CentOS Linux and CentOS Stream: What’s the difference?

CentOS Linux and CentOS Stream are both free and open-source platforms that originate from the same source code as Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), but they serve different purposes and use cases. CentOS Linux, now in its end of life, was an exact downstream clone of RHEL, providing a stable and production-ready platform. In contrast, CentOS Stream serves as the upstream (development) branch of RHEL, intended to provide a preview of future RHEL features. This shift from CentOS Linux to CentOS Stream marks a significant change in the CentOS project and has significant implications for users.

Source: FOSS Linux