Software Alternatives & Startups

HostMonster VS CloudLinux

Compare HostMonster VS CloudLinux and see what are their differences

HostMonster

Hostmonster - Top rated web hosting provider - Free 1 click installs For blogs, shopping carts, and more.

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

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, HostMonster seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 1 time since March 2021.

social mentions
1 vs 0
Web Hosting popularity
91% vs 9%

Base details

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

HostMonster
CloudLinux
Website hostmonster.com cloudlinux.com
Pricing —
Open source
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

HostMonster 3 features
CloudLinux 5 features
  • User-Friendly Interface
    HostMonster provides an easy-to-use control panel, which is particularly beneficial for beginners who may not be familiar with managing web hosting services.
  • Unlimited Resources
    Many of HostMonster's plans offer unlimited bandwidth and storage, which is appealing for users who anticipate scaling their websites without worrying about resource limitations.
  • Free Domain Registration
    HostMonster includes a free domain registration for the first year, which can save users initial costs when setting up their website.

Possible disadvantages

  • Pricing Structure
    HostMonster's promotional pricing can be deceptive, as renewal rates can be significantly higher, which may not be clear to new users initially.
  • Performance Issues
    Some users have reported slower website performance and infrequent downtimes, which could be a concern for businesses relying on consistent uptime.
  • Limited Advanced Features
    For more experienced developers, HostMonster may lack some advanced features and configurations that other web hosting providers offer.
  • 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.

HostMonster
CloudLinux

No analysis of HostMonster 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.

HostMonster 3 videos + Add
CloudLinux 3 videos + Add

👉 HostMonster Review - Important Cons & Pros to Consider 🔥

More videos

  • - Host Monster Review 2020 | Pros and Cons of Hostmonster (2020)
  • - Hostmonster- Web hosting review 2021. Host monster pros and cons 2021.

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
HostMonster
CloudLinux
91% 91%
9% 9%
89% 89%
11% 11%
81% 81%
19% 19%
100% 100%
0% 0%

User comments

Share your experience with using HostMonster and CloudLinux. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

Log in or Post with

Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

HostMonster 1 mention
CloudLinux 0 mentions
  • Cannot Verify Server Identity
    Are you saying that you are actually renting a server from hostmonster.com which happens to host your email and likely other services? Source: almost 4 years ago

Tracking CloudLinux since Mar 2021.

Alternatives to HostMonster and CloudLinux

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