Software Alternatives & Startups

Knowbe4 VS CloudLinux

Compare Knowbe4 VS CloudLinux and see what are their differences

Knowbe4

KnowBe4 provides Security Awareness Training to help you manage the IT security problems of social engineering, spear-phishing & ransomware.

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, Knowbe4 seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 6 times since March 2021.

social mentions
6 vs 0
Corporate LMS And Training popularity
100% vs 0%

Base details

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

Knowbe4
CloudLinux
Website knowbe4.com cloudlinux.com
Pricing
Open source
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Knowbe4 7 features
CloudLinux 5 features
  • Comprehensive Security Awareness Training
    KnowBe4 offers extensive security awareness training programs that cover a wide range of topics. This helps organizations educate their employees effectively about potential cybersecurity threats.
  • Phishing Simulation
    KnowBe4 provides customizable phishing simulation campaigns that allow organizations to test their employees' susceptibility to phishing attacks and improve their awareness.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The platform has an intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface, making it accessible for users with varying degrees of technical expertise.
  • Compliance Training
    KnowBe4 includes modules that help organizations meet compliance requirements for standards like GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI-DSS.
  • Regular Updates
    KnowBe4 frequently updates its training content and phishing templates to reflect the latest cybersecurity threats and trends.
  • Integration Capabilities
    The platform can be integrated with various LMS (Learning Management Systems) and security tools, making it versatile for different IT environments.
  • Detailed Reporting
    KnowBe4 offers robust reporting tools that provide detailed insights into user performance, allowing organizations to identify areas for improvement.

Possible disadvantages

  • Cost
    KnowBe4 can be expensive, especially for smaller organizations or those with tight budgets. The pricing is typically based on the number of users, which can add up quickly.
  • Content Overload
    Some users may find the extensive library of training materials overwhelming. This can make it challenging to choose the most relevant content for their specific needs.
  • Customization Limitations
    While KnowBe4 offers a wide range of training modules, there may be some limitations in terms of customizing the content to tailor it to specific organizational requirements.
  • Dependence on User Engagement
    The effectiveness of the training largely depends on employee participation and engagement. If employees do not take the training seriously, its impact may be limited.
  • Learning Curve
    Some organizations may experience a learning curve when initially implementing the platform, especially if they are not familiar with security awareness training tools.
  • Email Filtering Issues
    In some cases, phishing simulation emails sent through KnowBe4 might get flagged by spam filters, which can affect the accuracy of simulation results.
  • Limited Offline Access
    KnowBe4's training modules generally require an internet connection, which can be a drawback for employees who need offline access.
  • 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.

Knowbe4
CloudLinux

Overall verdict

  • Overall, KnowBe4 is considered highly effective for enhancing cybersecurity awareness and reducing risks related to human error. Its user-friendly interface and extensive resources make it a strong option for businesses looking to improve their security posture.

Why this product is good

  • KnowBe4 is a well-regarded platform in the cybersecurity industry, particularly known for its comprehensive security awareness training and simulated phishing platform. It helps organizations manage the ongoing problem of social engineering by educating their workforce on how to recognize and avoid various cyber threats. The platform offers a wide range of training content, customization options, and analytics to monitor progress and effectiveness.

Recommended for

    KnowBe4 is recommended for organizations of all sizes that are looking to bolster their staff's cybersecurity awareness and resilience against social engineering attacks. It is particularly valuable for businesses operating in sectors with high compliance and regulatory requirements, such as finance, healthcare, and government.

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.

Knowbe4 3 videos + Add
CloudLinux 3 videos + Add

KnowBe4 Review

More videos

  • - KnowBe4 Demonstration - Email phishing simulator & cyber security awareness
  • - KnowBe4 - Cybersecurity Training Portal - An Independent Review

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
Knowbe4
CloudLinux
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using Knowbe4 and CloudLinux. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

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Social recommendations and mentions

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

Knowbe4 6 mentions
CloudLinux 0 mentions
  • How do I tell my security team to tone it down with the phishing e-mails?
    If knowbe4.com is in header. Move to Phishing test folder. Source: about 4 years ago
  • Knowbe4 Salesman just deleted my account
    Our security team uses them. It always strikes me as bad form when we are told "don't open e-mail from people you don't know" and "don't click on links in e-mails" and then we get e-mail from "knowbe4.com" that says "You've been... Source: about 4 years ago
  • Does anyone know of any cybersecurity training products? For example, companies that test to see if employees are susceptible to phishing emails or any other products that are designed to test your employees cybersecurity knowledge and weaknesses?
    We use KnowBe4 with our clients for phishing and training. Source: over 5 years ago

View more

Tracking CloudLinux since Mar 2021.

Alternatives to Knowbe4 and CloudLinux

When comparing Knowbe4 and CloudLinux, you can also consider the following products.