Introduction
AlmaLinux 10 (codename Purple Lion) is the latest major release of the AlmaLinux OS family, officially released May 27, 2025. If you’re running AlmaLinux 8 or 9 (or considering moving from another RHEL-compatible distro), understanding what’s new, what has changed, and how long support lasts is essential. This post walks through the differences, migration considerations, and EOL timelines so you can plan with confidence.
What’s New in AlmaLinux 10 vs Older Versions (8 & 9)
Here are the key improvements and changes in AlmaLinux 10 compared to versions 8.x and 9.x:
| Area | AlmaLinux 10 Highlights | How it differs from AlmaLinux 8 / 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Kernel & Architecture | Uses kernel 6.12.0-55.9.1.el10_0; adds support for x86_64_v2 architecture along with standard x86_64, aarch64, ppc64le, s390x. | AL8 and AL9 supported fewer newer kernel features, less modern hardware support; no x86_64_v2 by default. |
| Updated software stack | Many core languages/tools upgraded: Python 3.12, Ruby 3.3, Node.js 22, PHP 8.3, Perl 5.40. Web servers (Apache, nginx), databases (MariaDB 10.11, MySQL 8.4, PostgreSQL 16) also updated. | AL8/9 have older versions (e.g. earlier PHP, older Node.js etc.), meaning newer features or performance/security enhancements may not be available. |
| Performance & debugging enhancements | Frame pointers enabled by default for better tracing/profiling; better hardware/device support. | Older versions had frame pointers off by default etc., making low-level performance debugging harder. |
| Hardware / architecture support | More devices re-enabled (some removed upstream), support for Secure Boot on ARM; SPICE support reintroduced; tech preview of KVM virtualization on IBM POWER. | AL8/9 had more limited device support, ARM secure boot limitations, and SPICE might have been missing or disabled. |
| Compatibility & packaging | Maintains binary compatibility with RHEL 10; package signing key updated (RPM-GPG-KEY-AlmaLinux-10). Removing i686 (32-bit) packages. | Older major versions supported 32-bit (to greater degree), older toolchains, and older GPG keys, etc. There might be more lag in upstream features. |
Support Lifecycle & End of Life (EOL) Dates
Understanding support timelines is crucial when choosing or migrating to AlmaLinux versions.
| AlmaLinux Version | General Availability | Active Support Ends | Security Support Ends |
|---|---|---|---|
| AlmaLinux 10 | May 27, 2025 | May 31, 2030 | May 31, 2035 |
| AlmaLinux 9 | May 26, 2022 | May 31, 2027 | May 31, 2032 |
| AlmaLinux 8 | March 30, 2021 | Already ended — Active support ended May 31, 2024 | Security support ends May 1, 2029 |
Note: “Active support” means regular feature updates, bug fixes, improvements; “security support” means patches only for vulnerabilities. Once a version is past active support, you’re relying on security fixes only; after security support ends, no further updates are guaranteed.
Migration Considerations: What to Plan & Test
If you’re thinking of migrating from AlmaLinux 8 or 9 (or another distro) to AlmaLinux 10, here are factors to consider, and steps to take for a smoother transition:
- Compatibility of applications and dependencies
- Check your software stack versions (languages, libraries, modules). Some deprecated or removed functionality in older versions may break under newer ones.
- Ensure third-party packages or proprietary software you use are compatible with newer versions of toolchains (e.g. PHP 8.3, Python 3.12).
- Test on hardware / virtual machines
- Try deploying AlmaLinux 10 in a staging environment. Test kernel version, hardware support (especially if using older hardware), performance.
- For virtualization and cloud compute, test things like virtual network drivers, storage performance, GPU or acceleration if applicable.
- Backup critical data & configuration
- Always backup system configurations (in /etc, custom scripts), databases, stored user data.
- Consider version control for config files.
- Review SELinux policies, firewall rules. Sometimes defaults change, or new policies are stricter.
- Migration tool / upgrade path
- AlmaLinux provides the ELevate project / tool for migration between major versions. It can help move from AL8 or AL9 to AL10 with less friction.
- However, early after release, tools might still be catching up (you may need to test carefully, possibly wait for minor point releases if you want maximum stability).
- Work with a Cloud Expert such as Nubius Solutions to help you migrate to a new Operating System. Learn More
- Downtime & support window planning
- Schedule migration during maintenance windows.
- Plan for rollback strategy in case you encounter unexpected issues.
- Security & compliance auditing
- New versions often tighten security defaults. Review SSH settings, cryptographic libraries, secure-boot (if applicable), audit and logging.
- If you’re subject to compliance (PCI, HIPAA, etc.), check that AlmaLinux 10’s newer policies or defaults meet your requirements.
Why Move to AlmaLinux 10 Now (Benefits)
- Longer future support: you get the full lifetime of AlmaLinux 10 (active + security support) until 2035.
- Access to newer software stacks, better performance, more modern hardware support.
- Improved security defaults, updated libraries, modern kernel features.
- Maintained binary compatibility with RHEL 10 means most software built for RHEL 10 will run without changes.
- Better tooling for observability, profiling, and diagnostics (frame pointers, etc.).
What to Watch Out For (Risks or Drawbacks)
- Some custom or legacy software might require adaptation if relying on versions of libraries deprecated in AL10.
- If you rely on 32-bit (i686) packages, those are no longer provided in AL10.
- Early releases may still have minor bugs; if uptime/stability is critical, testing and perhaps waiting for the first few point-releases (10.1, etc.) might reduce risk.
- If you have automation / scripts that assume older default behaviors, kernel versions, or architecture support, you’ll need to audit them.
Summary & Recommendations
AlmaLinux 10 is a strong release with modern improvements, extended hardware support, and a long support window. For most cloud, server, and enterprise use cases, migrating to AlmaLinux 10 makes sense, especially if your current AlmaLinux 9 or 8 server is approaching active support EOL or you want newer features.
If I were advising a business:
- If you’re currently on AL9 and everything is stable, begin planning migration now. Provision test environments and run compatibility checks.
- For AL8 users, migration is more urgent since AL8’s active support has ended; you should start migrating to AL10 (or at least AL9 if needed) soon.
- Keep backups and test thoroughly.
- Monitor upstream changes and community feedback (patches, early bug reports) for AlmaLinux 10.
- Engage a partner such as Nubius Solutions to help you on your migration path.
Conclusion
AlmaLinux 10 (Purple Lion) offers a compelling upgrade path: modern kernel, updated software stack, enhanced hardware support, security improvements, and a clear support timeline into 2035. While migrating always comes with planning, the benefits in performance, security, and future-proofing make it a worthwhile investment.
References & External Sources
For further details and official documentation on AlmaLinux 10, check out the following resources:
- AlmaLinux 10.0 Release Notes (wiki.almalinux.org) – Full details on new features, package updates, architecture support, and known issues.
- AlmaLinux Blog: Welcoming AlmaLinux 10 “Purple Lion” – Official release announcement with highlights.
- AlmaLinux Release Notes Index – Historical release notes for AlmaLinux 8, 9, and 10.
- RHEL Lifecycle Dates (Red Hat) – Since AlmaLinux follows RHEL compatibility, lifecycle timelines align with RHEL 10.
- ELevate Project (almalinux.org) – Migration tool for upgrading between major versions (e.g., from AlmaLinux 8 or 9 to 10).