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When you claim or reinstall your VPS, you get to pick an OS image. Here is a short guide to help you choose.

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Quick recommendation

  • Just want it to work? Pick Ubuntu 24.04 LTS.
  • Want something lightweight and stable? Pick Debian 12.
  • Need something specific? Read on.

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Ubuntu

The most popular Linux distribution for servers. Almost every tutorial on the internet assumes Ubuntu, and almost every piece of software has a .deb package or install script for it.
  • Best for: Beginners, general-purpose servers, following third-party tutorials.
  • Versions to prefer: LTS (Long-Term Support) releases, currently 24.04.
  • Package manager: apt.

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Debian

Ubuntu’s upstream. Slightly older packages, but rock-solid stability and a smaller default install.
  • Best for: Servers you want to leave alone for a long time, minimal setups, users who want fewer preinstalled things.
  • Versions to prefer: Debian 12 (Bookworm).
  • Package manager: apt.

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Which should you pick?

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Switching later

You can change your OS at any time by doing a reinstall. Just remember: reinstalling wipes the disk, so back up anything you care about first (see Backups & Snapshots).
When in doubt, go with Ubuntu 24.04 LTS. Every guide in this documentation is written against Ubuntu/Debian and everything just works.