Software Alternatives & Startups

Qualys VS CloudLinux

Compare Qualys VS CloudLinux and see what are their differences

Qualys

Qualys helps your business automate the full spectrum of auditing, compliance and protection of your IT systems and web applications.

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.

Base details

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

Qualys
CloudLinux
Website qualys.com cloudlinux.com
Pricing
Open source
Company Startup from the United States —
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Qualys 6 features
CloudLinux 5 features
  • Comprehensive Security
    Qualys offers a wide array of tools and functionalities, including vulnerability management, policy compliance, and web application scanning, providing comprehensive security coverage.
  • Cloud-based Platform
    Being a cloud-based solution, Qualys is easily accessible from any location, reducing the need for heavy, on-premise infrastructure.
  • Automated Scanning
    Automated, continuous scanning helps keep security measures up to date without requiring constant manual intervention.
  • Detailed Reporting
    Qualys provides detailed and customizable reports that help in understanding the security posture and in complying with regulatory requirements.
  • Integration Capabilities
    The platform easily integrates with other tools and systems, allowing for a streamlined workflow and enhanced security ecosystem.
  • Scalability
    Qualys scales easily from small businesses to large enterprises, providing flexible solutions that can grow with the organization.

Possible disadvantages

  • Cost
    While offering comprehensive features, the cost can be high, which may not be feasible for smaller organizations or those with limited budgets.
  • Complex Setup and Configuration
    Initial setup and configuration can be complex and time-consuming, often requiring expert knowledge to get the most out of the platform.
  • Steep Learning Curve
    Given its extensive feature set, the platform may have a steep learning curve for new users, necessitating substantial training and familiarization.
  • Performance Impact
    In some instances, on-premise scanners and agents can cause performance degradation of the systems they are monitoring.
  • Support Response Time
    Some users have reported slower response times from Qualys support, which can be an issue during critical situations.
  • Limited Customizations
    While Qualys provides many features, some users have found limitations in the ability to customize certain tools and workflows to fit specific needs.
  • 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.

Qualys
CloudLinux

Overall verdict

  • Qualys is generally regarded as a highly effective and reputable solution in the cybersecurity industry. Its continuous updates and innovative features ensure that it remains a top choice for businesses seeking robust security and compliance tools.

Why this product is good

  • Qualys is considered good due to its comprehensive suite of cloud-based security and compliance solutions. It offers services such as vulnerability management, threat protection, and compliance monitoring, which are essential for businesses looking to secure their IT infrastructure. Its platform is known for being reliable, scalable, and user-friendly, making it suitable for organizations of varying sizes.

Recommended for

    Qualys is recommended for businesses of all sizes that need a cloud-based, scalable, and comprehensive security solution. It's particularly beneficial for organizations that require vulnerability management, compliance monitoring, and those operating in highly regulated industries where security is paramount.

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.

Qualys 3 videos + Add
CloudLinux 3 videos + Add

Qualys Review by SecNetlab

More videos

  • - Introduction to QualysGuard Vulnerability Management
  • - Qualys Security Assessment Questionnaire

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
Qualys
CloudLinux
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

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Reviews and articles

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

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