Ubuntu Minimal LTS is optimized for automated use at scale, with a tiny package set and minimal security cross-section.

Ubuntu Minimal is designed for completely automated operations It includes a reduced package set, without convenience tools for interactive usage like editors, documentation or locales, but any Ubuntu package can be installed. Craft exactly the image you need by simply adding your required packages to the base image with ssh, apt and snapd. Alternatively, the unminimize tool lets you ‘rehydrate’ your image into a familiar Ubuntu Pro package set, suitable for command line interaction.

Ubuntu is free and will always be. If you require a minimal image that is FIPS compliant, CIS Hardened then Ubuntu Pro 20.04 LTS Minimal with CIS Hardening may interest you.

Why developers and devops choose Ubuntu Minimal for Azure

• Production ready: Ubuntu is the leading Linux in the public cloud with > 50% of Linux workloads
• Developer friendly: Ubuntu is the #1 Linux for developers offering the latest library and tools to innovate with the latest technologies
• No mandatory licenses: Ubuntu Server is freely available, with no mandatory licenses and unlimited VMs
• Non-stop security: Canonical publishes images on a daily basis, ensuring security is built-in from the moment an instance launches
• Optimized performance: optimized kernel, with improved boot speed, outstanding runtime performance and advanced device support
• Portability: Ubuntu is available in all regions with content mirrors to avoid the need to go across regions or out to the Internet for updates
• 5-year security maintenance: Ubuntu Server 20.04 LTS provides security maintenance until April 2025

For professional environments or applications where additional security and compliance would be beneficial, or where you might want to continue using the environment beyond April 2025, Canonical recommends Ubuntu Pro 20.04 LTS Minimal with CIS Hardening.