Software Alternatives & Startups

iExplorer VS CloudLinux

Compare iExplorer VS CloudLinux and see what are their differences

iExplorer

iExplorer lets you easily transfer music, playlists, text messages, files and more from any iPhone, iPod, or iPad to a Mac or Windows computer and iTunes.

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
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.

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, iExplorer seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 13 times since March 2021.

social mentions
13 vs 0
iPhone popularity
100% vs 0%

Base details

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

iExplorer
CloudLinux
Website macroplant.com cloudlinux.com
Pricing —
Open source
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

iExplorer 5 features
CloudLinux 5 features
  • User-Friendly Interface
    iExplorer boasts an intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface, making it accessible for users at all skill levels.
  • Compatibility
    The software is compatible with both Windows and Mac operating systems, ensuring broad usability.
  • Versatile Data Management
    Allows users to manage and transfer a wide array of data types, including music, text messages, contacts, and more.
  • No Jailbreak Required
    iExplorer does not require a jailbroken device, preserving the integrity and warranty of the user's iOS device.
  • Backup and Export Capabilities
    Users can easily backup and export data from their iOS devices to their computer to prevent data loss.

Possible disadvantages

  • Cost
    iExplorer is not free; while there is a demo version, the full features require a paid license.
  • Limited Free Version
    The free version of iExplorer is severely limited in functionality, which might not be sufficient for many users' needs.
  • Occasional Connectivity Issues
    Some users report occasional issues with device connectivity, which can hinder data transfer processes.
  • No Wireless Transfer
    iExplorer requires a physical connection (USB) to the iOS device, which may be inconvenient for some users.
  • Resource Intensive
    The software can be resource-intensive, potentially slowing down other operations on the user's computer during usage.
  • 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.

iExplorer
CloudLinux

No analysis of iExplorer 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.

iExplorer 2 videos + Add
CloudLinux 3 videos + Add

iExplorer App Review

More videos

  • - How To Install iExplorer To Manage Your iOS Devices as a Professional - Mac&Windows

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
iExplorer
CloudLinux
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

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

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Reviews and articles

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

iExplorer no reviews yet
CloudLinux no reviews yet

We have no reviews of CloudLinux yet. Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

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

iExplorer 13 mentions
CloudLinux 0 mentions
  • Any ideas on how to extract old photos from iPhone5?
    I've had success with this one in the past, there are others if you search: https://macroplant.com/iexplorer. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • Transferring music off of an iPhone to another device?
    On Windows, there is a tool you can download called iExplorer by Macroplant. It's 40$ for a license, but the free demo let's you do up to 10 songs at a time. Hope this helps anyone! Source: over 3 years ago
  • Where is dungeon data stored in the Puzzle and Dragons app?
    If you are looking for iExplorer, https://macroplant.com/iexplorer. Source: almost 4 years ago

View more

Tracking CloudLinux since Mar 2021.

Alternatives to iExplorer and CloudLinux

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