Freedom251 › Server Operating System
Ubuntu Server
What Ubuntu Server is
Ubuntu Server is a Linux operating system for enterprise data centers, public and private clouds, Kubernetes clusters and render farms. It can run on physical servers, virtual machines, cloud instances and IoT or edge devices. The server page describes a lean initial deployment, tools for deployment and application modeling, and hardware OEM certification. LTS releases receive five years of standard security updates for thousands of open-source packages in the Ubuntu Main repository. Ubuntu Server is available for Intel or AMD 64-bit systems, ARM, IBM POWER, IBM Z and RISC-V platforms. Listed installation requirements include 1.5 GB of system memory, 5 GB of free disk space, and a USB port or DVD drive for installer media. Ubuntu Pro extends LTS security maintenance to 10 years, with a Legacy add-on extending it to 15. Pro also includes Kernel Livepatch, security hardening features for listed compliance frameworks, and Landscape for centralized fleet management. The server has a free option; paid Pro plans and support options are also listed.
Who it suits
Ubuntu Server suits administrators deploying Linux across physical infrastructure, cloud environments, virtual machines or edge devices. Organizations needing longer security coverage, fleet management or enterprise support can consider Ubuntu Pro options.
What it does well
- Free server option is listed.
- LTS receives five years of standard security updates.
- Supports several CPU architecture families.
- Ubuntu Pro extends maintenance coverage up to 15 years.
- Landscape provides centralized estate management.
What to know first
- Listed download for Intel or AMD 64-bit systems is 3GB.
- Installation requires at least 1.5 GB system memory.
- Ubuntu Pro Workstation costs $25 a year per machine.
- Some Pro plans exclude knowledge base access.
Limits
The free Ubuntu Server plan includes five years of standard LTS security and maintenance updates. The free Ubuntu Pro Personal plan covers up to five machines, while Ubuntu Pro Community covers up to 50 machines for active Ubuntu community members.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu Pro Community | Up to 50 machines for active Ubuntu community members | Free |
| Ubuntu Server | Five years of free security and maintenance updates for LTS; extended to up to 15 years with Ubuntu Pro | Free |
| Ubuntu Pro Personal | Up to 5 machines | Free |
| Ubuntu Pro Workstation | per machine per year · Ubuntu Pro; does not include knowledge base access, certified Windows drivers for KVM guests, or Ubuntu Assurance Program | $25 a year |
| Ubuntu Pro with 24/7 Enterprise support — Workstation | full support per machine per year · Weekday support is 50% of the price of 24/7 support | $300 a year |
| Ubuntu Pro with 24/7 Enterprise support — Server with unlimited VMs | full support per machine per year · Weekday support is 50% of the price of 24/7 support | $3,400 a year |
| Ubuntu Pro Server with unlimited VMs | per machine per year · Server with unlimited VMs; does not include knowledge base access, certified Windows drivers for KVM guests, or Ubuntu Assurance Program | $500 a year |
As ubuntu.com lists them, read 3 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Open the Ubuntu Server website and download page.
- Choose an available server image for your CPU architecture; the listed Intel or AMD 64-bit download is a 3GB image.
- Prepare installer media using a USB port or DVD drive.
- Check that the system has at least 1.5 GB of memory and 5 GB of free disk space.
- For virtual machines, consider Multipass or one of the listed virtualization options: VirtualBox, Hyper-V, HyperKit or KVM.
- Choose a free Server plan or an Ubuntu Pro plan; the listed offer includes a 30-day trial.
Verdict
Ubuntu Server covers a range of deployment environments and architectures, with five years of standard LTS security maintenance. Ubuntu Pro adds longer coverage and management features, while paid support plans have separate terms.
Questions
Is Ubuntu Server free?
Yes. The Ubuntu Server plan is listed as free and includes five years of free security and maintenance updates for LTS.
Is there a free trial?
Yes. The pricing note lists a 30-day trial.
How much does Ubuntu Pro Workstation cost?
It costs $25 a year per machine. The plan excludes knowledge base access, certified Windows drivers for KVM guests and Ubuntu Assurance Program.
How long does LTS security maintenance last?
Ubuntu Server LTS receives five years of standard security maintenance. Ubuntu Pro extends coverage to ten years, and the Legacy add-on extends it to 15 years.
Which architectures are listed?
Ubuntu Server lists amd64, arm64, armhf, ppc64el, riscv64 and s390x.
Who makes Ubuntu Server?
Canonical makes Ubuntu Server and says it has nurtured a community around Ubuntu since 2004.
Facts from Ubuntu Server's own pages
- Cloud and deployment tools
- Canonical describes Juju for deploying workloads across AWS, Microsoft Azure, OpenStack private clouds, or bare metal via MAAS, and MAAS for bare metal provisioning. · ubuntu.com, 3 Oct 2026
- Compliance
- Ubuntu Pro includes security hardening features for frameworks and standards including FIPS 140, DISA-STIG, CIS, FedRAMP, CMMC, PCI-DSS, and Cyber Essentials. · ubuntu.com, 3 Oct 2026
- Current download
- The download page lists Ubuntu Server 26.04.1 LTS for Intel or AMD 64-bit systems as a 3GB download. · ubuntu.com, 3 Oct 2026
- Fleet management
- Ubuntu Pro includes access to Landscape for centralized administration, staggered updates, asset inventory, hardening, and audit functions. · ubuntu.com, 3 Oct 2026
- Hardware and workloads
- The server page describes a lean initial deployment, integrated deployment and application modeling tools, and certification by hardware OEMs. · ubuntu.com, 3 Oct 2026
- Live patching
- Ubuntu Pro Kernel Livepatch automates patching of high and critical kernel vulnerabilities while systems run, allowing maintenance windows to be deferred. · ubuntu.com, 3 Oct 2026
- LTS maintenance
- Ubuntu Server LTS releases receive five years of standard security updates for thousands of open source packages in the Ubuntu Main repository by default. · ubuntu.com, 3 Oct 2026
- Maker
- Canonical says it has nurtured a community around Ubuntu since 2004. · canonical.com, 3 Oct 2026
- Other architectures
- Ubuntu Server is also offered for ARM, IBM POWER, IBM Z (s390x), and multiple RISC-V platforms. · ubuntu.com, 3 Oct 2026
- Product integrations
- Ubuntu Pro is described as integrated with AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud marketplaces, where customers can activate features and receive billing through their cloud provider. · ubuntu.com, 3 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Ubuntu Server is designed to scale across enterprise data centers and public or private clouds, including OpenStack clouds, Kubernetes clusters, and large render farms. · ubuntu.com, 3 Oct 2026
- Security coverage
- Ubuntu Pro extends LTS security maintenance from five years to ten years for the full Ubuntu Archive, and the Legacy add-on extends it to 15 years. · ubuntu.com, 3 Oct 2026
- Support
- Ubuntu Pro plus Support offers 24/7 expert support with break-fix and bug-fix coverage for infrastructure and applications. · ubuntu.com, 3 Oct 2026
- System requirements
- The listed installation requirements include 1.5 GB system memory, 5 GB of free hard drive space, and a USB port or DVD drive for installer media. · ubuntu.com, 3 Oct 2026
- Virtualization
- The download page links Multipass for creating Ubuntu virtual machines on Windows, Mac, and Linux, and lists VirtualBox, Hyper-V, HyperKit, or KVM. · ubuntu.com, 3 Oct 2026
Where Ubuntu Server stands on Freedom251
- Server Operating System#15 of 29
- Operating Systems#33 of 42