Find Ubuntu Version Before Choosing the Right VPS

Find Out the Version of Ubuntu Before Selecting the Right VPS for Best Performance

There is more to choosing the right VPS than CPU, RAM, storage, and bandwidth. The operating system version is one of the most overlooked but essential factors. If you plan to host a website, deploy applications, run databases, or manage cloud services, knowing how to find Ubuntu version can save you from software compatibility issues, security risks, and unnecessary downtime. Learning to find Ubuntu version before setting up your server ensures that your applications and software run smoothly on a compatible operating system.

Many users install applications without verifying that their Ubuntu version supports the required packages. Others purchase a VPS only to discover that the server is running an outdated Ubuntu release. These mistakes can lead to failed installations, unsupported software, security vulnerabilities, and additional maintenance. Taking a few moments to find Ubuntu version before deployment helps you avoid these problems and keeps your server reliable.

This guide explains everything you need to know about Ubuntu versions, why they matter, and how to find Ubuntu version and check Ubuntu versions before choosing the right VPS. You will also learn how to know the version of Ubuntu using different methods and understand why selecting the correct Ubuntu version is essential for long-term server performance, stability, and security.

What’s an Ubuntu Version?

Ubuntu is one of the most popular Linux distributions for VPS hosting, cloud computing, web hosting and enterprise servers. It is developed by Canonical and is famous for its stability, security and large software support.

Ubuntu releases new versions every six months, and Long-Term Support (LTS) versions are released every two years. LTS versions get security patches, bug fixes and maintenance updates for a number of years.They are the best option for production servers .

Included in each Ubuntu release:

• Updated Linux kernel 
• Enhanced security features
• New software packages 
• Improved hardware support
• Performance improvements 
• Bug fixes

Why You Should Check the Ubuntu Version Before Selecting a VPS

A lot of apps and services are built specifically to work with specific versions of Ubuntu. Installing software on an unsupported release may lead to dependency errors, compatibility issues, and restricted functionality.

Knowing the Ubuntu version helps you:

• Verify software compatibility
• Get long-term security updates
• Get new software repositories
• Enhance server stability
• Minimise maintenance issues
• Don’t let the installation fail
• Plan future upgrades easily.

Method 1: Using the lsb_release Command

This is the most suggested way.

Open terminal and run:

lsb_release -a 

Command shows:

• Distributor ID
• Ubuntu description 
• Release number
• Code-name

Method 2: Look into the OS Release File

Ubuntu has a system file that stores information about the operating system .

Run: 

cat /etc/lsb-release

This command shows:

• Ubuntu name 
• Version number 
• Version ID 
• Details of support

Method 3: Use hostnamectl 

Then execute the command:

hostnamectl 

Set-hostname

This provides information such as:

• OS
• Hostname 
• Kernel version 
• Architecture

Method 4: Verify the Issue File

You can also execute:

cat /etc/issue

This will show the Ubuntu version in a simple way.

It tells you less, but it can still be handy if you just want to know which release is installed.

Method 5: Check Ubuntu Version from the Desktop

If you are using Ubuntu Desktop and not a VPS:

• Open Settings 
• Click About 
• See what version of Ubuntu is installed
• Check system information

Step 1.

Connect to your VPS using SSH

ssh user@server-ip

Step 2.

Run one of the following commands:

cat /etc/lsb-release or

cat /etc/os-release 

Ubuntu Long Term Support (LTS)

We recommend LTS releases for:

• Websites for Companies
• production machines
• VPS hosting
• Business applications
• Databases 
• Hosting for Websites

Benefits include:

• Security updates ( long term )
• Improved stability
• Consistent performance
• Extensive software support
• Less Maintenance

Non-LTS Ubuntu

Non-LTS releases are good for:

• Testing software
• Development environments 
• Learning Linux
• Test driving the new features

Benefits:

• Newest packages
• New kernel Linux.
• Recent technology.

