How Long Each Ubuntu, Fedora and Debian Release Is Actually Supported

Ubuntu, Fedora and Debian are three of the most popular Linux distributions. Each follows its own support cycle, and knowing the differences between them is essential for anyone planning to upgrade their system. The term "supported" can mean different things depending on the distribution, so it's important to understand what each distribution means by this term. This article will outline the support periods for each distribution and compare their approaches.

Comparing Ubuntu, Fedora and Debian Lifecycles

Ubuntu, Fedora, and Debian have different support lifecycle models. With Ubuntu, the Long Term Support (LTS) version offers a full five years of maintenance and support, which includes security updates and bug fixes. The interim versions are every six months, with months of standard security updates. After the five years of standard support end, users can purchase a subscription to Ubuntu Pro for Extended Security Maintenance (ESM), which extends the support period by five years. In practice, this means Ubuntu 24.04 LTS will receive security updates until Apr 2034 with ESM, and Ubuntu 20.04 LTS until 2030 with Ubuntu Pro.

Debian is known for its extended support periods, with a total of five years of support for each release. This is divided into two phases: three years of full support, followed by two years of Long Term Support (LTS). During the full support phase, the release receives regular updates and security patches. During the LTS period, the focus shifts to critical security updates and bug fixes. On Aug 31, 2026, Debian 11 Bullseye will receive its last security update.

Finally, Fedora has a relatively short support cycle, with a new release every six months and a total maintenance period of approximately 13 months. This means that each Fedora release is effectively supported for about a year and several months before reaching its end of life (EOL) and ceasing to receive updates. Since 2025-05-13, Fedora 40 has been officially listed as End-of-Life (EOL).

Ubuntu's LTS and ESM

For those interested in the exact numbers, Ubuntu 20.04 LTS reached the end of its standard five-year support on 31 May 2025. However, users can still extend this period by subscribing to the Ubuntu Pro subscription for Extended Security Maintenance (ESM), which runs until April 2030, with security commensurate with the level delivered in the initial five years.

Fedora's End-of-Life

Fedora operates on a very different model from Ubuntu and Debian, releasing a new version every six months. Each version is supported for approximately 13 months, during which time it receives regular updates and security patches. After this period, the version is considered end-of-life (EOL), and no further updates are released. This means that a Fedora release will have received around 13 months of updates by the end of its cycle.

Debian's Support Phases

Debian's support for a release is divided into two main phases. The first phase, which lasts for 3 years, is marked by comprehensive support and updates for all software packages in the main repository. During this period, the Debian Security Tracker works in conjunction with Debian developers to handle security updates and advisories. After 3 years, Debian enters the Long Term Support (LTS) period, which lasts for 2 more years. During this phase, support is limited to providing security updates and fixing critical bugs. It's important to note that the scope of support is slightly reduced, as Debian focuses on keeping the system secure and stable for users who have committed to staying with this release.

A Common Terminology: Understanding EOL

For Ubuntu, the end of a release's life is marked at the end of standard support, although this is not the final EOL for the release, as Ubuntu Pro/ESM continues to provide support. For Fedora, the EOL is when no more updates are created for the release, which occurs 13 months after it is first issued. Finally, Debian's release EOL marks the end of its LTS support, with no further updates provided beyond this point.

How much time is left on your release?

If you’re already running an Ubuntu, Fedora, or Debian system and want to know how much longer your current release will be supported, there are a few ways to find out. For Ubuntu, you can. As Fedora 40 reached its EOL on 2025-05-13, users running this version should consider upgrading to a newer release to continue receiving updates and support. And for Debian 11, users have until 2026-08-31 to upgrade to a newer release before support for this version officially ends.

Knowing the specifics of how each distribution handles support can greatly assist you in maintaining your Ubuntu, Fedora, or Debian system and ensuring it remains supported and secure.