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Lubuntu VS CloudLinux

Compare Lubuntu VS CloudLinux and see what are their differences

Lubuntu

Lubuntu is a fast and lightweight operating system with a clean and easy-to-use user interface. The core of the system is based on Linux and Ubuntu. Lubuntu uses the minimal desktop LXDE, and a selection of light applications.

Rating
0 reviews
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CloudLinux

Making Linux secure, stable, and profitable for thousands of hosting providers and data centers worldwide.

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0 reviews
Pricing
Open source
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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, Lubuntu seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 19 times since March 2021.

social mentions
19 vs 0
Linux popularity
100% vs 0%

Base details

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

Lubuntu
CloudLinux
Website canonical.com cloudlinux.com
Pricing —
Open source
Listed in
Linux Operating Systems Linux Distribution Open Source +1
Hosting Web Hosting Cloud Hosting VPS Hosting +1

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Lubuntu 6 features
CloudLinux 5 features
  • Lightweight
    Lubuntu is designed to be lightweight, making it ideal for older or less powerful hardware.
  • Faster Performance
    Due to its minimal resource requirements, Lubuntu typically performs faster than more feature-rich operating systems.
  • User Friendly
    The LXQt desktop environment of Lubuntu provides a simple and intuitive user interface, making it easy for new users to adapt.
  • Good Community Support
    As an official Ubuntu derivative, Lubuntu benefits from the extensive support and resources available from the Ubuntu community.
  • Regular Updates
    Lubuntu receives regular updates and security patches, ensuring a more secure and stable system.
  • Open Source
    Being an open-source project, Lubuntu is free to use, modify, and distribute.

Possible disadvantages

  • Minimal Software
    Out of the box, Lubuntu comes with fewer pre-installed applications, requiring users to install additional software to meet their needs.
  • Less Eye Candy
    The LXQt desktop environment is more utilitarian and may lack the visual polish and extensive customization options found in heavier desktop environments.
  • Limited Features
    To maintain its lightweight nature, Lubuntu sacrifices some advanced features and functionalities that might be present in other, more resource-intensive distributions.
  • Hardware Compatibility Issues
    While generally compatible with a wide range of hardware, some very specific or very new hardware may require additional drivers or tweaks.
  • Learning Curve for Advanced Customization
    Advanced customization and configuration might require more technical knowledge than what is needed for mainstream distributions.
  • 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.

Lubuntu
CloudLinux

Overall verdict

  • Lubuntu is a good choice if you are looking for a fast, efficient, and low-resource operating system that comes with the backing of Canonical's support and the extensive Ubuntu community.

Why this product is good

  • Lubuntu is a lightweight variant of the official Ubuntu operating system provided by Canonical. It is designed to be resource-efficient, which makes it an excellent choice for older hardware or systems with limited resources. The LXQt desktop environment, which Lubuntu uses, is known for its simplicity and speed. Additionally, Lubuntu benefits from the larger Ubuntu ecosystem, providing access to a wide array of software, community support, and regular security updates.

Recommended for

    Lubuntu is particularly recommended for users who have older computers or devices with limited RAM and CPU capacity, users who prefer a minimalist and straightforward desktop environment, and those who want to extend the lifespan of their existing hardware without compromising on functionality.

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.

Lubuntu 3 videos + Add
CloudLinux 3 videos + Add

Lubuntu 18.10 Review - Now with LXQt Desktop

More videos

  • - Lubuntu 19.10 Look Around
  • - Lubuntu 19.04 overview | Lightweight, fast, easier.

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
Lubuntu
CloudLinux
100% 100%
Linux
0% 0%
0% 0%
Hosting
100% 100%
100% 100%
Operating Systems
0% 0%
0% 0%
Cloud Hosting
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using Lubuntu 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.

Lubuntu 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.

Lubuntu 19 mentions
CloudLinux 0 mentions
  • Ask HN: Who is hiring? (January 2025)
    Canonical | https://canonical.com/ | REMOTE | Software-Defined Networking Engineer We are particularly interested in candidates with deep understanding of Open vSwitch (OVS) and Open Virtual Network (OVN).... - Source: Hacker News / almost 2 years ago
  • DevRel - Developer Relations - a scientific perspective
    Canonical: Engages with developer communities and ISVs to help them reach the Ubuntu ecosystem. Typically helps communities shape their snaps, charms, or Docker images based on Ubuntu and ensures Ubuntu is fully enabled in their CI/CD... - Source: dev.to / over 2 years ago
  • Running workloads at the edge with MicroK8s
    MicroK8s is a lightweight, batteries included Kubernetes distribution by Canonical designed for running edge workloads which also happens to be developer-friendly and a great choice for building your own homelab. The following lab covers... - Source: dev.to / over 2 years ago

View more

Tracking CloudLinux since Mar 2021.

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

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