Amazon Linux supplies the operating-system packages and libraries beneath an application running on AWS or inside a container. It can suit teams that want an AWS-maintained Linux environment and its package and security-update process. The standard and minimal container images serve different needs: one includes more everyday tools, while the other offers a smaller starting point. Choose based on the application you must run, not simply the image name.
Deployment and operating notes
The recovered review is about Amazon Linux 2 and predates Amazon Linux 2023. AWS states that AL2 reached end of support on June 30, 2026. AWS also publishes an AL2023 minimal container image, so the historical statement that no minimal image exists no longer describes the current offering. Its package manager is microdnf, with fewer features than the full Python-based dnf in the standard base image.
Choose between standard and minimal AL2023 by testing the application build and runtime dependencies. A Dockerfile written around yum, package names from AL2, or assumptions about bundled utilities needs review; replacing the FROM line is not sufficient validation. Rebuild native libraries against the chosen runtime, check CA certificates and timezone requirements, and compare the final image contents. Pin the release and digest while maintaining a rebuild process for advisories. Keep a known-working application image for rollback; avoid treating an operating-system downgrade as a safe reversal of application or database changes.
Historical upstream link check · 2026-10-09
The recorded upstream address responded successfully (HTTP 200) on 2026-10-09. Link availability does not certify the historical installation instructions or current security support. This address is the first surviving external body reference; primary project identity still requires review.
Website availability is separate from project, chart and image support. Use the current guidance and primary sources on this page to assess the distribution.
Historical Kubedex content
Original publication: 2018-10-16T05:33:02+00:00. Preserved for context. Commands, versions, prices and results below reflect the original research.
Amazon Linux 2 is available on Docker Hub. It’s based on Centos 7 and has SystemD and uses the Yum package manager. Unfortunately, Amazon haven’t done anything to reduce the number of packages installed. There’s no minimal version which means you have an image that contains non essential packages and therefore a much larger surface area.
The latest Amazon Linux 2 container is 61.63mb compressed and 163mb on disk.
There are some positive trade-offs with AWS Linux. Firstly, you get OS support if you’re on AWS and have an Amazon support package. Amazon also provide a security advisory service. This service works with Amazon Image Inspector to scan for vulnerable OS packages inside your containers. I’m not sure how good the AWS security team is, or how large they are compared to the people working on Redhat, Ubuntu and Debian.
My opinion is that if Amazon provided a minimal image with much fewer base operating packages installed then this would be the winner for anyone running on AWS.
Until then we’d recommend looking at using RHEL, Ubuntu or Debian base images.
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