Software Alternatives & Startups

3CX VS CloudLinux

Compare 3CX VS CloudLinux and see what are their differences

3CX

Hosted PBX with CRM integration and mobile apps

Rating
0 reviews
CloudLinux

Making Linux secure, stable, and profitable for thousands of hosting providers and data centers worldwide.

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source
Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, 3CX seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 3 times since March 2021.

social mentions
3 vs 0
Communication popularity
100% vs 0%

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

3CX
CloudLinux
Website 3cx.com cloudlinux.com
Pricing
Open source
Company Startup from Cyprus · 50 - 99 employees —
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

3CX 8 features
CloudLinux 5 features
  • Cost-Effective
    3CX offers competitive pricing compared to traditional PBX systems, helping businesses save on operational costs.
  • Flexibility
    Supports multiple platforms including Windows, Linux, and cloud-based environments, allowing for versatile deployment options.
  • Ease of Use
    Provides an intuitive interface and easy-to-follow setup processes, making it accessible for users without advanced technical knowledge.
  • Unified Communication
    Combines voice, video, messaging, chat, and presence into one platform, streamlining communications within businesses.
  • Scalability
    Easily scalable to accommodate growing businesses, with the capability to add or remove extensions and features as needed.
  • Integrated Features
    Includes features such as call forwarding, voicemail to email, web conferencing, and CRM integrations to boost productivity.
  • Remote Work Support
    Offers WebRTC technology and mobile apps, enabling employees to work remotely while staying connected to the office system.
  • Security
    Implements robust security measures like SRTP encryption and a built-in firewall to protect communications.

Possible disadvantages

  • Initial Setup
    While generally user-friendly, the initial setup can be complex and may require a certain level of technical expertise.
  • Ongoing Maintenance
    Regular updates and maintenance are needed to keep the system secure and functional, which can be time-consuming.
  • Limited Customer Support
    Support options can be limited, especially for smaller businesses or those not subscribed to premium support plans.
  • Compatibility Issues
    May face compatibility challenges with certain legacy systems or specific hardware, requiring additional configuration or replacement.
  • Third-Party Dependence
    Many features and integrations depend on third-party services, which can lead to additional costs and potential reliability concerns.
  • Licensing Model
    The licensing model can be complex and may not be as straightforward as other communication solutions, potentially leading to cost overruns.
  • Learning Curve
    Users might face a learning curve when adapting to the new system, particularly if they are accustomed to traditional PBX systems.
  • Enhanced Server Stability
    CloudLinux uses its lightweight virtualization technology (LVE) to isolate each tenant on a shared hosting server, preventing any single user from consuming excessive resources and crashing the server for everyone else. This ensures consistent uptime and performance.
  • Improved Security with HardenedPHP and KernelCare
    CloudLinux offers HardenedPHP, which patches old and unsupported PHP versions against known vulnerabilities, and KernelCare, which provides live kernel patching without requiring server reboots. These features significantly enhance server security posture.
  • Resource Limit Management
    Administrators can set granular resource limits (CPU, memory, I/O, number of processes, etc.) per user account using LVE Manager. This makes it easy to manage shared hosting environments and ensure fair resource distribution among tenants.
  • CageFS File System Virtualization
    CageFS creates a virtualized file system for each user, preventing them from seeing other users on the server, viewing sensitive configuration files, or exploiting server vulnerabilities. This adds an important layer of isolation and security.
  • Wide Compatibility with Hosting Panels
    CloudLinux integrates seamlessly with popular hosting control panels such as cPanel, Plesk, and DirectAdmin, making it straightforward for hosting providers to adopt without overhauling their existing infrastructure or workflows.

Possible disadvantages

  • Additional Licensing Cost
    CloudLinux requires a paid monthly or annual license on top of the base server cost. For smaller hosting providers or individual server owners, this additional expense can add up and may not always be justifiable compared to free alternatives.
  • Limited to CentOS/RHEL-Based Systems
    CloudLinux is built on top of RHEL/CentOS and does not support other Linux distributions like Ubuntu or Debian. This limits its adoption for hosting providers who prefer or already run non-RHEL-based environments.
  • Learning Curve for Configuration
    While CloudLinux provides powerful resource management tools, properly configuring LVE limits, CageFS, PHP Selector, and other features requires a solid understanding of the platform. Misconfiguration can lead to users being unnecessarily restricted or resources being poorly allocated.
  • Potential Performance Overhead
    The additional layers of virtualization, resource monitoring, and file system isolation introduced by CloudLinux can impose a slight performance overhead on the server compared to running a bare, unmodified Linux distribution without these controls.
  • Dependency on CloudLinux Ecosystem
    Adopting CloudLinux means relying on their ecosystem for kernel updates, PHP patches, and security fixes. If the company experiences delays in releasing patches or changes its pricing/licensing model, hosting providers may find themselves locked into a dependency that is difficult to migrate away from.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

