Software Alternatives & Startups

Avast! Online Security VS CloudLinux

Compare Avast! Online Security VS CloudLinux and see what are their differences

Avast! Online Security

Provides FREE website reliability and reputation ratings according to community-provided feedback

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.

Base details

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

Avast! Online Security
CloudLinux
Website chrome.google.com cloudlinux.com
Pricing —
Open source
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Avast! Online Security 5 features
CloudLinux 5 features
  • Phishing Protection
    Avast! Online Security provides effective protection against phishing attacks by warning users about suspicious websites, thereby helping to prevent identity theft and financial fraud.
  • Site Ratings
    The extension includes a feature that displays site ratings according to user reviews, which can help users make informed decisions about visiting certain websites.
  • Easy to Use
    Avast! Online Security has a straightforward interface that is easy to navigate, making it accessible even for users with limited technical knowledge.
  • Browser Compatibility
    The extension is compatible with major browsers like Chrome, providing users a convenient way to add an extra layer of security to their web browsing experience.
  • Regular Updates
    Avast frequently updates the extension to improve performance and enhance security features, ensuring users are protected from the latest threats.

Possible disadvantages

  • Privacy Concerns
    There have been discussions about Avast! collecting user data to improve its services, which may raise privacy concerns for certain users.
  • Performance Impact
    Some users report that the extension can slow down browser performance, leading to a less efficient browsing experience.
  • False Positives
    The extension may sometimes flag safe websites as threats, which can be inconvenient for users who rely on those sites.
  • Intrusive Notifications
    Avast! Online Security may display frequent notifications that some users find intrusive or annoying while browsing.
  • Limited Features in Free Version
    The free version might not offer all the features of the premium version, potentially limiting the overall protection and functionality.
  • 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.

Avast! Online Security
CloudLinux

Overall verdict

  • Avast Online Security is a solid, free browser extension that provides useful real-time protection against phishing, malicious websites, and online scams, making it a reasonable choice for casual users who want an extra layer of safety. However, users should be aware of past privacy concerns related to browsing data collection, so it is best used with an understanding of its data practices.

Why this product is good

  • Free to install and use with no subscription required
  • Warns users about phishing sites, malware, and known malicious domains in real time
  • Displays community-based safety and reputation ratings for websites in search results
  • Lightweight and easy to use with minimal configuration needed
  • Backed by Avast, a well-known name in the antivirus and security industry

Recommended for

  • Casual internet users wanting basic protection against phishing and scam sites
  • People who frequently shop or bank online and want site reputation warnings
  • Users seeking a free, no-cost supplement to their existing browser security
  • Less tech-savvy individuals who prefer simple, automatic safety alerts

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.

Avast! Online Security 0 videos + Add
CloudLinux 3 videos + Add

No Avast! Online Security videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

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
Avast! Online Security
CloudLinux
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

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Alternatives to Avast! Online Security and CloudLinux

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