But, they are supported for a much shorter time than LTS versions.

Why the Ubuntu Edition is Important for VPS Hosting

Your whole hosting experience will depend on the choice of the right Ubuntu version.

Different Ubuntu releases ship with different software repositories and different versions of packages. Modern web applications often need the latest PHP, Python, Node.js, Docker, MySQL, PostgreSQL or Kubernetes.

If you use an older version of Ubuntu you could see:

• Packages missing
• Not supported software
• Vulnerabilities
• Incompatibility problems
• Performance Constraints

Improved Software Compatibility

Applications often list minimum operating system requirements. Make sure you have the latest version of Ubuntu for a hassle free installation process.

Improved Security 

Regular security patches are provided for supported versions of Ubuntu to help protect your server from vulnerabilities and cyber-attacks.

Increased Stability

Regular, stable OS releases help with preventing unexpected crashes and compatibility issues.

Simpler Troubleshooting

Most Linux documentation and tutorials refer to supported versions of Ubuntu. Knowing what version you have makes troubleshooting a lot easier.

Improved Upgrade Planning

Knowing which version of Ubuntu you have allows you to plan to upgrade the operating system before support ends.

More Performance

Newer Ubuntu releases have performance improvements that help optimize server resources with updated kernels.

How to Choose the Best Ubuntu VPS Tips

Here are some best practices to consider when choosing a VPS:

• Whenever possible choose Ubuntu LTS.
• Check application compatibility prior to deployment.
• Choose a VPS provider that provides the latest Ubuntu releases.
• Check for complete root access.
• Keep the operating system up to date regularly.
• Select scalable CPU and RAM resources.
• Get NVMe SSD storage for better speed.
• Check backup and recovery options.
• Check network uptime promises.
• Choose a provider with good technical support.

Avoiding these mistakes improves security, stability and long term server performance.

Top Ubuntu Versions for VPS Hosting

There are a number of Ubuntu releases available but generally LTS versions are recommended as they offer the best balance of stability, performance and security.

Popular LTS versions are:

• Ubuntu 20.04 LTS 
• Ubuntu 22.04 LTS 
• Ubuntu 24.04 LTS

1. How do I find out the Ubuntu version?

Run to find out what Ubuntu version you have:

lsb_release -a Or else

cat /etc/os-release 

Both commands will show the installed release of Ubuntu.

2. How to check Ubuntu version on VPS?

SSH into your VPS and run:

lsb_release -a 

This command shows the Ubuntu version, release number and codename.

3. How to find the Ubuntu version without using Terminal?

You can find the installed Ubuntu version on Ubuntu Desktop through Settings → About.

4. Which is the Best Ubuntu Version for VPS Hosting?

Best choice are Ubuntu LTS releases . These are supported by long term security updates , have better stability and support a wide range of applications .

5. Is it possible to upgrade my Ubuntu VPS later?

Yes, Ubuntu users can upgrade to newer releases. However, it is recommended that you back up your data and check application compatibility before doing a major version upgrade.

Conclusions

Choosing the right version of Ubuntu is as important as choosing the right VPS hardware. Learning how to find the Ubuntu version, how to check the Ubuntu version and how to know the version of Ubuntu helps you to avoid compatibility issues, improve security and ensure your applications run smoothly.

Before you purchase or launch a VPS, make sure to check the version of the operating system. If you can, try to choose a supported Ubuntu LTS release, and check that it will work with the software you need. A couple of minutes spent to check the Ubuntu version can save a lot of time, reduce maintenance and offer a more secure and reliable hosting environment.

Ready to Deploy a High-Performance Ubuntu VPS? 

Looking for a VPS with latest Ubuntu LTS versions, powerful hardware, fast NVMe SSD storage, full root access and reliable 24/7 support? So, choose a reliable Ubuntu VPS hosting provider today and kick off your websites, applications and business workloads with confidence. Get started today with secure, scalable and high performance VPS hosting designed for the modern day.