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CentOS Stream
What CentOS Stream is
CentOS Stream is a free Linux distribution positioned between Fedora Linux and RHEL, tracking development just ahead of RHEL. The project presents it as a place to participate in the RHEL ecosystem. It can be used as a production operating system, development environment, or preview of an upcoming minor RHEL release. Derived from Fedora Linux, its development is open to contributions. Downloads include ISOs, RPMs, cloud and container images, and Vagrant boxes. Supported architectures are listed as x86_64, ARM64, IBM Power, and IBM Z, with specific hardware generations varying by release. It is suited to servers, workstations, cloud instances, and containers, with DNF repositories and package management built in. Major versions arrive every three years and are maintained for five years; CentOS Stream 10 is listed as maintained until 2030, while version 9 reaches end of life on May 31, 2027. Legacy CentOS releases are no longer maintained and remain in CentOS Vault for historical use.
Who it suits
CentOS Stream suits people who want a Linux system for production, development, or to preview RHEL changes. Its open development also suits contributors to the RHEL ecosystem.
What it does well
- Free to download.
- Open development welcomes contributions.
- Downloads include cloud and container images.
- Supports servers, workstations, cloud instances, and containers.
- DNF repositories and package management are built in.
What to know first
- CentOS Stream 9 reaches end of life on May 31, 2027.
- Legacy CentOS releases are no longer maintained.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| CentOS Stream | Free software distribution · available for download | Free |
As centos.org lists them, read 29 Sept 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit the CentOS Stream website.
- Choose a download format such as an ISO, cloud image, container image, or Vagrant box.
- Select an available architecture for the release you want.
- Install or deploy it on a server, workstation, cloud instance, or container.
Verdict
CentOS Stream offers a free, open development platform that can also serve production and preview needs. Check the lifecycle of the release you plan to use, especially if considering version 9 or a legacy CentOS release.
Questions
How much does CentOS Stream cost?
The CentOS Stream plan is listed as free, and the distribution is available for download.
Is there a free trial?
No. CentOS Stream is offered as free software rather than through a trial.
Which platforms and architectures are supported?
It is listed for Linux and self-hosted use. Downloads list x86_64, ARM64, IBM Power, and IBM Z architectures, with specific hardware generations varying by release.
What download formats are available?
The download page lists ISOs, RPMs, cloud images, container images, and Vagrant boxes.
How long are releases maintained?
The project says each major version is maintained for five years. CentOS Stream 10 is maintained until 2030, and CentOS Stream 9 reaches end of life on 2027-05-31.
Can people contribute to CentOS Stream?
Yes. The project invites help with documentation, quality assurance, testing, coding through Special Interest Groups, mirroring or hosting, and helping other users.
Facts from CentOS Stream's own pages
- Architecture support
- Downloads are listed for x86_64, ARM64 (aarch64), IBM Power (ppc64le), and IBM Z (s390x). · centos.org, 29 Sept 2026
- Cloud and containers
- The project provides cloud images and says official images are available through Amazon Web Services, Quay Registry, and Docker Registry. · centos.org, 29 Sept 2026
- Community contributions
- The project invites contributions through documentation, QA, testing, SIG coding, mirroring or hosting, and helping other users. · centos.org, 29 Sept 2026
- Delivery formats
- The download page lists ISOs, RPMs, cloud images, container images, and Vagrant boxes. · centos.org, 29 Sept 2026
- Development
- CentOS Stream is derived from Fedora Linux, and its development is open to all. · centos.org, 29 Sept 2026
- Notable limitation
- The download page says legacy CentOS versions are no longer maintained and are available from CentOS Vault for historical purposes. · centos.org, 29 Sept 2026
- Product
- CentOS Stream is a continuously delivered Linux distribution that tracks just ahead of RHEL development, between Fedora Linux and RHEL. · centos.org, 29 Sept 2026
- Purpose
- The project describes CentOS Stream as a platform for participating and collaborating in the RHEL ecosystem. · centos.org, 29 Sept 2026
- Release cadence
- The project says CentOS Stream has a new major version every three years, with each release maintained for five years. · centos.org, 29 Sept 2026
- Special Interest Groups
- CentOS SIGs produce variant editions and alternative images, develop and package software, and support the project with non-technical activities. · centos.org, 29 Sept 2026
- Support and maintenance
- The project says CentOS Stream updates are maintained by the RHEL team and are intended for RHEL. · centos.org, 29 Sept 2026
- Use cases
- CentOS Stream can serve as a production operating system, a development environment, or a preview of the next minor RHEL release. · centos.org, 29 Sept 2026
Where CentOS Stream stands on Freedom251
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