Ubuntu on Google Cloud

With an optimised Ubuntu GCP kernel built in collaboration between Google and Canonical to deliver the very best performance on the Google Cloud hypervisor, Ubuntu is a popular Linux OS on GCP for virtual machine and container workloads.

Today, Ubuntu powers more mission-critical cloud workloads than any other operating system.

Choose the right Ubuntu for you

Select between the standard Ubuntu Server and the Pro edition, which includes expanded security, compliance and GCP integration:

Ubuntu LTS

Free to use

GCP-optimised kernel and userspace components built from the latest releases
Broad set of open source application components available for development
Security patches for the kernel and key infrastructure components
Updates mirrored and images published in all GCP regions worldwide
5-year lifetime

Launch Ubuntu Server 24.04 LTS

Ubuntu Pro for Google Cloud

3-4.5% of an average instance cost

Includes all Ubuntu optimisations and updates of the free version
Expanded security covering 28,000 additional application components delivered with Ubuntu
Kernel live patching for instant security and longer uptimes
FIPS 140-2 and CC-EAL certified components
Integration with GCP security and compliance features
10-year lifetime

Features

Optimised

Ubuntu on GCP runs on an GCP-optimised kernel, which includes improved device drivers, and out of the box support for accelerators like GPUs. This means faster instance starts and better runtime performance for your workloads.

Security built in

Our security teams track alerts 24/7 and release patches to system components and applications continuously. Canonical operates a worldwide distribution network ensuring that package updates are delivered in-region quickly. Canonical also works with Google to provide the latest Confidential Computing technology in Cloud.

All the bits you need

Ubuntu includes everything you need out of the box to build and operate cloud-native applications at scale. Supporting runtimes like Python, Node.js and Go, and server components like Apache Kafka, NGINX, MongoDB, Redis and PostgreSQL.

Get Ubuntu Pro on Google Cloud

Learn more about Ubuntu Pro ›

Optimise your cloud journey with Canonical

Canonical works with the top enterprises and innovators in the world to define and execute their cloud journeys. Migration, application redesign, support and optimisation services are some of the ways in which we have helped customers make the most of Ubuntu and GCP together.