Software Alternatives & Startups

Quad9 VS CloudLinux

Compare Quad9 VS CloudLinux and see what are their differences

Quad9

Quad9 is a free, recursive, anycast DNS platform that provides end users robust security protections, high-performance, and privacy.

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, Quad9 seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 50 times since March 2021.

social mentions
50 vs 0
Security & Privacy popularity
100% vs 0%

Base details

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

Quad9
CloudLinux
Website quad9.net cloudlinux.com
Pricing —
Open source
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Quad9 5 features
CloudLinux 5 features
  • Privacy-Focused
    Quad9 does not store any personal data about users and maintains a stringent privacy policy, ensuring that your DNS queries are not tracked or sold to third parties.
  • Security
    Quad9 provides robust security features by blocking access to known malicious domains, which helps protect users from phishing, malware, and other online threats.
  • Performance
    With a global network of servers, Quad9 offers fast DNS resolution, which can contribute to quicker website load times and improved overall internet browsing experience.
  • Easy to Set Up
    Changing your DNS to Quad9 is straightforward and can be easily configured on most devices without requiring technical expertise.
  • Free Service
    Quad9 offers its DNS services free of charge, making it an accessible option for anyone looking to improve their online privacy and security without additional costs.

Possible disadvantages

  • Limited Customization
    Quad9 does not offer as many customization options as some competing services, which may be a drawback for advanced users looking for more control over their DNS settings.
  • Possible Geolocation Issues
    Using a global DNS resolver like Quad9 can sometimes lead to geolocation issues, where content or services are delivered based on server location rather than user location.
  • Not as Established
    Quad9 is a relatively new entrant in the DNS space compared to longstanding providers like Google Public DNS and OpenDNS, which might make some users hesitant.
  • Dependency on Upstream Filters
    Quad9's security filtering relies on upstream threat intelligence providers. Therefore, the comprehensiveness of the protection is dependent on the accuracy and timeliness of these third-party sources.
  • 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.

Quad9
CloudLinux

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Quad9 is generally considered a good DNS service.

Why this product is good

  • Quad9 offers a DNS service that prioritizes security, privacy, and performance. It blocks known malicious domains using threat intelligence from multiple sources, enhancing cybersecurity for its users. Additionally, Quad9 respects user privacy by not logging or selling personal data.

Recommended for

  • Individuals and organizations seeking enhanced security against phishing and malware.
  • Users concerned about privacy and looking for a DNS provider that respects these values.
  • Anyone needing a reliable and fast DNS resolver for their internet activities.
  • IT administrators interested in a robust, secure DNS solution for networks.

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.

Quad9 4 videos + Add
CloudLinux 3 videos + Add

Quad9 9.9.9.9 VS Google 8.8.8.8 Benchmark Testing & Keeping Your Computer safer with Quad9 DNS

More videos

  • - Quad9 on PS4!! DNS Settings 9.9.9.9 (My Review)
  • - Keep your data and computer safe with Quad9
  • - Here's Why DNS Matters w/ John Todd from Quad9

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
Quad9
CloudLinux
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
DNS
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using Quad9 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.

Quad9 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.

Quad9 50 mentions
CloudLinux 0 mentions
  • Quad9 (DNS Resolver) to Exit France
    Https://quad9.net/ lists as being founded by Global Cyber Alliance, which was founded by City of London police, Manhattan District Attorney’s Office and Center for Internet Security. Quad9 openly operate in threat intelligence:... - Source: Hacker News / 13 days ago
  • The Great DNS Trail
    So assuming the answer to a query of what something like dev.to is mainly starts at the locally designated DNS servers. This will most likely be your ISP but it's not uncommon to utilize public DNS servers such as Quad9, Google, and... - Source: dev.to / 6 months ago
  • AT&T Paid a Hacker $370k to Delete Stolen Phone Records
    Maybe consider using https://quad9.net for DNS? It's nice having archive.today work. Otherwise you can always copy/paste the link to TFA into https://archive.org. - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago

View more

Tracking CloudLinux since Mar 2021.

Alternatives to Quad9 and CloudLinux

When comparing Quad9 and CloudLinux, you can also consider the following products.