3CX
CloudLinux

Overall verdict

  • 3CX is generally considered a good option for businesses seeking a reliable and comprehensive VoIP solution. Its scalability makes it suitable for small businesses and large enterprises alike, and its focus on providing a seamless user experience has made it a popular choice in the VoIP market. However, as with any product, it's important to evaluate your specific needs to ensure it aligns with your business requirements.

Why this product is good

  • 3CX is a versatile and cost-effective communication solution known for its ease of use, robust feature set, and flexibility. It supports multiple platforms, including Windows, Linux, and cloud-based systems, which allows businesses to manage their phone systems in a way that best suits their operational needs. It offers features such as video conferencing, call center operations, live chat, and the integration of mobile apps, which enhance communication efficiency and collaboration within organizations.

Recommended for

  • Small to medium-sized businesses looking for an affordable and scalable communication solution.
  • Enterprises in need of a unified communication system that integrates with existing infrastructure.
  • Organizations seeking a platform with advanced features such as video conferencing, mobile apps, and live chat capabilities.

Overall verdict

  • CloudLinux is a well-regarded, mature Linux OS distribution and toolset specifically designed for shared hosting and multi-tenant server environments, offering strong isolation, resource management, and security features that make it a solid choice for hosting providers.

Why this product is good

  • Provides LVE (Lightweight Virtual Environment) technology for per-tenant resource isolation, preventing 'bad neighbor' effects on shared servers
  • Enhances server stability and security by isolating users so that one account's issues (crashes, resource spikes) don't affect others
  • Offers extended lifecycle support (longer than standard CentOS/RHEL support windows), which is valuable for legacy systems
  • Includes tools like CloudLinux OS Shield, Imunify360 integration, and hardened kernel options for improved security
  • Compatible with popular control panels like cPanel and Plesk, making it easy to integrate into existing hosting stacks
  • Backed by an established company with a long track record in the hosting industry and responsive support
  • Offers granular control over CPU, memory, I/O, and other resources per user account
  • Provides PHP Selector and multiple PHP version support, useful for hosting providers serving diverse client needs

Recommended for

  • Web hosting companies running shared or reseller hosting environments
  • Hosting providers needing to isolate customer accounts on the same physical server
  • Businesses requiring extended OS support lifecycles beyond standard RHEL/CentOS EOL dates
  • Enterprises using cPanel or Plesk that want tighter security and resource control
  • Hosting companies looking to reduce support tickets caused by noisy-neighbor resource contention
  • IT teams managing multi-tenant infrastructure who need governance and monitoring tools built into the OS layer

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

3CX 3 videos + Add
CloudLinux 3 videos + Add

3CX Voip Phone System-overview and review-Free Version

More videos

  • - 3CX Phone System 12 Review
  • - Overview of 3CX Phone System Version 15 Free Edition

When To Use Cloudlinux On Your Virtual Private Server (VPS)

More videos

  • - CloudLinux OS+ in a minute: Explore Features
  • - How CloudLinux Plans to Keep CentOS 6 Alive

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
3CX
CloudLinux
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using 3CX and CloudLinux. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

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Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

3CX no reviews yet
CloudLinux no reviews yet

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We have no reviews of CloudLinux yet. Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

3CX 3 mentions
CloudLinux 0 mentions
  • Facebook Messaging App Review Fails
    This Facebook App is used to integrate our 3CX Phone System (https://3cx.com) with Facebook Messenger. This app allows us to connect Facebook Messenger to our internal Chat system in our 3CX PBX Phone System so that we can seamlessly... Source: almost 3 years ago
  • 3CX Instance Not Working
    The instruction from 3cx.com is "When the Debian installer finishes, the machine is rebooted and the 3CX installation starts automatically.". Source: almost 4 years ago
  • Stuck integrating an ATA with SBC on a wee-little home network
    Disclaimer: I'm out of my element here. I've watched a few youtube videos, and followed several guides on 3cx.com to get me where I am today. Source: over 4 years ago

Tracking CloudLinux since Mar 2021.

Alternatives to 3CX and CloudLinux

When comparing 3CX and CloudLinux, you can also consider the following products.