---
title: "Ubuntu Core\n    | Ubuntu"
description: Ubuntu Core is a secure, immutable Linux distribution for IoT and embedded
  devices with over-the-air updates.
url: https://ubuntu.com/core?format=md
keywords: index, follow
---

# Ubuntu Core

The immutable embedded
Linux OS

Ubuntu Core is a minimal, secure, and strictly confined operating system
powering devices around the world. Build your Ubuntu Core image today.

---

[Try Ubuntu Core](https://ubuntu.com/core/docs/getting-started)
[Read the Ubuntu Core datasheet](https://assets.ubuntu.com/v1/76f8247d-digital_ubuntu_core_datasheet.pdf)

---

## An OS with all the infrastructure

Ubuntu Core is more than just your embedded Linux OS, it's your whole
deployment infrastructure. Build targeted production-ready images, unlock
over-the-air (OTA) updates, deploy in air-gapped environments, manage your
fleet of devices, achieve real-time operations, comply with cybersecurity
requirements and more.

Ubuntu Core will transform the way you deploy devices with the longest support
window in the industry: up to 15 years.

[Discover the full feature list ›](https://ubuntu.com/core/features)

---

Continuous security

Imagine a world where every device is trustworthy. We created every aspect of Ubuntu Core to deliver the most securely designed embedded Linux ever, with an up to 15 year LTS commitment.

[Learn more about Ubuntu Core security ›](https://assets.ubuntu.com/v1/2566b90c-ubuntu_core_security_whitepaper_2.pdf)

---

Device management

Enjoy reliable, remotely accessible, and recoverable devices which are always up-to-date with mission-critical OTA updates. In connected or air-gapped environments.

[Learn more about fleet management ›](https://ubuntu.com/internet-of-things/management)

---

Agile containerization

Ubuntu Core is immutable and strictly confined. There is a clean separation between the kernel, OS image, and applications, each updated independently and protected against corruption.

[Learn more about confinement ›](https://documentation.ubuntu.com/core/explanation/security-and-sandboxing)

---

A strong hardware ecosystem

We enable Ubuntu Core with the best ODMs and silicon vendors in the world. We continuously test it on leading IoT and edge devices and hardware.

[Browse all certified hardware ›](https://ubuntu.com/certified)

---

## From development to deployment

Use the same kernel, the same libraries, and the same system software
for a smooth transition from development to production. Once you have
created your application in Ubuntu Desktop or Server, build your
immutable Ubuntu Core image based on your developed applications and
targeted hardware.

---

* Overview
* Ubuntu
* Snapcraft
* Snap Store
* Ubuntu Core
* Ubuntu Pro

Overview
Ubuntu
Snapcraft
Snap Store
Ubuntu Core
Ubuntu Pro

Deploying a device?

Ubuntu is your development environment. Ubuntu Core is your deployment OS.
Whatever language or tech stack you choose – C++, Rust, Python, or beyond
– you can package and deploy your application seamlessly on Ubuntu Core.

For more than 20 years, Ubuntu has provided the best development
environment. Every aspect of the development process benefits from
Ubuntu's responsiveness, ease of use, regular software updates, and a high
degree of security.

Snapcraft is the command-line tool for packaging your software as a snap.
Snaps are containerized packages designed for deploying embedded
applications, with increased performance compared to
[other technologies](https://ubuntu.com/engage/docker-containers-for-IoT-whitepaper).
Ubuntu Core architecture is built on snaps and each element benefits from
its tooling.

Canonical's Snap Store powers developers to host and manage software
updates for their devices. It provides a trusted update infrastructure,
including reliable OTA updates, delta updates, and more. Organisations can
also create private marketplaces, with advanced software management for
fleets of devices.

The right OS for your devices. Ubuntu Core is a strictly confined and
immutable embedded Linux OS. Build your Ubuntu Core image for your
application and targeted hardware, and enjoy a fully managed and securely
designed production image.

