Ubuntu 25.04 “Plucky Puffin” has arrived, bringing the latest advancements in Linux server technology—including a new kernel, enhanced security features, and updated core packages. But how does it compare to the more stable and widely adopted Ubuntu 24.04 LTS “Noble Numbat”? In this post, we break down the key differences between these two server-focused releases, highlight the significant improvements in 25.04, and explain why many system administrators still prefer the long-term support (LTS) version for production environments.
Ubuntu Server has two main versions: Long Term Support (LTS) and interim release cycles. LTS versions are published every two years and are supported with security updates and bug fixes for at least five years, making them ideal for stable, long-term deployments in production environments. In contrast, interim releases come out every six months and are supported for only nine months. These provide early access to new features, updated packages, and hardware support, but require more frequent upgrades to stay within the support window. Choosing between LTS and interim depends on whether stability or access to the latest technology is the priority.
Ubuntu 25.04 is an interim release (non-LTS version ) and represents the cutting-edge of Ubuntu Server development. It introduces several enhancements over 24.04 LTS in terms of kernel technology, security, and software stack versions:
Linux Kernel 6.14: Ubuntu Server 25.04 ships with a newer kernel (v6.14) compared to 24.04’s 6.8. This brings expanded hardware support and performance improvements. For example, kernel 6.14 introduces the new “sched_ext” mechanism that allows custom scheduling policies via eBPF programs. In practice, developers and admins can experiment with pluggable CPU schedulers to better tune system performance for specialized workloads. The kernel also adds features like the NTSYNC driver for improved Windows app performance under Wine/Proton (primarily of interest on desktops/gaming), and various upstream improvements in memory management, filesystems, and networking. These kernel advancements can improve throughput and responsiveness on modern server hardware.
Up-to-date Core Infrastructure (systemd and Netplan): The init system has been updated to systemd v257.4 in Ubuntu 25.04 (vs. v255 in 24.04), bringing incremental improvements and bug fixes in service management. Notably, Ubuntu’s build of systemd in 25.04 drops legacy UTMP support (no longer creating /run/utmp by default) to streamline the system. Networking configuration is handled by Netplan 1.1.2 in 25.04, an update from Netplan 1.0 in 24.04. This update includes more robust behavior when waiting for network online status – it now uses systemd-networkd’s wait-online feature to ensure DNS resolvers are set before marking an interface as “online”. The result is a more reliable network bring-up, particularly useful in server boot scenarios (e.g., ensuring services don’t start before DNS is ready).
Enhanced Security Features: Security is a significant focus in 25.04, building on 24.04’s already strong security defaults. Ubuntu 25.04 introduces a “defense-in-depth” approach by shipping many new AppArmor security profiles for typical applications. These profiles confine applications and limit their capabilities, reducing the impact of potential exploits. (Ubuntu’s AppArmor was updated to version 4.0 in 24.04 LTS, but in 25.04 the included profiles have significantly expanded to cover more services.) This means better sandboxing of processes by default – though admins should be aware that in rare cases the new profiles could restrict an application unexpectedly, requiring adjustments or profile tuning. Ubuntu 25.04 also enables confidential computing features on modern hardware: it is the first Ubuntu release to support AMD SEV-SNP virtualization host capabilities, thanks to an updated QEMU 9.2 virtualization stack. With AMD SEV-SNP (Secure Encrypted Virtualization – Secure Nested Paging), virtual machines’ memory is encrypted and protected from the host, allowing cloud or VM workloads to be isolated at the hardware level. This is a boon for organizations needing to run sensitive workloads in multi-tenant environments, and it was not available by default in 24.04. (Canonical also collaborates on supporting Intel TDX in this realm.)
