Software Alternatives & Startups

OpenMediaVault VS CloudLinux

Compare OpenMediaVault VS CloudLinux and see what are their differences

OpenMediaVault

OpenMediaVault is the next generation network attached storage (NAS) solution based on Debian Linux.

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, OpenMediaVault seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 10 times since March 2021.

social mentions
10 vs 0
Cloud Storage popularity
100% vs 0%

Base details

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

OpenMediaVault
CloudLinux
Website openmediavault.org cloudlinux.com
Pricing
Open source
Open source
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

OpenMediaVault 6 features
CloudLinux 5 features
  • Open Source
    OpenMediaVault is free to use and customize, thanks to its open-source nature. This allows users to modify and extend the software to better suit their needs.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    OpenMediaVault offers a simple web-based interface that makes it easy for users of all skill levels to set up and manage their storage solutions.
  • Plugin Support
    The platform supports a wide range of plugins, enabling users to add additional functionalities like media servers, backup solutions, and more.
  • Regular Updates
    The community and developers frequently update the software, ensuring it stays current with new features and security patches.
  • Wide Hardware Compatibility
    OpenMediaVault is compatible with a wide range of hardware, from low-powered single-board computers like the Raspberry Pi to more robust server setups.
  • Community Support
    There is a strong community around OpenMediaVault that provides support, shares guides, and develops plugins to extend its functionality.

Possible disadvantages

  • Limited Enterprise Features
    OpenMediaVault may lack some advanced features and scalability options found in commercial NAS solutions, making it less suitable for very large enterprises.
  • Initial Setup Complexity
    While the user interface is straightforward, initial setup and configuration can be complex for users unfamiliar with NAS systems.
  • Reliance on Plugins
    Many advanced features require third-party plugins. If these plugins are not well-maintained, it can lead to stability and compatibility issues.
  • Performance Overhead
    Being a software-based solution, OpenMediaVault can introduce some performance overhead compared to hardware-based NAS appliances.
  • Less Robust Technical Support
    Unlike commercial solutions, OpenMediaVault relies primarily on community support and forums, which may not always provide timely or comprehensive assistance.
  • Limited Mobile App Support
    There is limited support for official mobile apps, which might be inconvenient for users who want to manage their NAS on the go.
  • 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.

OpenMediaVault
CloudLinux

Overall verdict

  • OpenMediaVault is considered a good choice for users looking for a cost-effective and flexible NAS solution. Its open-source nature, combined with a powerful feature set and intuitive user experience, makes it suitable for different levels of technical expertise.

Why this product is good

  • OpenMediaVault is a popular open-source network-attached storage (NAS) solution designed for home users and small businesses. It is praised for its ease of installation, user-friendly web interface, and robust set of features. The platform supports a wide range of services such as SSH, (S)FTP, SMB/CIFS, DAAP media server, RSync, and more. Additionally, it allows for extensive customization through plugins and has an active community for support.

Recommended for

    Home users, small businesses, and tech enthusiasts who want a customizable and budget-friendly NAS solution without compromising on features.

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.

OpenMediaVault 3 videos + Add
CloudLinux 3 videos + Add

Freenas vs Openmediavault: Battle of the NAS Titans

More videos

  • - OpenMediaVault NAS Linux Distro Review
  • - OpenMediaVault Network-Attached Storage (NAS) Solution

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
OpenMediaVault
CloudLinux
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using OpenMediaVault 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.

OpenMediaVault no reviews yet
CloudLinux no reviews yet

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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.

OpenMediaVault 10 mentions
CloudLinux 0 mentions
  • Windows to Linux Switch
    I'm using openmediavault.org for my "NAS" OS. No desktop, but it does have a good web-based GUI. To automount your NAS drive, you'd have to modify your fstab file. Lots of good tutorials online. Source: almost 4 years ago
  • Thinking about making a home storage server
    Basically, there a few options to start with. The most decent ones are TrueNAS/FreeNAS (https://www.truenas.com/) , OMV (openmediavault.org), both supports zfs. Also, you can look into UnRAID (https://unraid.net/) which allows you to... Source: almost 4 years ago
  • just how well does the nvidea shield pro do as a plex server?
    I have 5 Optiplex 3010's (i3-3rd Gen processors) sitting in my closet with 4GB RAM that would work just fine as a direct play Plex server with openmediavault as it's OS. And should even HW Transcode a couple of 1080p files with a Plex Pass. Source: about 4 years ago

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Tracking CloudLinux since Mar 2021.

Alternatives to OpenMediaVault and CloudLinux

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