Ubuntu Pro subscription delivers certified compliance (FIPS, DISA STIG),
Ubuntu Universe security maintenance, zero-touch management with
Landscape, and Livepatch kernel updates for Ubuntu Core devices. Included
for Core customers and free for personal use.

---

[Get started with Ubuntu Core ›](https://ubuntu.com/core/docs)

---

## For smart use cases. Get Core. Get snaps. Get going.

[---

Automotive](https://canonical.com/solutions/automotive)

[---

Industrial](https://canonical.com/solutions/industrial)

[---

Robotics](https://ubuntu.com/robotics)

[---

Signage](https://ubuntu.com/internet-of-things/smart-displays)

[---

Smart cities](https://ubuntu.com/internet-of-things/smart-city)

---

## Ubuntu core customer stories

[All the success stories ›](https://ubuntu.com/core/stories)

---

Industrial

Edge AI

Medical devices

Cloud

### Bosch Rexroth reinvents automation

Bosch adopts Ubuntu Core and snaps for app-based ctrl-X industry
4.0 platform.

---

[Read the press release ›](https://ubuntu.com/blog/bosch-rexroth-adopts-ubuntu-core-and-snaps-for-app-based-ctrlx-automation-platform)

### Elementary scales AI machine vision

Elementary chooses Ubuntu Core to replace its server-based setup
and reduce provisioning time by 98%.

---

[Read the case study ›](https://canonical.com/case-study/elementary-ai-machine-vision)

### BeWell delivers smarter medical devices

Ubuntu Core enables BeWell to deliver a GDPR-compliant,
CE-marked self-service health kiosk.

---

[Read the case study ›](https://ubuntu.com/engage/bewell-ubuntu-core-case-study)

### IBM Cloud provides highly isolated and performant bare metal servers

IBM Cloud's bare metal servers offer highly isolated and
high-performing tenant-cloud isolation through the use of Ubuntu
Core.

---

[Read the press release ›](https://canonical.com/blog/cloud-isolation-ibm-bare-metal-ubuntu-core)

---

## Get to market fast with our hardware ecosystem

[---

View ADLink Ubuntu certified hardware ›](https://ubuntu.com/certified?q=adlink&limit=20)

[---

View ADVANTECH Ubuntu certified hardware ›](https://ubuntu.com/certified?q=advantech)

[---

Install Ubuntu on AMD ›](https://ubuntu.com/download/amd)

[---

Learn more about Ubuntu for ARM ›](https://ubuntu.com/download/server/arm)

[---

Download Ubuntu for Intel IoT platforms ›](https://ubuntu.com/download/iot/intel-iot)

[---

Install Ubuntu on MediaTek Genio ›](https://ubuntu.com/download/mediatek-genio)

[---

Install Ubuntu on NVIDIA Jetson ›](https://ubuntu.com/download/nvidia-jetson)

[---

Install Ubuntu on Qualcomm IoT Platforms ›](https://ubuntu.com/download/qualcomm-iot)

[---

Install Ubuntu on Renesas IoT Platforms ›](https://ubuntu.com/download/renesas-iot)

[Browse all certified hardware](https://ubuntu.com/certified)
[Contact us](https://ubuntu.com/core/contact-us)

---

## Learn more about Ubuntu Core

* ### Docs

  [Start your Core journey today](https://ubuntu.com/core/docs/getting-started)

---

* ### Features

  [Discover everything that Core offers you](https://ubuntu.com/core/features)

---

* ### Whitepapers

  [Cyber Resilience Act: Yocto or Ubuntu Core for embedded devices?](https://ubuntu.com/engage/cra-yocto-core)

  ---

  [Maximize the security of your Ubuntu devices](https://ubuntu.com/engage/securing-ubuntu-devices)

---

* ### Video

  [Introduction to Ubuntu Core](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zf9bapbzb8o)

---

## Ready to innovate?

Whether you are a startup bringing your concept to market or already
have large fleets of devices deployed in the field, we have the
expertise and infrastructure to launch and support you.

[Get in touch](https://ubuntu.com/core/contact-us)