Cryptography and Package Management Updates: Ubuntu 25.04 refreshes its cryptographic libraries and packaging tools for improved security and efficiency. OpenSSL has been upgraded to version 3.4.1 (from the 3.0.x series in 24.04) and GnuTLS to 3.8.9, incorporating the latest security fixes and algorithm support. Another significant change is in APT (the package manager) – Ubuntu 25.04 includes APT 3.0, bringing some important improvements. First, APT’s resolver can now automatically try a new dependency solver if the classic solver fails to find a solution, potentially reducing “dependency hell” situations. Second, APT has switched its TLS and hashing backend from GnuTLS/libgcrypt to OpenSSL for downloading packages, which improves compatibility with proxies/HTTPS and reduces the minimal installed footprint. Furthermore, the antiquated apt-key utility (for adding repo signing keys) has been removed in 25.04, in favor of more secure key management via gpgv. This hardening means scripts must use the new recommended approach, but it avoids the pitfalls of the old apt-key trust model. Ubuntu 24.04 LTS had already tightened APT security by requiring repository signing keys to be 2048-bit RSA or better (dropping support for weak 1024-bit keys); Ubuntu 25.04 continues this trajectory by modernizing the entire apt infrastructure.
Secure Time Synchronization: In Ubuntu 25.04, chrony (NTP client/server) is configured by default to use NTS (Network Time Security) for time synchronization. This means out-of-the-box, the server’s time sync communications are cryptographically authenticated and secured against tampering. NTS operates by performing an initial key exchange over TCP port 4460 and then using those keys to secure NTP on port 123. In 24.04 LTS, chrony was included but did not enable NTS by default – making this a notable security improvement in 25.04. The change helps protect against malicious time servers or man-in-the-middle attacks that could falsify system time. (Admins should note that if a network blocks the NTS port, the chrony might not sync until it is reconfigured to use plain NTP, but in most cases, it’s a seamless upgrade in security.)
Updated Server Stack and Software Versions: Because interim releases aim to bring in the latest upstream software, Ubuntu Server 25.04 features newer versions of popular server applications and tools compared to 24.04 LTS. For instance:
Database Servers: Ubuntu 25.04 includes MySQL 8.4 LTS as the default MySQL version, whereas 24.04 LTS stuck with MySQL 8.0 (the previous long-term branch). MySQL 8.4 is MySQL’s first official LTS release and comes with various performance improvements, new features, and configuration changes. Notably, upstream MySQL has dropped 32-bit support for the server binary in 8.4, so Ubuntu 25.04 no longer provides a 32-bit MySQL server (while still offering 32-bit client libraries for compatibility). If your workload can benefit from MySQL 8.4’s enhancements (improved InnoDB, better JSON support, etc.), 25.04 has it by default. Similarly, PostgreSQL 17 is available in Ubuntu 25.04, introducing improvements like a new VACUUM memory management (for lower memory usage and faster vacuum operations) and new SQL/JSON features. By contrast, Ubuntu 24.04 LTS included an older PostgreSQL (e.g., version 15 or 16, since PostgreSQL 17 was only released after 24.04’s launch) – meaning 25.04 gives you immediate access to the latest PostgreSQL 17 features and performance enhancement.
Web and Application Servers: Both versions use the Apache 2.4.x series for the Apache HTTP Server, but Ubuntu 25.04’s Apache packages include all updates up to 2.4.58+ with bug and security fixes. Ubuntu 24.04 LTS will have similar fixes (backported), but interim 25.04 might include newer Apache module features (as seen with mod_md, mod_ssl tweaks in release notes). Nginx has also seen a bump – 24.04 LTS introduced Nginx 1.24 (a jump from 1.18 in the prior LTS), whereas 25.04 runs Nginx 1.26.3 with additional bug fixes and security patches. The Nginx changes in 1.26 are relatively minor (since 1.24 already brought TLS 1.3 and OpenSSL 3.0 support), but 25.04 ensures you have the latest stable Nginx branch by default.
