Software Alternatives & Startups

N-able Backup VS CloudLinux

Compare N-able Backup VS CloudLinux and see what are their differences

N-able Backup

Backing up your data and data protection has never gotten easier.

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.

Base details

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

N-able Backup
CloudLinux
Website n-able.com cloudlinux.com
Pricing —
Open source
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

N-able Backup 5 features
CloudLinux 5 features
  • Comprehensive Backup Solutions
    N-able Backup offers a wide range of backup solutions, including physical, virtual, and cloud environments, ensuring all data is protected.
  • Centralized Management
    The platform allows for centralized management of all backup tasks through the N-central RMM, streamlining processes and improving efficiency.
  • Scalability
    N-able Backup is designed to scale with your business, easily accommodating growing amounts of data and additional devices.
  • Secure Storage
    It provides secure data storage options, including encrypted backups both in transit and at rest, enhancing data security.
  • Rapid Restore Capabilities
    The solution offers quick data restore features, minimizing downtime in case of data loss or corruption.

Possible disadvantages

  • Complexity
    The comprehensive range of features and options can be overwhelming for new users or those without technical expertise.
  • Cost
    N-able Backup can be expensive, particularly for smaller businesses that may not need all the advanced features.
  • Initial Setup Time
    Setting up the platform and configuring backups can be time-consuming, especially for larger environments.
  • Learning Curve
    A steep learning curve may be present for users unfamiliar with backup solutions or the N-central RMM interface.
  • Resource Intensive
    The software can be resource-intensive, potentially impacting system performance during backup operations.
  • 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.

N-able Backup
CloudLinux

Overall verdict

  • N-able Backup is a solid choice for businesses seeking a robust, flexible, and user-friendly backup solution. Its comprehensive feature set and emphasis on security make it a good option for organizations prioritizing data protection and recovery.

Why this product is good

  • N-able Backup is considered a reliable solution due to its comprehensive feature set aimed at ensuring data protection and business continuity. It provides cloud-first protection with features like rapid recovery, automated workflows, customizable scheduling, and encryption. It also supports both physical and virtual environments, enabling diverse backup needs. Users appreciate its centralized management, ease of use, and the ability to store backups in secure data centers.

Recommended for

    N-able Backup is recommended for small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) as well as managed service providers (MSPs) that require robust data protection measures. It's particularly beneficial for those who need scalable solutions with a focus on ease of management and effective disaster recovery strategies.

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.

N-able Backup 5 videos + Add
CloudLinux 3 videos + Add

Getting Started with N-able N-central: Architectural Overview

More videos

  • - Getting Started with N-able N-central: Installation
  • - Getting Started with N-able N-central: Devices Overview
  • - N-able Backup: The Cloud-First Data Protection Solution
  • - Why I Chose N-able Backup over Veeam

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
N-able Backup
CloudLinux
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

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Reviews and articles

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

N-able Backup no reviews yet
CloudLinux no reviews yet
  • 8 Best RMM Software and Tools
    www.pcwdld.com · Jan 2021

    SolarWinds acquired N-able, developer of the already established N-central back in 2013. A few years later, they also acquired LOGICnow for its cloud and analytics capabilities. Both acquisitions, along with...

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

Alternatives to N-able Backup and CloudLinux

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