Software Alternatives & Startups

Clean Master VS CloudLinux

Compare Clean Master VS CloudLinux and see what are their differences

Clean Master

Some users swear by it, some call it a glorified snake oil that does more harm than good. That can be said about any snake oil, but what specific brand of snake oil can boast almost a billion downloads around the world?

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0 reviews
CloudLinux

Making Linux secure, stable, and profitable for thousands of hosting providers and data centers worldwide.

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0 reviews
Pricing
Open source
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Base details

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

Clean Master
CloudLinux
Website cleanmasterofficial.com cloudlinux.com
Pricing —
Open source
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Clean Master 5 features
CloudLinux 5 features
  • User-friendly Interface
    Clean Master features a straightforward and easy-to-navigate interface, making it simple for users of all technical levels to utilize its functions efficiently.
  • Comprehensive Cleaning Tools
    The app offers a variety of tools for cleaning junk files, memory optimization, and managing background processes to enhance device performance.
  • Improves Device Performance
    By removing unnecessary files and optimizing system resources, Clean Master can help improve the overall speed and responsiveness of a device.
  • Security Features
    Clean Master includes antivirus and privacy protection tools to help safeguard your device from malicious threats and unwanted data access.
  • Battery Saver
    The application includes features that monitor and manage apps consuming too much power, thereby extending battery life.

Possible disadvantages

  • Advertising
    The free version of Clean Master includes advertisements, which can be intrusive and diminish user experience.
  • Data Collection
    Concerns have been raised about the amount of user data collected by Clean Master, potentially compromising user privacy.
  • System Resource Usage
    Despite its optimization features, Clean Master itself can consume noticeable amounts of system resources, potentially negating some performance gains.
  • Potential for Over-Cleaning
    The aggressive cleaning algorithms used by Clean Master might sometimes delete important files or disturb system processes, leading to instability or loss of functionality.
  • Effectiveness Dispute
    Some users and experts argue about the actual effectiveness of such cleaning tools, suggesting that modern operating systems already manage resources efficiently.
  • 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.

Clean Master
CloudLinux

Overall verdict

  • Over time, many users and experts have raised concerns about the effectiveness and necessity of such apps. Clean Master, like other similar apps, has faced criticism for potential privacy issues, intrusive ads, and unnecessary functions. In many cases, modern smartphones have built-in capabilities to manage storage and performance effectively.

Why this product is good

  • Clean Master was initially popular for its ability to remove junk files and optimize device performance. It promised to free up space and boost the speed of Android devices, gaining a substantial user base seeking to improve phone efficiency.

Recommended for

    Clean Master may still appeal to users of older Android devices lacking built-in optimization features or those unfamiliar with manual file management. However, tech-savvy users might prefer native tools or more specialized apps to manage device performance without additional privacy or security risks.

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.

Clean Master 2 videos + Add
CloudLinux 3 videos + Add

Clean Master Reviews - Never Install It

More videos

  • - How to use Clean Master App

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
Clean Master
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.

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