Software Alternatives & Startups

ncdu VS CloudLinux

Compare ncdu VS CloudLinux and see what are their differences

ncdu

A disk usage analyzer with an ncurses interface, aimed to be run on a remote server where you...

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, ncdu seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 24 times since March 2021.

social mentions
24 vs 0
Disk Analyzer popularity
100% vs 0%

Base details

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

ncdu
CloudLinux
Website dev.yorhel.nl cloudlinux.com
Pricing
Open source
Open source
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

ncdu 7 features
CloudLinux 5 features
  • User-friendly Interface
    Ncdu provides a text-based user interface which is easy to navigate and offers clear, color-coded disk usage visualization.
  • Speed
    Ncdu is designed to be fast and efficient, able to quickly scan and index disk usage information even on large file systems.
  • Low Resource Consumption
    The application consumes minimal system resources, making it suitable for use on systems with limited resources.
  • Interactive
    Ncdu allows users to interactively browse through directories, delete files, and drill down to see detailed disk usage statistics.
  • Portability
    Ncdu is available for multiple platforms, including Linux, BSD, macOS, and Windows, making it versatile across different environments.
  • Open Source
    Being an open-source tool, users can freely inspect the code, suggest features, and contribute to the project.
  • Remote System Compatibility
    Ncdu can be used over SSH, which makes it convenient for managing disk usage on remote servers.

Possible disadvantages

  • Limited Advanced Features
    Ncdu primarily focuses on disk usage analysis and lacks some advanced features found in other tools such as detailed file metadata or advanced filtering options.
  • Text-based Interface Limitation
    While the text-based interface is quick and efficient, it may not be as intuitive or visually appealing as GUI-based disk usage analyzers for some users.
  • No Built-in Reporting
    Ncdu does not offer built-in functionality for generating comprehensive reports. Users have to manually compile data if detailed reports are needed.
  • Potential Learning Curve
    Beginners or users unfamiliar with command-line tools may find it challenging to get started and utilize all of ncdu's features effectively.
  • Lack of Detailed Visualization
    While ncdu offers a visual representation of disk usage, it doesn't provide more advanced visualizations like pie charts or graphs.
  • 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.

ncdu
CloudLinux

Overall verdict

  • Yes, ncdu is considered a good tool for disk usage analysis due to its efficiency, speed, and ease of use. It is well-suited for users who want a lightweight and straightforward solution without the need for graphical interfaces.

Why this product is good

  • ncdu (NCurses Disk Usage) is a disk usage analyzer with an ncurses interface. It is designed to provide a fast and easy way to view and manage disk space usage on your system. With its simple text-based interface, you can quickly navigate directories and identify which files or directories are consuming the most space. This tool is particularly useful for system administrators and users who prefer working in a terminal environment.

Recommended for

  • System administrators who need to quickly identify disk space usage issues.
  • Users who prefer command-line tools over graphical user interfaces.
  • Anyone managing servers or computers remotely through SSH.
  • Those looking for a lightweight and efficient way to manage disk space on Unix-like systems.

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.

ncdu 3 videos + Add
CloudLinux 3 videos + Add

ncdu - NCurses Disk Usage Utility - Linux TUI

More videos

  • - Lubuntu Screencast: Showing size of folders with du and ncdu
  • - Terminal File Manager - Amazing file manager in Terminal NCDU

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
ncdu
CloudLinux
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

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

Log in or Post with

Social recommendations and mentions

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

ncdu 24 mentions
CloudLinux 0 mentions

View more

Tracking CloudLinux since Mar 2021.

Alternatives to ncdu and CloudLinux

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