How Do Linux Distros Make Money?

Linux companies like RedHat and Canonical, the company behind the incredibly popular Ubuntu Linux distro, also make much of their money from professional support services as well. If you think about it, software used to be a one-time sale (with some upgrades), but professional services are an ongoing annuity.

Do Linux distros cost money?

Unlike Windows, which only has one user interface, Linux distros can have several. Of course, one of the biggest benefits of Linux is that it is free. There are countless great operating systems based on the open source kernel that cost nothing, such as Ubuntu and Fedora.

How does Ubuntu make money?

1 Answer. In short, Canonical (the company behind Ubuntu) earns money from it’s free and open source operating system from: Paid Professional Support (like the one Redhat Inc. offers to corporate customers)