Software Alternatives & Startups

nwg-panel VS CloudLinux

Compare nwg-panel VS CloudLinux and see what are their differences

nwg-panel

Nwg-panel is a GTK3-based panel for sway and Hyprland Wayland compositors. The panel is equipped with a graphical configuration program that frees the user from the need to manually edit configuration files.

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0 reviews
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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Base details

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

nwg-panel
CloudLinux
Website github.com cloudlinux.com
Pricing —
Open source
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

nwg-panel 5 features
CloudLinux 5 features
  • Customizability
    nwg-panel offers a high degree of customization, allowing users to tailor the panel to fit their specific needs and preferences. Widgets, colors, positioning, and behaviors can be adjusted, making it versatile for various desktop environments.
  • Lightweight
    The panel is designed to be lightweight, which makes it an excellent choice for users who want minimal resource usage, beneficial for older hardware or systems with limited resources.
  • Wayland Support
    nwg-panel is designed to work with Wayland, providing a modern alternative to X11, which is useful for users planning to transition to or already using Wayland compositors.
  • Active Development
    The project is actively maintained, ensuring that bugs are addressed, and new features are added, which enhances the overall reliability and functionality over time.
  • Open Source
    Being open source, nwg-panel allows users to freely use, modify, and contribute to the project, fostering a community-driven approach to further development.

Possible disadvantages

  • Limited Documentation
    The documentation may not be as comprehensive as some other projects, potentially making it difficult for new users to set up or troubleshoot the panel.
  • Niche Application
    As it specifically targets Wayland compositors, users on X11-based systems will not be able to use nwg-panel, limiting its applicability based on the user’s setup.
  • Dependency on Wayland
    Users who rely on specific X11 features or applications may face challenges, as nwg-panel requires a Wayland environment, which might not support all X11 applications.
  • Potential Stability Issues
    As with any software that is actively developed, there might be occasional bugs or stability issues, particularly when new features are introduced.
  • 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.

nwg-panel
CloudLinux

Overall verdict

  • nwg-panel is a solid, actively maintained GTK-based panel designed specifically for wlroots-based Wayland compositors like Sway and Hyprland, offering a highly configurable and lightweight solution for users transitioning away from X11 panels.

Why this product is good

  • Purpose-built for Wayland compositors (Sway, Hyprland) using the wlr-layer-shell protocol
  • Highly configurable through a graphical configuration editor (nwg-panel-config), lowering the barrier to customization
  • Includes many built-in modules such as taskbar, workspace switcher, tray, clock, controls (brightness/volume/battery), and custom executors
  • Actively maintained by the nwg-shell project with regular updates and good documentation
  • Integrates well with the broader nwg-shell ecosystem (nwg-drawer, nwg-bar, nwg-dock) for a cohesive desktop experience
  • Open source and free, with a responsive maintainer and community on GitHub

Recommended for

  • Users of Sway, Hyprland, or other wlroots-based Wayland compositors
  • People who want a customizable panel without hand-editing complex config files
  • Linux users building a lightweight, modern Wayland desktop setup
  • Those already using or interested in the nwg-shell ecosystem tools
  • Tinkerers who value flexibility and a GUI-driven configuration workflow

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.

nwg-panel 0 videos + Add
CloudLinux 3 videos + Add

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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
nwg-panel
CloudLinux
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User comments

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Alternatives to nwg-panel and CloudLinux

When comparing nwg-panel and CloudLinux, you can also consider the following products.