Scripting and Runtime Languages: Ubuntu 25.04 refreshes many language runtimes. For example, it comes with PHP 8.4 (which introduces features like property accessors and improved performance), whereas Ubuntu 24.04 LTS shipped with PHP 8.3 as the default. In practice, both 8.3 and 8.4 are modern, but 8.4 in 25.04 gives developers early access to the newest PHP features. Similarly, Node.js, Ruby, and others are updated in interim releases to newer upstream versions.
Containers and Cloud: The container stack is significantly newer in 25.04. Ubuntu 25.04 includes Containerd 2.0 (a major version jump from Containerd 1.x in 24.04) stabilizes features added late in the 1.x cycle and removes deprecated APIs. The OCI runtime runc is updated to 1.2.5, bringing fixes (including a CVE patch for a potential container breakout issue)and quality-of-life improvements for cgroups v2. Moreover, the Docker engine (the docker.io package) in 25.04 corresponds to Docker 27.x, which comes with enhancements like better IPv6 networking and a new docker image ls --tree view – whereas 24.04 LTS had an older Docker version with fewer of these features (though still functional and receive security updates). Administrators using Kubernetes or other container orchestration will find 25.04’s container components aligned with the latest upstream, which can be beneficial for testing cutting-edge container features. On the cloud-init side (for cloud VM initialization), Ubuntu 25.04 includes cloud-init v25.1 (newer than 24.04’s v24.x), which brings improvements like true IPv6-only (single-stack) support for Oracle cloud, enforcement that auto-generated random passwords contain multiple character types (for security), and other cloud provider integrations. These ensure smoother experiences on various cloud platforms.
Development Tools and Performance Tuning: As a newer release, 25.04 updates compilers and tooling. It features the latest toolchain with GNU GCC 15 (snapshot), glibc 2.41, LLVM 20, Python 3.13.3 as the default Python 3 version, and Go 1.24, among others. By contrast, 24.04 LTS provided GCC 14, glibc 2.39 and Python 3.12. The newer compilers in 25.04 can produce more optimized binaries and support the latest C/C++ standards, which is helpful for developers targeting Ubuntu. Additionally, Canonical has introduced “devpacks” in 25.04 – snapshot packages of development toolchains (for example, a Snap for the latest Spring Framework, etc.) – to give developers easy access to the bleeding-edge tools without manual setup. From a performance engineering perspective, Ubuntu 24.04 had already included a set of performance analysis tools by default (and a performance-tools meta-package). Ubuntu 25.04 continues this trend, and with the updated kernel and toolchain, it may deliver incremental performance gains. Admins might notice, for instance, faster package operations due to the new APT and perhaps slightly better runtime performance from languages like Python or Java, thanks to compiler and VM improvements.
In summary, Ubuntu Server 25.04 “Plucky Puffin” is packed with fresh software: a newer kernel and systemd, strengthened security defaults (more AppArmor confinement, secure time sync, updated crypto libraries), and the very latest versions of server applications (databases, web servers, container tools). It represents the forefront of what Ubuntu offers, which can be very attractive if you need a specific new feature or want the best support for recent hardware out of the box.
While 25.04 brings new bells and whistles, Ubuntu Server 24.04 LTS remains a rock-solid choice for many environments. As an LTS release, it emphasizes stability, long-term support, and a well-tested foundation—qualities that are crucial for production servers and enterprise use.
5+ Years of Support and Maintenance: Ubuntu 24.04 is a Long Term Support release, which means it receives five years of standard security updates (until April 2029), and even longer support is available through Canonical’s extended maintenance offerings (up to 10 years with Ubuntu Pro and an extra 2 years with Legacy support, extending coverage to 2036). In contrast, interim releases like 25.04 are only supported for 9 months. The extended support timeline of 24.04 LTS is a huge advantage for organizations that value consistency – you can deploy 24.04 now and know that it will get security patches and critical bug fixes for many years without needing a major upgrade. This stability is one reason why an estimated 95% of all Ubuntu installations run LTS releases. Businesses often standardize on LTS versions to avoid the churn of frequent upgrades.
