Software Alternatives & Startups

Alarm VS CloudLinux

Compare Alarm VS CloudLinux and see what are their differences

Alarm

Connected home security platform that works with Apple Watch

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, Alarm seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 524 times since March 2021.

social mentions
524 vs 0
Productivity popularity
100% vs 0%

Base details

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

A
Alarm
CloudLinux
Website international.alarm.com cloudlinux.com
Pricing —
Open source
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

A
Alarm 4 features
CloudLinux 5 features
  • Comprehensive Security Solutions
    Alarm.com offers a wide range of security options, including intrusion detection, video monitoring, access control, and energy management, providing a holistic security system for both residential and commercial use.
  • User-friendly Mobile App
    The Alarm.com mobile app allows users to control their home security systems remotely, offering convenience and ease of access with real-time alerts and remote control functionalities.
  • Home Automation Integration
    Alarm.com integrates seamlessly with various smart home devices, allowing for automation and control of lighting, thermostats, and more, enhancing the overall home automation experience.
  • Reliable Customer Support
    Alarm.com provides reliable customer support through multiple channels, ensuring users receive assistance and troubleshooting when needed.

Possible disadvantages

  • Cost
    The services provided by Alarm.com can be expensive, especially when installation and equipment costs are taken into consideration, making it less accessible for budget-conscious consumers.
  • Dependent on Internet Connectivity
    Alarm.com's systems rely significantly on internet connectivity, which means that any interruptions in service can impact the effectiveness of the security system.
  • Complex Setup Process
    For some users, the initial setup and configuration can be complex, requiring professional installation to ensure optimal operation and integration with existing systems.
  • Subscription Model
    The ongoing subscription fees for monitoring services can be seen as a drawback for customers who prefer one-time payment solutions, limiting flexibility in cost management.
  • 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.

A
Alarm
CloudLinux

No analysis of Alarm 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.

A
Alarm 6 videos + Add
CloudLinux 3 videos + Add

Ring Alarm Review (2nd Gen)!

More videos

  • - Take A Tour Of The Alarm.com Smarthome With Madison
  • - Ring Alarm 2nd Generation Review - 2020 Keypad, Contact Sensor, Motion Detector & Range Extender
  • - Alarm.com Overview
  • - Products Supported on the Alarm.com Platform
  • - Philips Wake Up Light Review - Best Alarm Clock in the World

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
A
Alarm
CloudLinux
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using Alarm 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.

A
Alarm 524 mentions
CloudLinux 0 mentions
  • Streaming reliability on ADC-V521IR indoor camera
    I have a ADC-V521IR indoor camera and it's behaving sort of weird. The camera is going to both my alarm.com (brinks) account and a local SVR. The local SVR recordings are fine and don't have any quality/lag issues. But the live streaming... Source: about 3 years ago
  • Homebridge and Professional Monitoring
    I have an extensive homebridge setup with ring equipment mostly. I'm looking for the best way to get away from ring and onto something else like alarm.com, something self-hosted. Source: about 3 years ago
  • Is it possible to delink IQ Panel/Skybell/MyQ from "alarm.com"?
    I recently purchased a DR Horton home (resell, not new construction). I performed factory resets on all of the smart home equipment, IQ panel, skybell, garage door opener. When I begin new setup, all are still linked to the previous... Source: about 3 years ago

View more

Tracking CloudLinux since Mar 2021.

Alternatives to Alarm and CloudLinux

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