CentOS and Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) are two closely related operating systems. CentOS is a community-driven, free and open-source Linux distribution that is built from the same source code as RHEL, but without the branding and licensed components.
RHEL is a commercial Linux distribution that is designed for enterprise environments and is backed by Red Hat, a major player in the enterprise Linux market. RHEL comes with support and maintenance, as well as access to certified software packages and hardware.
CentOS and RHEL share a lot in common, including the same package management system (RPM), the same default desktop environment (GNOME), and the same system administration tools. CentOS is often used as a free alternative to RHEL, especially in environments where commercial support is not required or desired.
Both CentOS and RHEL are known for their stability, security, and long-term support, which makes them popular choices for servers and other mission-critical systems.