Software Alternatives & Startups

Deep Freeze VS CloudLinux

Compare Deep Freeze VS CloudLinux and see what are their differences

Deep Freeze

DESCRIBING DEEPFREEZE SOFTWARE Deepfreeze, by Faronics, is an application that solves a unique problem that many companies have these days; it prevents an end user from making permanent changes to important system/administrative files.

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
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Base details

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

Deep Freeze
CloudLinux
Website faronics.com cloudlinux.com
Pricing —
Open source
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Deep Freeze 5 features
CloudLinux 5 features
  • System Integrity
    Deep Freeze ensures the integrity of the OS and system files by restoring the system to its original state upon reboot, eliminating unwanted changes and potential damage from user activities.
  • Simplified Maintenance
    With Deep Freeze, regular system maintenance becomes simpler. Instead of manually removing unwanted changes or software, a reboot restores the system to a clean state.
  • Enhanced Security
    By restoring the system to its original state after every reboot, Deep Freeze effectively eliminates potential threats and malicious software that might have infiltrated the system during its use.
  • Cost Savings
    Reducing the need for IT intervention and repairs can result in significant cost savings, particularly in environments with multiple computers such as schools, libraries, and businesses.
  • Usability
    Users can experiment and use the system freely without the fear of causing permanent issues. This is particularly advantageous in educational and training environments.

Possible disadvantages

  • Loss of Data
    Any data or changes made during a session will be lost upon reboot if not saved to a non-frozen partition or external storage. This could lead to lost work if users are not careful.
  • Update Management
    Applying system updates or software patches can be cumbersome, as Deep Freeze needs to be disabled or placed in a 'thawed' state for updates, then re-enabled afterward.
  • Resource Usage
    Running Deep Freeze may consume system resources and slightly impact performance, especially on systems with limited hardware capabilities.
  • Dependence on External Storage
    Users must habitually save their work to external or non-frozen drives, which might not be as intuitive for some and could lead to workflow interruptions.
  • Initial Setup Complexity
    Initial setup and configuration might be complex and time-consuming, particularly in larger environments with numerous systems.
  • 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.

Deep Freeze
CloudLinux

Overall verdict

  • Deep Freeze is a reliable and efficient tool for ensuring system integrity and minimizing downtime due to software issues or misconfigurations. While it may not be necessary for all users, it serves a niche purpose exceptionally well, particularly in multi-user environments.

Why this product is good

  • Deep Freeze by Faronics is considered good because it provides robust system protection by restoring a computer back to its original state upon reboot. This makes it particularly effective for environments that require high uptime and low maintenance, such as educational institutions, libraries, and corporate settings. It helps in preventing unwanted changes, malware, and system configuration issues by 'freezing' the system's desired state.

Recommended for

  • Educational institutions managing multiple workstations
  • Libraries needing stable and clean systems for patrons
  • Corporate settings that require consistent and reliable computer performance
  • Public access kiosks where frequent system changes occur and need to be reset
  • Users who want a simple and effective way to maintain system stability without regular manual interventions

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.

Deep Freeze 3 videos + Add
CloudLinux 3 videos + Add

Deep Freeze Review - Prevent Unwanted Changes to Your PC

More videos

  • - Zyn Deep Freeze Review
  • - NEW Deep Freeze Bundle | Worth?! - Before You Buy - Fortnite

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
Deep Freeze
CloudLinux
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

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Alternatives to Deep Freeze and CloudLinux

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