Proven Stability and Reliability: By the time of writing (over a year since its release), Ubuntu 24.04 LTS has gone through point releases (e.g. 24.04.1, 24.04.2) and numerous updates that have fixed early bugs. Any teething issues present at launch have been ironed out through Ubuntu’s Stable Release Updates process. While not the absolute newest, the software versions in 24.04 LTS are well-tested and reliable. For example, the kernel 6.8 in 24.04 was a new kernel at release but has since received minor updates and patches in the LTS, and will continue to get security/backport updates without changing the kernel ABI – ensuring stability for drivers and kernel modules. Key server components in 24.04 (like Apache, Nginx, MySQL 8.0, etc.) will also receive security patches backported from newer versions, but won’t change their major version. This means you won’t get surprise behavior changes or compatibility issues in your stack. Interim 25.04 might have newer versions with new features, but those also carry a higher risk of unforeseen bugs or changes. With 24.04 LTS, by design nothing drastic changes throughout its support lifecycle, aside from optional Hardware Enablement updates (more on that below). This stability is often more valuable in critical production environments than the latest features.
Suitable for Production and Enterprise Workloads: Ubuntu 24.04 LTS is labeled “enterprise grade” for good reason – it’s the recommended release for production servers where uptime and predictability are paramount. Upgrading a data center full of servers every 9 months (which would be required if one ran interim releases continuously) is impractical; instead, one can run 24.04 LTS and get a consistent platform for 5 years. LTS releases undergo additional quality assurance and also have broader ecosystem support. Many third-party enterprise software vendors certify their applications on Ubuntu LTS releases. If you use software or appliances from vendors, they will likely support Ubuntu 24.04 LTS but may not officially support every interim release. In summary, 24.04 LTS offers a stable target for both in-house and third-party software, making it ideal for production Docker hosts, databases, web servers, and more.
Recent Features Backported from Interims: Although LTS focuses on stability, it doesn’t mean running 24.04 leaves you with “old” software throughout its life. Canonical provides Hardware Enablement (HWE) updates as part of point releases for LTS. For instance, Ubuntu 24.04.2 LTS (the second point release) offers an option to use a newer kernel and drivers borrowed from Ubuntu 24.10, and later point releases may bring in pieces from 25.04, etc. This way, if you need improved hardware support (say, for a new CPU or NIC that wasn’t well-supported by kernel 6.8), you can opt into the HWE stack on 24.04 LTS and effectively run a newer kernel (while still staying on the LTS userland and package set). This is a best-of-both-worlds approach for those who need some of the latest technology but want to remain on LTS. Additionally, critical features are sometimes backported. For example, some security enhancements introduced in 25.04 might be retrofitted to 24.04 if feasible. (24.04 LTS already had strong security defaults: it was the release that enforced disabling of legacy TLS 1.0/1.1 for GnuTLS-based apps, required stronger APT repo keys, and introduced AppArmor restrictions on unprivileged user namespaces as an opt-in, which later became default in 25.04. These show that 24.04 was quite forward-looking in security, and over its life, it has continued to get security refinements.) Another example: OpenSSH in 24.04 was built with reduced dependencies (not linking against libsystemd) to minimize attack surface– a change that carries into newer releases.
Maturity of Software Ecosystem: Because Ubuntu 24.04 LTS has been around longer, more community knowledge and tutorials exist specific to it. Configurations and quirks are well-documented on forums and blogs. Automation tools like Ansible, Terraform modules, and CI/CD pipelines are often built around the latest LTS. If you encounter an issue on 24.04, someone else likely has and a solution or workaround exists. By contrast, on 25.04 you might be one of the first to hit a new bug (for example, at release time, there was a known incompatibility with Python 3.13 and the OpenStack Nova compute service that needed an update). LTS users benefit from thousands of other users and Canonical engineers vetting the release thoroughly.
