tools including Systems Manager and AWS CLI. Its DNF package manager and versioned repositories support package management; AMIs and container images are available for deployment. AL2023 pins images to a particular package repository version for predictable behavior, while letting customers choose when to take updates. It has configurable security policies, including SELinux modes and FUTURE or LEGACY cryptographic policies. Kernel live patching can apply critical and important security fixes without rebooting. Each AL2023 version receives five years of support; the listed lifecycle runs through June 30, 2029, with standard support through June 30, 2027, then maintenance support. Amazon Linux 2027 is also available as a public preview for non-production testing. Its preview images support x86-64 and Graviton (aarch64) across commercial AWS Regions, and container base images are published to Amazon ECR Public Gallery.
Who it suits
AL2023 suits teams deploying general-purpose Linux workloads on EC2 or in Docker-compatible containers, especially when AWS integrations, versioned repositories, and a defined support lifecycle matter. AL2027 is for evaluating cloud-native workloads in non-production environments, not workloads that require AWS Support coverage.
What it does well
- AL2023 is optimized for EC2 and integrates with Systems Manager and AWS CLI.
- Versioned repositories let customers choose when to take updates.
- Kernel live patching can apply important fixes without downtime.
- Each AL2023 version receives five years of support.
- Container images can be used outside AWS, including local development.
What to know first
- AWS service and EC2 charges still apply to AL2023 use.
- AL2023 does not include Amazon Linux Extras.
- AWS Support agreements do not cover the AL2027 public preview.
- AWS recommends keeping production workloads on AL2023 until AL2027 general availability.
Limits
AL2023 does not have Amazon Linux Extras; additional higher-level software packages are provided as namespaced packages through quarterly releases. The AL2027 public preview is not covered by AWS Support agreements. The operating system has no additional charge, but EC2 and other AWS service charges apply.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon Linux 2023 | No additional charge for the operating system · EC2 and other AWS service charges apply | Free |
| Amazon Linux 2027 (Preview) | No additional licensing cost · Standard EC2 instance charges apply · AWS Support agreements do not cover the public preview | Free |
As aws.amazon.com lists them, read 8 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Open the Amazon Linux website.
- Choose AL2023 or the AL2027 public preview for a non-production workload.
- For EC2, launch the AL2023 AMI through the EC2 console, AWS SDK, or CLI.
- For container use, select an available Amazon Linux container image.
- For AL2027, choose an x86-64 or Graviton (aarch64) AMI in a commercial AWS Region, or use its container base image from Amazon ECR Public Gallery.
Verdict
Choose AL2023 for AWS-oriented Linux deployments that need EC2 integration, selectable updates, and a support lifecycle through June 30, 2029. Consider AL2027 only for non-production preview workloads; its public preview is not covered by AWS Support agreements.
Questions
How much does Amazon Linux cost?
Amazon Linux 2023 is free, with no additional charge for the operating system; EC2 and other AWS service charges apply. Amazon Linux 2027 (Preview) is also free, with no additional licensing cost, while standard EC2 instance charges apply.
Is there a free plan or trial?
The listed pricing model is free and the free plan is available. There is no free trial.
Which platforms and architectures are supported?
Amazon Linux is listed for Linux and self-hosted use, with EC2 instances and Docker container workloads. AL2023 supports x86-64 and 64-bit ARM; its EC2 ARM support requires Graviton2 or later. AL2027 preview AMIs are available for x86-64 and Graviton (aarch64) across commercial AWS Regions.
Can I use Amazon Linux outside AWS?
AL2023 images can be used outside AWS, including for local development, but AWS Support Plans do not cover those uses. Amazon Linux container images are also described as usable in any environment.
How long is AL2023 supported?
AL2023 is supported until June 30, 2029. Standard support runs through June 30, 2027, followed by maintenance support; individual LTS kernels are supported for four years.
Is Amazon Linux 2027 ready for production?
AL2027 is in public preview for testing non-production workloads. AWS Support agreements do not cover the preview, and AWS recommends keeping production workloads on AL2023 until general availability.
Facts from Amazon Linux's own pages
- AL2023 purpose
- Amazon Linux 2023 is a general-purpose RPM-based Linux distribution designed to integrate with AWS services and run at scale in the cloud. · aws.amazon.com, 8 Oct 2026
- AL2027 platforms
- AL2027 preview AMIs are available for x86-64 and Graviton (aarch64) across commercial AWS Regions, and container base images are published to Amazon ECR Public Gallery. · aws.amazon.com, 8 Oct 2026
- AL2027 preview
- Amazon Linux 2027 is in public preview for testing non-production workloads and is built for cloud-native workloads on AWS. · aws.amazon.com, 8 Oct 2026
- AL2027 security
- AL2027 preview enables SELinux enforcing mode by default and includes AWS-LC alongside OpenSSL. · aws.amazon.com, 8 Oct 2026
- AL2027 support limit
- AWS Support agreements do not cover the AL2027 public preview, and AWS recommends keeping production workloads on AL2023 until general availability. · aws.amazon.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Deployment
- AWS provides an AL2023 Amazon Machine Image that can be launched through the EC2 console, AWS SDK, or CLI. · aws.amazon.com, 8 Oct 2026
- EC2 integration
- AL2023 is optimized for Amazon EC2 and integrates with AWS features and tools including Systems Manager and AWS CLI. · aws.amazon.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Kernel maintenance
- AL2023 kernel live patching can apply critical and important kernel security fixes without reboot or downtime. · aws.amazon.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Notable limitation
- AL2023 does not have Amazon Linux Extras; additional higher-level software packages are provided as namespaced packages through quarterly releases. · aws.amazon.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Outside AWS
- AL2023 images can be used outside AWS, but AWS Support Plans do not cover those uses. · aws.amazon.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Product
- Amazon Linux is a portfolio of modern Linux-based operating systems from AWS. · aws.amazon.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Security
- AL2023 includes configurable security policies such as SELinux modes and FUTURE or LEGACY system cryptographic policies. · aws.amazon.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Support
- AL2023 receives five years of support for each version and is supported until June 2029. · aws.amazon.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Updates
- AL2023 locks AMIs and container images to a specific package repository version for deterministic behavior, while allowing customers to select when they take updates. · aws.amazon.com, 8 Oct 2026
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