Software Alternatives & Startups

Azure Storage Explorer VS CloudLinux

Compare Azure Storage Explorer VS CloudLinux and see what are their differences

Azure Storage Explorer

Easily manage your Azure storage accounts in the cloud, from Windows, macOS, or Linux, using Azure Storage Explorer.

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, Azure Storage Explorer seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 4 times since March 2021.

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

Base details

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

Azure Storage Explorer
CloudLinux
Website azure.microsoft.com cloudlinux.com
Pricing —
Open source
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Azure Storage Explorer 6 features
CloudLinux 5 features
  • User-Friendly Interface
    Azure Storage Explorer provides a graphical user interface that simplifies the management of storage accounts, making it easier to perform complex operations without needing deep technical expertise.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    The tool is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, ensuring that users can access and manage their Azure storage from any major operating system.
  • Comprehensive Storage Management
    It supports a wide range of Azure storage options including Blob Storage, Queue Storage, Table Storage, and File Storage, giving users a centralized tool for all their storage needs.
  • Integration with Azure Services
    Azure Storage Explorer integrates seamlessly with other Azure services, allowing for streamlined workflows and easy automation of tasks.
  • Data Security
    The tool provides advanced security features such as SAS tokens (Shared Access Signatures) for ensuring secure data access and transfer.
  • Task Automation
    Supports scripting and command-line access, enabling users to automate repetitive tasks and improve operational efficiency.

Possible disadvantages

  • Performance Issues
    Some users have reported slow performance, particularly when dealing with large datasets, which can hinder overall efficiency.
  • Complexity for Novices
    Despite its user-friendly design, the feature-rich environment can be overwhelming for beginners who may find it difficult to navigate advanced functionalities.
  • Limited Offline Capabilities
    The tool requires an internet connection to interact with Azure services, limiting its usability in scenarios where offline access is needed.
  • Resource Intensive
    Azure Storage Explorer can be resource-intensive, requiring significant memory and processing power, which can be problematic on lower-end systems.
  • Limited Customization
    The tool offers limited customization options, which may not meet the specific needs or preferences of all users.
  • Occasional Bugs
    Users have occasionally reported bugs and glitches, which can cause inconvenience and require troubleshooting.
  • 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.

Azure Storage Explorer
CloudLinux

Overall verdict

  • Overall, Azure Storage Explorer is considered to be a good tool, especially for those who are already using the Azure ecosystem. It simplifies the management of Azure storage resources and integrates well with other Azure services, making it a valuable tool for efficient cloud storage management.

Why this product is good

  • Azure Storage Explorer is a versatile tool that allows users to manage their Azure cloud storage resources with ease. It provides a user-friendly interface for accessing different types of storage accounts like Blob, Queue, Table, and File storage. It supports features such as data transfer, managing access control, and performing diagnostics, which enhance its functionality and usability for both developers and IT professionals.

Recommended for

    Azure Storage Explorer is recommended for developers, IT professionals, and businesses that utilize Microsoft Azure for their cloud computing needs. It's particularly beneficial for those who need to manage large volumes of data across various storage types and require a straightforward interface to do so.

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.

Azure Storage Explorer 3 videos + Add
CloudLinux 3 videos + Add

Microsoft Azure Storage Explorer Desktop Client Review

More videos

  • - Azure Storage Explorer
  • - Azure Storage Explorer 6 Review

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
Azure Storage Explorer
CloudLinux
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using Azure Storage Explorer 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.

Azure Storage Explorer 4 mentions
CloudLinux 0 mentions
  • Azcopy exclude folder?
    An easier way to copy files from your on-premises environment to an Azure File Share is using Azure Storage Explorer. Source: almost 5 years ago
  • Tackle 0 Byte files in Azure Blob Storage with ease using Azure PowerShell
    Now that we have a list of broken files, we can track them down in the Azure Blob Storage media container. For this I can highly recommend the Microsoft Azure Storage Explorer 💯. - Source: dev.to / over 5 years ago
  • Searching Azure Blob Storage files using Blob Index
    We're using the Microsoft Azure Storage Explorer to view these files. If you do not already have it installed, get it here. - Source: dev.to / over 5 years ago

View more

Tracking CloudLinux since Mar 2021.

Alternatives to Azure Storage Explorer and CloudLinux

When comparing Azure Storage Explorer and CloudLinux, you can also consider the following products.