In short, Ubuntu 24.04 LTS’s strengths lie in its dependability. It delivers a very current Linux server experience (remember, it too has a modern kernel, system 255, the latest AppArmor 4.0, etc.) but within a framework that changes slowly and predictably. This makes it perfect for long-running services, large deployments, and any scenario where you want to “set it and forget it” with only security patches to apply rather than frequent version jumps.
To better understand the context of 24.04 LTS and 25.04, let’s clarify Ubuntu’s release and support cadence:
Version Numbering: Ubuntu releases are numbered by year and month (YY.MM). For example, 24.04 was released in April 2024, and 25.04 in April 2025. Each release also has a codename (like “Noble Numbat” for 24.04 and “Plucky Puffin” for 25.04), but the version number tells you the date.
LTS Releases: Ubuntu designates one release every two years (the April release of even-numbered years) as an LTS (Long Term Support) release. These are the “enterprise grade” releases intended for mass adoption. Ubuntu 24.04 is an LTS release, as were 22.04, 20.04, etc. LTS releases receive 5 years of standard support for the core system (Canonical-maintained “main” repository packages). During this period, they get security updates, bug fixes, and hardware enablement updates. Beyond 5 years, Canonical offers Extended Security Maintenance (ESM) to extend support to 10 years on packages (available via Ubuntu Pro). And as noted, there’s an option for even 2 more years of Legacy support. This means an LTS like 24.04 can be kept secure and running until 2034 or 2036 with the right subscriptions. However, when convenient, most users would upgrade to a newer LTS (e.g., 26.04 or 28.04) somewhere in that window.
Interim Releases: In the 18-24 months between LTS releases, Canonical publishes interim releases every six months (typically every April and October). These have version numbers like 24.10 (October 2024), 25.04, 25.10, etc. Ubuntu 25.04 is one such interim release. Each interim release is a full, production-quality Ubuntu release (not a beta or rolling version), but it comes with a short support window of 9 months. The idea is that users of interim releases are expected to upgrade regularly – essentially hopping from interim to interim – to stay on a supported version. For example, someone on 25.04 must upgrade to 25.10 in October 2025 or to the next LTS 26.04 in 2026. Interim releases serve as feature previews and testing grounds for the next LTS. They introduce new technologies early so that they have matured by the time the next LTS arrives. It’s important to note that interim releases are still stable – each goes through Canonical’s QA – but they are less conservative. They may include bigger changes that an LTS would defer. If you use them, you get to enjoy new features sooner, at the cost of more frequent upgrades.
Release Upgrades: Ubuntu supports direct upgrades from one release to the next in sequence (or from one LTS to the next LTS, skipping interims). A user on 24.04 LTS can stay on it until 26.04 LTS comes out and then upgrade directly. If a user chose to run 25.04, they would have to upgrade again by January 2026 (its EOL) – either to 25.10 or directly to 26.04 once available. This upgrade cycle consideration is crucial for server admins: frequent upgrades introduce risk and downtime, so one should plan accordingly if using interim releases.
When to choose interim vs LTS: LTS is generally preferred for most production deployments due to its longevity and ecosystem support. Interim releases are often used by: enthusiasts or developers who want the newest software; testers who wish to provide feedback on upcoming features; or cases where a specific hardware device or software that only the interim supports is required (e.g., a brand-new server CPU or storage controller that isn’t supported by the older LTS kernel, or a need for a new version of an app that’s only in the interim repo). Some organizations might run interim releases in non-critical environments to evaluate new features (for example, testing Ubuntu 25.04’s new kernel and container stack in a staging environment to anticipate changes, while production stays on 24.04 LTS). It’s worth noting that even though interims are short-lived, upgrading Ubuntu is usually a straightforward process. Still, from a risk management perspective, LTS offers a set-and-stabilize approach, whereas interim requires a continuous update strategy.
