Software Alternatives & Startups

Carbonite VS CloudLinux

Compare Carbonite VS CloudLinux and see what are their differences

Carbonite

Unlimited online backup for one flat fee. Free trial, no credit card required.

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.

Carbonite
CloudLinux
Website carbonite.com cloudlinux.com
Pricing —
Open source
Company Startup from the United States —
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Carbonite 6 features
CloudLinux 5 features
  • Automatic Backup
    Carbonite automatically backs up files on your computer without requiring manual intervention, ensuring that your data is consistently protected.
  • Unlimited Storage
    Most Carbonite plans offer unlimited storage, allowing users to back up all their data without worrying about exceeding storage limits.
  • File Versioning
    Carbonite retains multiple versions of files, enabling users to recover previous versions in case of accidental changes or deletions.
  • Remote File Access
    Users can access their backed-up files from any device with an internet connection, providing easy access to important data at all times.
  • Encryption and Security
    Carbonite uses robust encryption protocols to protect data during transfer and storage, ensuring that users' information remains secure.
  • Customer Support
    Carbonite provides customer support via phone, email, and chat, helping users resolve any issues they may encounter.

Possible disadvantages

  • Performance Impact
    Running Carbonite backups in the background may impact system performance, particularly on older or less powerful computers.
  • Initial Backup Time
    The initial backup process can be time-consuming, especially for users with large amounts of data or slow internet connections.
  • Pricing
    Some users may find Carbonite's subscription plans to be relatively expensive compared to other backup solutions available in the market.
  • Limited File Types
    Certain plans have limitations on the types of files that can be backed up, such as excluding system files, applications, and videos.
  • No Mobile Backup
    Carbonite does not support direct backup of data from mobile devices, which may be a drawback for users who need comprehensive device coverage.
  • 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.

Carbonite
CloudLinux

Overall verdict

  • Carbonite is a reliable choice for individuals and small businesses looking for a straightforward and automated backup solution. While it may lack some advanced features offered by competitors, its unlimited storage for home users and user-friendly interface make it a good option.

Why this product is good

  • Carbonite is a cloud backup service known for its ease of use and set-it-and-forget-it automated backup options. It provides unlimited storage for home users and strong security features, including encryption. Additionally, Carbonite offers remote access to backed-up files, meaning users can access their data from any internet-connected device, which adds to its convenience and appeal.

Recommended for

    Carbonite is recommended for individual users and small businesses who want a simple, hassle-free cloud backup solution without worrying about storage limits. It's particularly suited for people who prefer automation and easy access to their files across different devices.

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.

Carbonite 3 videos + Add
CloudLinux 3 videos + Add

Carbonite Cloud Backup Review - Are Your Files Safe? [2019]

More videos

  • - Carbonite Review 2016 – Is It The Right Cloud Backup For You?
  • - Star Wars The Black Series Han Solo (Carbonite) 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
Carbonite
CloudLinux
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

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Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

Carbonite no reviews yet
CloudLinux no reviews yet
  • 15 Best Acronis Alternatives 2022
    rigorousthemes.com · May 2022

    Being able to back up your external drive, computer, and servers depends on the Carbonite package you choose. The backup and restoration process of files is really simple and needs very little work and expertise from...

We have no reviews of CloudLinux yet. Be the first one to post

Alternatives to Carbonite and CloudLinux

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