Ubuntu Server vs SME Server

Struggling to choose between Ubuntu Server and SME Server? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

Ubuntu Server is a Os & Utilities solution with tags like linux, open-source, server, cloud, largescale-deployments.

It boasts features such as Debian-based Linux distribution, Supports multiple architectures like x86, ARM, POWER, IBM Z, and LinuxONE, Uses Linux kernel for core OS functions, Has server-focused features like LXD for containers, Supports cloud deployments on AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform, and more, Has Long Term Support (LTS) versions with 5 years of security updates, Includes server tools like Apache, MySQL, Nginx, Docker, and more, Has Juju for automating deployments, Uses APT as package manager, Has Landscape for systems management and pros including Free and open source, Large ecosystem of compatible software, Strong community support, Very stable and secure, Scales well for large deployments, Supports latest hardware and architectures, Customizable with access to source code, Long term support versions available.

On the other hand, SME Server is a Network & Admin product tagged with linux, centos, email, web-hosting, firewall.

Its standout features include Web server (Apache), Mail server (Postfix), Firewall, VPN, File sharing, Intrusion detection, Antivirus, Antispam, Webmail (Horde), Groupware (Kolab), Monitoring tools, and it shines with pros like Easy to install and configure, Good selection of preconfigured services, Active community support, Free and open source.

Feature	Ubuntu Server	SME Server
Overall Score	N/A	N/A
Primary Category	Os & Utilities	Network & Admin

Product Overview

Ubuntu Server

Description: Ubuntu Server is a free, open source operating system based on Linux, designed for servers, the cloud and large-scale deployments. It has a strong community and large ecosystem of compatible software and tools.

SME Server

Description: SME Server is an open source Linux distribution based on CentOS designed for easy deployment of servers for small and medium businesses. It includes pre-configured applications like email, web hosting, firewall, etc.

Key Features Comparison

Ubuntu Server Features

• Debian-based Linux distribution
• Supports multiple architectures like x86, ARM, POWER, IBM Z, and LinuxONE
• Uses Linux kernel for core OS functions
• Has server-focused features like LXD for containers
• Supports cloud deployments on AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform, and more
• Has Long Term Support (LTS) versions with 5 years of security updates
• Includes server tools like Apache, MySQL, Nginx, Docker, and more
• Has Juju for automating deployments
• Uses APT as package manager
• Has Landscape for systems management

SME Server Features

• Web server (Apache)
• Mail server (Postfix)
• Firewall
• VPN
• File sharing
• Intrusion detection
• Antivirus
• Antispam
• Webmail (Horde)
• Groupware (Kolab)
• Monitoring tools

Pros & Cons Analysis

Ubuntu Server

Pros

• Free and open source
• Large ecosystem of compatible software
• Strong community support
• Very stable and secure
• Scales well for large deployments
• Supports latest hardware and architectures
• Customizable with access to source code
• Long term support versions available

Cons

• Not as user friendly as desktop distributions
• Requires more technical knowledge to administer
• LTS versions can lag behind latest software versions
• Not as many graphical tools available
• Less support options than paid enterprise distros

SME Server

Pros

• Easy to install and configure
• Good selection of preconfigured services
• Active community support
• Free and open source

Cons

• Limited scalability for large deployments
• Relies on older versions of some software components
• Limited selection of supported hardware

Pricing Comparison

Ubuntu Server

• Open Source
• Free

SME Server

• Open Source