For a concrete perspective: Ubuntu Server 24.04 LTS (Noble Numbat) released April 2024 will be supported until April 2029 (standard) and up to 2034/2036 with extended support. Ubuntu Server 25.04 (Plucky Puffin) released April 2025 is an interim release supported until January 2026. By design, 25.04’s role is to incorporate the latest open-source components (Linux 6.14, etc.) and pave the way for Ubuntu 26.04 LTS. So one can think of 25.04 as a stepping stone – it’s great now, but it’s not meant to live as long. Knowing this, you can align your adoption strategy with Ubuntu’s cadence.
The following table summarizes some of the key technical differences between Ubuntu Server 24.04 LTS and Ubuntu Server 25.04:
| Aspect | Ubuntu Server 24.04 LTS (Noble Numbat) | Ubuntu Server 25.04 (Plucky Puffin) |
|---|---|---|
| Release Type | Long Term Support (LTS) release (every 2 years) | Interim release (regular 6-month cadence) |
| Release Date | April 2024 | April 2025 |
| Support Timeline | 5 years standard support (until Apr 2029), extendable to 10 years (2034) with Ubuntu Pro and 12 years with Legacy. | 9 months of support (until Jan 2026). Meant to be upgraded to the next release. |
| Kernel Version | Linux 6.8 (GA kernel) | Linux 6.14– newer kernel with expanded hardware support and features (e.g. eBPF schedulers). |
| Systemd Version | systemd 255 | systemd 257.4 – updated init with minor improvements (dropped UTMP, etc.). |
| Network Stack | Netplan 1.0; ifupdown2 and systemd-networkd available. | Netplan 1.1.2 – improved DNS wait online; NetworkManager updated with WPA3 enhancements. |
| Default Python | Python 3.12 as default Python 3 interpreter. | Python 3.13.3 as default (newer Python with latest stdlib). |
| GCC / Toolchain | GCC 14, glibc 2.39, LLVM 18(modern but stable). | GCC 15 (snapshot), glibc 2.41, LLVM 20– cutting-edge compilers for C/C++/Rust/Go. |
| OpenSSL Version | OpenSSL 3.0.x (with TLS 1.0/1.1 already disabled for OpenSSL apps). | OpenSSL 3.4.1 (latest with new ciphers and optimizations). Also, apt now uses OpenSSL for downloads. |
| Security Enhancements | AppArmor 4.0 with user-namespaces restriction available but not enforcing all apps; legacy weak TLS disabled; packages built with enhanced hardening (FORTIFY_SOURCE=3, branch-protection on ARM). | More AppArmor profiles enabled by default for many apps (stricter sandboxing); AMD SEV-SNP support for VM isolation; chrony NTS time sync by default; apt-key removed (gpgv for repo keys). |
| Major Server Software | MySQL 8.0 (with updates) as default MySQL, PostgreSQL 15/16, PHP 8.3, Apache 2.4.57, Nginx 1.24, Docker 20.x, containerd 1.x, etc. These versions are stable and receive security patches in LTS. | MySQL 8.4 (new LTS branch of MySQL, improved performance), PostgreSQL 17, PHP 8.4, Apache 2.4.58+, Nginx 1.26.3, Docker 27.5 (with latest features), containerd 2.0, etc. – offering the latest functionalities out-of-the-box. |
| Notable New Features | New installer (Subiquity) improvements, TPM-backed full-disk encryption option (introduced in 24.04 for enhanced physical security), cloud-init 24.x, initial AppArmor userns protection (opt-in). | Experimental Dracut support for initramfs (previewing a switch in future releases), refined installer with BitLocker detection, cloud-init 25.x (better IPv6 support, etc.), advanced identity integration (Authd supporting Azure AD (Entra ID) and Google IAM), devpacks for developer tools. |
| Target Use-case | Ideal for long-term deployments, production servers, enterprises needing stability and support guarantees. Minimize changes over time – focus on security updates. | Ideal for testing new features, developers needing the latest stacks, or specific use-cases that benefit from new tech (e.g., need kernel 6.14 or MySQL 8.4 now). Suitable for short-lived projects or stepping-stone to next LTS; requires upgrade planning. |
(Table: Comparing Ubuntu Server 24.04 LTS vs 25.04 in key areas.)
