Software Alternatives & Startups

htop VS CloudLinux

Compare htop VS CloudLinux and see what are their differences

htop

htop - an interactive process viewer for Unix. This is htop, an interactive process viewer for Unix systems. It is a text-mode application (for console or X terminals) and requires ncurses. Latest release: htop 2.

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.

htop
CloudLinux
Website hisham.hm cloudlinux.com
Pricing —
Open source
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

htop 6 features
CloudLinux 5 features
  • User-friendly Interface
    htop features a colorful, visually appealing interface that displays system processes in a tree structure, which makes it easier to understand process hierarchies and relationships.
  • Interactive Process Management
    You can easily manage processes in htop by using keyboard shortcuts to kill, renice, or trace processes without needing to type out commands.
  • Customizable Display
    htop allows users to customize which metrics are displayed and in what order, enabling more efficient monitoring tailored to individual needs.
  • Resource Usage Meters
    It provides live updating meters and histograms for CPU, memory, and swap usage, offering a quick overview of system performance.
  • Process Filtering and Sorting
    htop includes advanced filtering and sorting options that make it easy to find specific processes or sort them by criteria like CPU usage, memory usage, or user.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    htop is compatible with a variety of Unix-like systems including Linux, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, and macOS, making it versatile for use in different environments.

Possible disadvantages

  • Resource Consumption
    Because htop provides live updates and a rich graphical interface, it consumes more system resources compared to simpler tools like top.
  • Limited Remote Monitoring
    htop does not natively support remote monitoring of systems, which can make it less useful in distributed or cloud environments without additional tools or configurations.
  • Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    While the basic interface is intuitive, mastering htop's advanced features and customizations may require additional learning and familiarity.
  • No Built-in Logging
    htop does not have functionality for logging or saving historical data, which can limit its usefulness for performance tracking over time without third-party tools.
  • Dependency on Terminal
    As a terminal-based application, htop requires a terminal to run, which might not be ideal for users who prefer GUI-based monitoring tools.
  • Lack of Detailed Metrics
    htop provides an overview of system performance but does not offer the granularity of metrics provided by specialized monitoring tools dedicated to in-depth analysis.
  • 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.

htop
CloudLinux

Overall verdict

  • Yes, htop is considered a good tool. It improves upon the functionality of the standard top command by providing a more intuitive interface and additional features that enhance usability and efficiency in system monitoring.

Why this product is good

  • Htop is an interactive process viewer for Unix systems, offering an enhanced, user-friendly alternative to the traditional top command. It provides a visually appealing interface that allows users to easily monitor system processes, resource usage, and performance in real-time. Features like tree view for process hierarchies, customizable meters, and the ability to manage processes make it a popular tool among system administrators and power users.

Recommended for

  • System administrators
  • Linux and Unix users
  • IT professionals
  • Developers interested in system performance
  • Servers monitoring

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.

htop 3 videos + Add
CloudLinux 3 videos + Add

Htop Review Video

More videos

  • - HTOP Hotel DO's and DONT's || REVIEW #2
  • - Htop - Terminal-Based Interactive Process Viewing Program

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
htop
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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CloudLinux no reviews yet

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Alternatives to htop and CloudLinux

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