Choosing an Operating System for Your VPS

Every JetHost VPS lets you choose from 14 distributions across five families, kept current with the latest point releases. The right choice depends on the software you’ll run and what you’re comfortable maintaining.

Available distributions

Ubuntu – 22.04, 24.04, 26.04
Debian – 11, 12, 13
AlmaLinux – 8, 9, 10
Rocky Linux – 8, 9, 10
FreeBSD – 14, 15

How to choose

Ubuntu – the most beginner-friendly choice, with the largest pool of tutorials and packages
Debian – rock-solid and lightweight; a favourite for servers that should just keep running
AlmaLinux / Rocky Linux – enterprise (RHEL-compatible) distros, ideal if your software targets CentOS/RHEL
FreeBSD – a non-Linux option for advanced users who want ZFS and the BSD networking stack

Changing your OS later

You’re not locked in. You can switch distributions any time from the Reinstall tab – just remember it erases the disk, so back up first.

JetHost Experts Tip

If you’re unsure, pick Ubuntu LTS (24.04). LTS releases get years of updates, and almost every guide you’ll find online assumes Ubuntu, which makes troubleshooting much easier.

Need More Help?

The best OS is the one your software supports and you’re comfortable maintaining – and you can change it whenever you like. If you get stuck, the JetHost team is available 24/7 and usually answers in under five minutes – just contact us and we’ll help you sort it out. Explore our other VPS tutorials to get the most out of your server.