Software Alternatives & Startups

ClamAV VS CloudLinux

Compare ClamAV VS CloudLinux and see what are their differences

ClamAV

Application and Data, Application Utilities, and Security

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, ClamAV seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 5 times since March 2021.

social mentions
5 vs 0
Cyber Security popularity
100% vs 0%

Base details

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

ClamAV
CloudLinux
Website clamav.net cloudlinux.com
Pricing
Open source
Open source
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

ClamAV 5 features
CloudLinux 5 features
  • Open Source
    ClamAV is open-source software, meaning it is free to use, modify, and distribute. This allows for transparency in how the software operates and encourages community involvement in development and updates.
  • Cross-Platform Support
    ClamAV is compatible with multiple operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and various Linux distributions. This makes it a versatile option for environments with diverse systems.
  • Email Scanning
    ClamAV can be integrated with mail servers to scan email attachments for malware, which provides an essential layer of security in email communications.
  • Regular Updates
    ClamAV receives regular updates to its virus definitions, ensuring it can detect and protect against the latest threats.
  • Command Line Interface
    It offers a command line interface, which allows advanced users to script and automate scans and updates, providing flexibility in how the software is used.

Possible disadvantages

  • Performance Overhead
    ClamAV can consume significant system resources during scans, which may impact performance, particularly on systems with limited hardware capabilities.
  • Detection Rates
    While ClamAV is regularly updated, its malware detection rate may not be as high as some commercial antivirus solutions, potentially leaving some threats undetected.
  • Lack of Real-Time Protection
    ClamAV primarily performs on-demand scanning rather than offering real-time scanning capabilities, which means it might not prevent infections as they occur.
  • User Interface
    The lack of a user-friendly graphical interface can be a barrier for less technically inclined users or those who prefer more intuitive software interactions.
  • Limited Features
    Compared to commercial antivirus software, ClamAV might lack additional security features such as firewall protection, phishing protection, and identity theft protection.
  • 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.

ClamAV
CloudLinux

No analysis of ClamAV 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.

ClamAV 2 videos + Add
CloudLinux 3 videos + Add

ClamAV - Anti-Virus for Linux - Is It Necessary?

More videos

  • - ClamAV : How To Install, Update Database and Scan On Windows 10

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
ClamAV
CloudLinux
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using ClamAV 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.

ClamAV 5 mentions
CloudLinux 0 mentions
  • Is there any way to see if you have a virus on a steam deck
    As for detecting or scanning you can use some tools like ClamAV. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Failed to update virus definitions
    My virus defs have been failing for 2 weeks now. If I have a TVS-872XT what do I choose from clamav.net to update it manually or regularly? Or any other sources I should consider for auto updating? Source: over 4 years ago
  • ClamAV not Updating/Version End of Life?
    None of this works. clamav.net doesn't allow for manual downloads. You are immediately banned if you try. Source: over 4 years ago

View more

Tracking CloudLinux since Mar 2021.

Alternatives to ClamAV and CloudLinux

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