Software Alternatives & Startups

Arq VS CloudLinux

Compare Arq VS CloudLinux and see what are their differences

Arq

Arq is super-easy online backup

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source
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, Arq seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 15 times since March 2021.

social mentions
15 vs 0
Cloud Storage popularity
100% vs 0%

Base details

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

Arq
CloudLinux
Website arqbackup.com cloudlinux.com
Pricing
Open source Official pricing
Open source
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Arq 8 features
CloudLinux 5 features
  • Encryption
    Arq offers strong encryption, ensuring that your data is secure both in transit and at rest.
  • Flexibility
    Supports multiple cloud storage providers, including Amazon S3, Google Drive, Dropbox, and others, allowing users to choose their preferred storage solution.
  • Versioning
    Keeps multiple versions of files, allowing users to restore previous versions of their documents if necessary.
  • Compression
    Offers data compression features to save storage space and reduce backup times.
  • Cross-Platform
    Available for both Mac and Windows, making it accessible for a wide range of users.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The interface is intuitive and easy to navigate, making it suitable for both novice and experienced users.
  • Incremental Backups
    Performs incremental backups, which only upload changes made since the last backup, thereby saving time and bandwidth.
  • Continuous Backups
    Can be configured to run backups continuously, ensuring that data is always up-to-date.

Possible disadvantages

  • Cost
    While the software itself is not free, especially when compared to other freemium solutions, it requires a one-time purchase.
  • Initial Setup Complexity
    The initial setup can be complicated for users who are not tech-savvy, especially when configuring cloud storage integrations.
  • No Native Mobile Apps
    Arq does not have native mobile apps, limiting access to only desktop operating systems like Windows and macOS.
  • Dependence on External Cloud Services
    Relies on third-party cloud services, meaning that any issues or downtimes with those services can affect backup reliability.
  • Limited Support
    The customer support options are somewhat limited when compared to larger backup service providers, potentially leading to longer resolution times for issues.
  • Resource Intensive
    Can be resource-intensive, consuming considerable CPU and memory during backup operations, which may affect system performance on older machines.
  • 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.

Arq
CloudLinux

Overall verdict

  • Overall, Arq is considered a good choice for individuals and businesses looking for a customizable backup solution with strong security features and the flexibility to choose their own storage providers.

Why this product is good

  • Arq is often praised for its simplicity, security, and flexibility when it comes to backing up personal and business data. It allows you to use your own cloud storage accounts such as AWS, Google Cloud Storage, and Backblaze B2, which can be more cost-effective and provide better control over your data. The software provides strong encryption, ensuring that your files are securely backed up. Additionally, Arq offers features like versioning, automatic backups, and efficient incremental backups that make it a reliable choice for many users.

Recommended for

    Arq is recommended for users who are comfortable managing their own cloud storage accounts and are looking for a secure, reliable backup solution that integrates well with various cloud services. It is suitable for both individuals and small to medium-sized businesses that require flexibility and data control.

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.

Arq 3 videos + Add
CloudLinux 3 videos + Add

Movie Review - Netflix's ARQ

More videos

  • - ARQ Time Travel Film Review
  • - Arq review: Dystopian Groundhog Day

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
Arq
CloudLinux
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using Arq 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.

Arq 15 mentions
CloudLinux 0 mentions
  • Ask HN: What macOS apps/programs do you use daily and recommend?
    * Homebrew - Package manager (kinda like apt/rpm on Linux). * Secretive - Stores SSH keys in the secure enclave [https://github.com/maxgoedjen/secretive] * Hazel - File automations [https://www.noodlesoft.com/] * Arq - Excellent backup... - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
  • Cryptomator Volume can't be accessed by Arq Backup
    I use Arq 7 on macOS to backup to various network, cloud and physical drives. This is able to mount network volumes both as backup sources and destinations, in addition to connected physical drives (internal or external). Source: over 3 years ago
  • Best cloud storage option for macOS in 2023
    Wasabi.com is an Amazon S3-alike that I use with the arqbackup.com client for remotely backing up my machines. Wasabi offers a nice desktop client for what looks like Dropbox-like capability. Haven't dug into that yet either. Source: almost 4 years ago

View more

Tracking CloudLinux since Mar 2021.

Alternatives to Arq and CloudLinux

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