Software Alternatives & Startups

Lantern VS CloudLinux

Compare Lantern VS CloudLinux and see what are their differences

Lantern

Lantern delivers fast, reliable and secure access to the open internet. Download Lantern for free access to blocked videos, news, social media and more. Available for Windows, Android, Mac, Ubuntu.

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source
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, Lantern seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 4 times since March 2021.

social mentions
4 vs 0
VPN popularity
100% vs 0%

Base details

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

Lantern
CloudLinux
Website getlantern.org cloudlinux.com
Pricing
Open source
Open source
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Lantern 5 features
CloudLinux 5 features
  • Speed
    Lantern uses advanced techniques to find the fastest possible routes to deliver content, which can result in quicker access and data retrieval compared to other anti-censorship tools.
  • User-Friendly
    Lantern offers a straightforward, easy-to-use interface that even non-tech-savvy users can navigate with minimal guidance.
  • Automatic Censorship Detection
    Lantern can automatically detect when content is blocked and redirect users to an accessible source, providing seamless browsing without interruptions.
  • Cross-Platform
    Available for multiple operating systems including Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, allowing users to access censored content across devices.
  • Freemium Model
    Offers a free version with basic functionalities, making it accessible to users who cannot afford to pay for anti-censorship tools.

Possible disadvantages

  • Privacy Concerns
    Lantern is not a VPN and does not encrypt all internet traffic, which might expose users to privacy risks and surveillance.
  • Limited Data for Free Users
    The free version of Lantern has data limitations, which can be restrictive for users who require extensive use.
  • Potential Network Instability
    Depending on network conditions and server load, users may experience varying levels of connectivity and reliability.
  • Subscription Costs
    While the basic version is free, advanced features require a subscription, which may not be affordable for all users.
  • Not Fully Open Source
    Lantern's core is open source, but some components are proprietary, which can be a concern for users who prioritize complete transparency.
  • 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.

Lantern
CloudLinux

No analysis of Lantern 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.

Lantern 3 videos + Add
CloudLinux 3 videos + Add

REI Co-op Gear Guide: Best Camping Lanterns

More videos

  • - Lantern Reviews - Coast vs. Ozark vs. LifeGear
  • - Hurricane Lantern Review- The Feuerhand 276

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
Lantern
CloudLinux
100% 100%
VPN
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using Lantern 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.

Lantern 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.

Lantern 4 mentions
CloudLinux 0 mentions
  • For some reason, the recommended vpns on this sub (mullvad, IVPN, etc) are all banned in my country. Any good alternatives?
    I still think it's quite odd you can't access the website even with different DNS and Tor. You can also try something like https://getlantern.org/ but sure, feel free to check other VPNs like AirVPN and OVPN. Source: about 4 years ago
  • VPN for China
    Lantern - https://getlantern.org/ (different technology compared to VPNs, therefore sometimes works when VPNs don't work). Source: about 4 years ago
  • Secure Internet Access
    For those of you who may need secure internet access - https://getlantern.org. Source: over 4 years ago

View more

Tracking CloudLinux since Mar 2021.

Alternatives to Lantern and CloudLinux

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