Software Alternatives & Startups

PCMag VS CloudLinux

Compare PCMag VS CloudLinux and see what are their differences

PCMag

PC Magazine is a computer magazine published by Ziff Davis.

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.

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, PCMag seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 10 times since March 2021.

social mentions
10 vs 0
Online Services popularity
100% vs 0%

Base details

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

PCMag
CloudLinux
Website pcmag.com cloudlinux.com
Pricing
Open source
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

PCMag 5 features
CloudLinux 5 features
  • Comprehensive Reviews
    PCMag is known for its detailed and thorough product reviews that cover a wide range of technology categories, helping consumers make informed decisions.
  • Well-Researched Content
    The articles and buying guides are often well-researched and based on extensive testing and expert opinions, adding credibility to their recommendations.
  • Timely Updates
    PCMag is regularly updated with the latest news and trends in the tech industry, ensuring readers have access to current information.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The website is organized and easy to navigate, making it simple for users to find information and reviews relevant to their interests.
  • Diverse Topics
    Covers a wide array of topics within the technology space, including software, hardware, and general tech trends, catering to a diverse audience.

Possible disadvantages

  • Ad-Heavy Experience
    The site can be cluttered with advertisements, which might distract from the user experience and make navigation less smooth.
  • Subscription Model for Some Content
    Certain premium content may be locked behind a paywall or require a subscription, which might limit access for some users.
  • Bias Concerns
    As with many review sites, there can be perceptions of bias, especially if products are provided by manufacturers for review.
  • Overwhelming Amount of Content
    The vast amount of content available can be overwhelming for new users who are not sure where to start, especially if looking for specific information.
  • Variable Review Depth
    While many reviews are comprehensive, some might be brief or lacking in depth, which may not satisfy users looking for detailed analysis.
  • 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.

PCMag
CloudLinux

No analysis of PCMag yet.

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.

PCMag 2 videos + Add
CloudLinux 3 videos + Add

Apple Fitness+ Review | PCMag

More videos

  • - HP Z2 Mini G5 Workstation Review | PCMag

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
PCMag
CloudLinux
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

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

Log in or Post with

Reviews and articles

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

PCMag no reviews yet
CloudLinux no reviews yet
  • Top 10 software review sites for 2024
    www.wisestamp.com · Jan 2024

    PCMag’s distinctive approach centers around in-depth reviews and real-world testing, catering to users who seek expert opinions and comprehensive evaluations of software functionalities. The emphasis on practical,...

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.

PCMag 10 mentions
CloudLinux 0 mentions
  • The Best EV Brands for 2023 (Tesla, Kia/Hyundai Top Ranked)
    Pcmag.com -- pay per rank, basically a marketing tool for big brands. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Does Naga V2 Pro work with the Hyperpolling Dongle?
    You might want to contact pcmag.com. Source: almost 4 years ago
  • SpaceX to Launch Starlink Satellites Every Week to Build Second-Gen Network
    I don't have a good system for it. Scribd link was found using google, pcmag.com are deliberately not linking to it to keep readers on their site and I tried to find an FCC link, but couldn't. I just googled phrases from the article. Source: about 4 years ago

View more

Tracking CloudLinux since Mar 2021.

Alternatives to PCMag and CloudLinux

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