Software Alternatives & Startups

acme.sh VS CloudLinux

Compare acme.sh VS CloudLinux and see what are their differences

acme.sh

A pure Unix shell script implementing ACME client protocol and deploying SSL certificates.

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, acme.sh seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 43 times since March 2021.

social mentions
43 vs 0
Software Development popularity
100% vs 0%

Base details

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

acme.sh
CloudLinux
Website github.com cloudlinux.com
Pricing —
Open source
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

acme.sh 6 features
CloudLinux 5 features
  • Ease of Use
    acme.sh is simple to install and use because it is written in shell script. It does not require any external dependencies, which makes it lightweight and easy to set up.
  • Wide Platform Support
    The script is compatible with multiple operating systems, including Linux, macOS, and Windows (via WSL), which makes it versatile for different environments.
  • Supports Various DNS Providers
    acme.sh supports many DNS APIs out of the box, allowing users to automate DNS challenges with their preferred provider easily.
  • Automatic Renewal
    acme.sh can automatically renew certificates and deploy them, ensuring uninterrupted HTTPS service without manual intervention.
  • Customizable and Extendable
    Because it is a simple script, users can easily customize and extend its functionality to suit their specific needs.
  • No Root Necessary
    acme.sh does not require root access for installation and operation, improving security since it can be run without elevated privileges.

Possible disadvantages

  • Limited GUI
    Since acme.sh is a command-line tool, those accustomed to graphical interfaces might find it less intuitive to manage, compared to web-based interfaces.
  • Learning Curve
    Though it is easy to use for those familiar with the command line, users new to the terminal may face a learning curve when first using acme.sh.
  • Community Support
    While there is a community that supports acme.sh, the support might not be as extensive or swift as commercial solutions, potentially leading to delays in troubleshooting.
  • Misconfiguration Risks
    Because the installation and configuration are done manually, there is a risk of errors or misconfiguration, especially for users unfamiliar with SSL/TLS certificates.
  • 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.

acme.sh
CloudLinux

No analysis of acme.sh yet.

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.

acme.sh 1 video + Add
CloudLinux 3 videos + Add

Free SSL Let's Encrypt - Acme.sh - Wordpress - Openlitespeed

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
acme.sh
CloudLinux
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

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

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Social recommendations and mentions

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

acme.sh 43 mentions
CloudLinux 0 mentions
  • Let's Encrypt has been down most of today
    Acme.sh is maintained by ZeroSSL. https://github.com/acmesh-official/acme.sh#2%EF%B8%8F%E2%83%A32%EF%B8%8F%E2%83%A3-about-this-repository. - Source: Hacker News / 5 months ago
  • SSL certificate requirements are becoming obnoxious
    Lots of ACME software supports configuring CA fallbacks, so even if a CA is down hard for an extended period you can issue certificates with the others. Using LetsEncrypt and ZeroSSL together is a popular approach. If you need a stronger... - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • I no longer have an old-school cert on my HTTPS site
    I was amazed by them having so much distrust of the various clients. Certbot is typically in the repositories for things like Debian/Ubuntu. My favourite client is probably - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago

View more

Tracking CloudLinux since Mar 2021.

Alternatives to acme.sh and CloudLinux

When comparing acme.sh and CloudLinux, you can also consider the following products.