Software Alternatives & Startups

Prey VS CloudLinux

Compare Prey VS CloudLinux and see what are their differences

Prey

Prey is the simplest and most reliable solution for tracking, data protection & management for Windows, Mac, and mobile devices. Track with precise location, wipe, reset and secure devices across all platforms.

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, Prey seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 45 times since March 2021.

social mentions
45 vs 0
Time Tracking popularity
100% vs 0%

Base details

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

Prey
CloudLinux
Website preyproject.com cloudlinux.com
Pricing
Open source Official pricing
Open source
Listed in

About Prey and CloudLinux

In their own words, as submitted to SaaSHub.

Prey
CloudLinux

Prey is a device tracking, protection & administration solution for endpoints and mobile devices. Track, monitor, and manage your company's laptops, tablets, and mobiles within a single platform to prevent theft, avoid data loss, and give you visibility. With Prey, you can accurately track...

Read more about Prey

No description of CloudLinux yet.

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Prey 5 features
CloudLinux 5 features
  • Cross-platform compatibility
    Prey supports multiple operating systems including Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, making it versatile for different device ecosystems.
  • Real-time tracking
    The application offers real-time location tracking of lost or stolen devices, which can help in quick recovery.
  • Remote management features
    Users can remotely lock devices, trigger alarms, take screenshots, and wipe data to protect sensitive information.
  • User-friendly interface
    Prey offers an intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface, which makes configuration and monitoring straightforward for users.
  • Open-source option
    Prey has an open-source version which can be preferred by users who want more control over the application's functionality.

Possible disadvantages

  • Limited free version
    The free version of Prey offers only basic features and supports a limited number of devices, which may not be sufficient for advanced users or larger organizations.
  • Dependence on internet connection
    Effective functioning of Prey requires a stable internet connection, which might be a limitation if the lost device is not connected to the web.
  • Privacy concerns
    Due to its tracking capabilities, there could be privacy concerns if the software is misused for unauthorized tracking of users.
  • Battery drain
    Continuous tracking and monitoring may lead to increased battery consumption on mobile devices.
  • False alarms
    There can be instances of false positives or inaccurate location data, which may lead to user confusion or unnecessary alarm.
  • 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.

Prey
CloudLinux

Overall verdict

  • Prey is considered a good choice for individuals and organizations looking to enhance their device security and recovery options. It provides reliable tracking services and useful management tools that can significantly aid in protecting against device theft or loss.

Why this product is good

  • Prey offers comprehensive device tracking and recovery features that are useful for both individual users and businesses. Its ability to track multiple devices, lock stolen devices remotely, and manage device security makes it a valuable asset in safeguarding technology assets. The software is praised for its user-friendly interface and effective functionality in locating lost or stolen devices.

Recommended for

    Prey is recommended for individuals who frequently travel or have multiple devices, small to medium-sized businesses that need to manage numerous devices, and educational institutions seeking an effective way to protect their tech investments.

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.

Prey 4 videos + Add
CloudLinux 3 videos + Add

Prey Review "Buy, Wait for Sale, Rent, Never Touch?"

More videos

  • - Prey Review - Updated For Patch 1.02 (PS4, Xbox One, PC)
  • - Prey - Before You Buy
  • - Location Tracking and Device Fleet Control using Prey

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
Prey
CloudLinux
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using Prey 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.

Prey no reviews yet
CloudLinux no reviews yet

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.

Prey 45 mentions
CloudLinux 0 mentions
  • Baldur's Gate 3 Steam Deck – Native Version
    It's a shame that the Steam Deck has no such a thing like Apple's "Find my". I used to be a great fan of Prey Project, but I don't think it's installable on the Steam Deck without leaving Steam mode. https://preyproject.com. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • GPS Tracking for Client Laptop's
    Beware this can become a privacy nightmare with very real legal consequences, but the best I know is https://preyproject.com/. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Employee laptop deposit?
    The other - perhaps more important - reason to provide a laptop is data risk management. If the laptop is yours, you can force encryption, backups, and install endpoint security tools, which allow you to remotely wipe it if... Source: over 3 years ago

View more

Tracking CloudLinux since Mar 2021.

Alternatives to Prey and CloudLinux

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