Software Alternatives & Startups

Lockdown Browser VS CloudLinux

Compare Lockdown Browser VS CloudLinux and see what are their differences

Lockdown Browser

LockDown Browser prevents cheating during proctored online exams. Learn how it integrates with Blackboard Learn, Canvas, Brightspace, Moodle, 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
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, Lockdown Browser seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 6 times since March 2021.

social mentions
6 vs 0
Education popularity
100% vs 0%

Base details

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

Lockdown Browser
CloudLinux
Website web.respondus.com cloudlinux.com
Pricing —
Open source
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Lockdown Browser 4 features
CloudLinux 5 features
  • Enhanced Security
    Lockdown Browser prevents students from accessing other websites, applications, or copying and pasting during an exam, thereby reducing the likelihood of cheating.
  • Easy Integration
    The browser integrates easily with popular learning management systems (LMS) like Canvas, Blackboard, and Moodle, making it convenient for educators to set up and use.
  • Preventing Print/Screen Capture
    The browser blocks functions like printing, screen capturing, and screen sharing, ensuring that exam content cannot be reproduced or shared.
  • Customizable Settings
    Instructors can adjust settings and controls according to their specific needs, such as allowing certain websites or applications that might be required for the exam.

Possible disadvantages

  • Technical Issues
    Students may experience software compatibility issues or hardware limitations, which can hinder their ability to complete the exam.
  • Privacy Concerns
    Students and educators might be worried about data privacy and the extent of monitoring, which could lead to concerns over the invasion of personal space.
  • Accessibility Issues
    Students with disabilities might find it challenging to use the Lockdown Browser, potentially making the exam experience unfair or non-compliant with accessibility standards.
  • Limited Offline Capability
    Since the Lockdown Browser requires an internet connection, it can be problematic for students who have unreliable or limited internet 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.

Lockdown Browser
CloudLinux

Overall verdict

  • Lockdown Browser can be a good choice for institutions and instructors who need to ensure that online exams are taken seriously and securely. However, it can be seen as controversial by students due to its intrusive nature, and there can be issues with accessibility and technical challenges.

Why this product is good

  • Lockdown Browser is designed to provide a secure online testing environment. It is used to prevent cheating by restricting the ability to open other applications, websites, or resources during an exam. This makes it a useful tool for maintaining academic integrity in online assessments.

Recommended for

    Lockdown Browser is recommended for educational institutions, instructors conducting online assessments, and any setting where exam integrity is a priority. It might not be ideal for students who have limited technical access or for those who feel uncomfortable with the level of 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.

Lockdown Browser 3 videos + Add
CloudLinux 3 videos + Add

Introduction to Respondus LockDown Browser for Students

More videos

  • - How to Use LockDown Browser + Respondus Monitor to Protect Exam Integrity | Canvas | Instructure
  • - Student Perspective (LockDown Browser & Respondus Monitor)

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
Lockdown Browser
CloudLinux
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using Lockdown Browser 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.

Lockdown Browser 6 mentions
CloudLinux 0 mentions
  • UBLOCK ORIGIN TO THE DEATH !
    Websites that only works on the signed browser binary for your "security"? FU Google, just let me own my computer Yes. This exact thing already exists. It's commonplace for a lot of school testing software. You have to use their specific... Source: about 4 years ago
  • Just Boss things
    I won't say the university, because I would like to keep my personal life off reddit. But I will say the program that was used is called "Lockdown browser". Source: over 4 years ago
  • I Did Research On Respondus Lockdown Browser
    My name is Aharon Weinstein, and I am in my undergrad at Georgia State University. Before getting into any information or research, I want to start by disclaiming that I was a news writer for The Signal during my first semester, which is... Source: over 5 years ago

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Tracking CloudLinux since Mar 2021.

Alternatives to Lockdown Browser and CloudLinux

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