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ClearOS VS CloudLinux

Compare ClearOS VS CloudLinux and see what are their differences

ClearOS

A very good alternative for Windows Server, for free

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0 reviews
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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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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.

ClearOS
CloudLinux
Website clearos.com cloudlinux.com
Pricing —
Open source
Listed in
Perimeter Security And Firewalls Operating Systems Cyber Security Cloud Computing +1
Hosting Web Hosting Cloud Hosting VPS Hosting +1

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

ClearOS 5 features
CloudLinux 5 features
  • User-Friendly Interface
    ClearOS offers a web-based graphical user interface that simplifies management tasks, making it accessible for users who are not well-versed in Linux.
  • Integrated Marketplace
    It has an integrated marketplace with various apps and services that can be easily installed to extend the functionality of the system.
  • Community Support
    The ClearOS Community version benefits from robust community support, including forums and user-generated documentation.
  • Versatile Deployment Options
    ClearOS can function as a gateway, server, or network management tool, providing flexibility in deployment.
  • Cost-Effective
    The Community edition is free, making it an economical choice for small businesses or personal use.

Possible disadvantages

  • Community Edition Limitations
    The Community edition may lack some features and support options available in the paid versions.
  • Hardware Compatibility
    Hardware compatibility can be an issue, especially with newer hardware, requiring manual driver installations.
  • Learning Curve
    Despite its user-friendly interface, there may still be a learning curve for users completely new to server management.
  • Resource Intensive
    ClearOS can be somewhat resource-intensive compared to other lightweight Linux distributions, potentially requiring more robust hardware.
  • Limited Advanced Features
    For enterprises requiring highly advanced or specialized features, the Community version may fall short, necessitating a move to paid editions.
  • 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.

ClearOS
CloudLinux

Overall verdict

  • ClearOS is generally considered a good choice for users and businesses looking for an open-source server OS with a low cost of entry and substantial community support. However, it's important to note that, like any open-source software, the quality of support and documentation can vary, and it's often dependent on community engagement.

Why this product is good

  • ClearOS is an open-source operating system designed to be a cost-effective replacement for Windows Small Business Server and other SMB products. It’s based on CentOS and is optimized for servers with an easy-to-use web-based interface. ClearOS offers robust features such as network management, firewall, VPN, content filtering, intrusion detection, and more. It also integrates with a variety of services through its marketplace where users can find additional applications to expand its capabilities. This makes it appealing for small to medium-sized businesses looking for a flexible and affordable server solution.

Recommended for

    ClearOS is recommended for small and medium-sized businesses, educational institutions, and non-profit organizations that need a flexible and cost-effective server solution. It is especially suited for environments that require an easy-to-manage interface, comprehensive network applications, and are looking for an alternative to more expensive proprietary server solutions.

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.

ClearOS 5 videos + Add
CloudLinux 3 videos + Add

Taking a Look at ClearOS 7.3

More videos

  • - Product Review - ClearOS 7 Server Community Edition
  • - ClearOS Revisited: Upgrading the homelab to a faster firewall/gateway.
  • - ClearOS Review
  • - Deploy Free ClearOS Home Version As Home Server and Firewall

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
ClearOS
CloudLinux
100% 100%
Cloud Computing
0% 0%
0% 0%
Hosting
100% 100%
100% 100%
Perimeter Security And Firewalls
0% 0%
0% 0%
Cloud Hosting
100% 100%

User comments

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Reviews and articles

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

ClearOS no reviews yet
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