As the table illustrates, Ubuntu 25.04 brings a newer kernel and software stack, but Ubuntu 24.04 LTS offers a longer support lifespan and a proven platform. The right choice depends on your priorities.
Which Ubuntu Server release should you choose? The answer comes down to balancing the need for stability vs. access to the latest features:
Choose Ubuntu 24.04 LTS for production and long-term deployments. If you run servers in enterprise or critical environments, the LTS is the safest bet. Its five-year support window, patch maturity, and widespread adoption mean you’ll have fewer surprises. You can deploy 24.04 LTS and be confident it will receive updates and support well into the future. This is ideal for infrastructure like databases, internal services, cloud instances, and containers you want to run reliably without frequent reconfiguration. Ubuntu 24.04 LTS is still a modern OS – you get many improvements from the last couple of years (like a newer kernel than 22.04 had, updated toolchains, etc.), but wrapped in a stable package.
Consider Ubuntu 25.04 in scenarios where you need something specific that 24.04 LTS doesn’t provide yet, or if you want to test-drive upcoming technologies. For example, you might opt for 25.04 on a machine if you immediately require PostgreSQL 17’s features for a new project or if you’re working with hardware only appropriately supported in Linux 6.14. Another use case is development environments: a developer or DevOps engineer might run 25.04 on a test server or VM to experiment with the new eBPF scheduler or to containerize an app with the latest Docker features, knowing that they’ll later deploy to 26.04 LTS once it’s out. Ubuntu 25.04 can also shine in lab setups, CI pipelines, or short-lived clusters where you plan to upgrade regularly or tear them down before the 9-month support ends.
If you choose an interim release like 25.04, plan your upgrade path. You should be prepared to upgrade to 25.10 or 26.04 within 9 months. Upgrading Ubuntu is straightforward via do-release-upgrade, but it’s something to schedule and test (primarily for servers). Some users use interim releases as a stop-gap: for instance, if Ubuntu 24.04 LTS doesn’t support a critical piece of hardware, they might use 24.10 or 25.04, then transition to the next LTS once available. This is a valid strategy, but it requires proactive maintenance.
Remember that many enhancements in 25.04 will eventually make their way into the next LTS (Ubuntu 26.04). If you’re eyeing features like Dracut or SEV-SNP or updated packages, but don’t urgently need them, you may wait until 2026 and jump from 24.04 LTS to 26.04 LTS. The interim releases are essentially proving grounds for these features. By the time they land in an LTS, they’ll have been tested by early adopters. For example, 25.04’s experiment with Dracut will likely result in a polished initramfs experience in 25.10 and then 26.04. So, a conservative approach is to let the interim-cycle users shake out the bugs, and you benefit later.
Mix and match when necessary: It’s not uncommon in real IT environments to use a combination – e.g., run your core services on LTS, but have a couple of interim-release servers for specific tasks. Ubuntu’s consistency makes this manageable, but you should still align on one or the other, where possible, to reduce complexity.
In conclusion, Ubuntu Server 24.04 LTS vs 25.04 is a choice between time-tested stability and cutting-edge capability. Ubuntu 24.04 LTS provides an excellent, supportable foundation for nearly any server workload, with the reassurance of years of support and a large user base. Ubuntu 25.04 offers exciting new features and improvements that can deliver benefits today – especially in security (e.g., hardened defaults, new crypto) and performance (new kernel optimizations, updated databases) – but it comes with the trade-off of a shorter lifecycle.
For most system administrators and DevOps teams managing production systems, Ubuntu 24.04 LTS will be the highly recommended option. On the other hand, if you’re a forward-looking adopter or have a compelling need for what 25.04 introduces, you can certainly run Ubuntu 25.04 (it’s a robust release in its own right) – just be ready to upgrade and keep pace with Ubuntu’s rapid release rhythm. By understanding the differences outlined above, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your project’s goals and timeline.