Software Alternatives & Startups

Rackspace VS CloudLinux

Compare Rackspace VS CloudLinux and see what are their differences

Rackspace

More than 100,000 businesses trust Rackspace with their hosting and cloud computing. Get cloud, managed and hybrid hosting all backed by Fanatical Support.

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, Rackspace seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 2 times since March 2021.

social mentions
2 vs 0
Cloud Computing popularity
100% vs 0%

Base details

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

Rackspace
CloudLinux
Website rackspace.com cloudlinux.com
Pricing —
Open source
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Rackspace 6 features
CloudLinux 5 features
  • Customer Support
    Rackspace is highly regarded for its exceptional customer support, available 24/7. They provide managed services and assistance that can help businesses operate their infrastructure more smoothly.
  • Managed Services
    Rackspace offers a range of managed services, including cloud management, security services, and data management, allowing businesses to focus on their core activities rather than IT needs.
  • Multi-Cloud Expertise
    Rackspace supports various cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, and its own OpenStack private cloud. This multi-cloud capability provides flexibility and helps in avoiding vendor lock-in.
  • Security and Compliance
    Rackspace provides robust security measures and compliance support for various standards like HIPAA, PCI DSS, and GDPR, which is crucial for industries with strict regulatory requirements.
  • Scalability
    The platform allows businesses to easily scale their operations up or down, accommodating growth and changes in demand.
  • Flexibility in Service Models
    Rackspace offers multiple service models, including public cloud, private cloud, and hybrid cloud, catering to diverse business needs.

Possible disadvantages

  • Cost
    Rackspace's managed services and premium customer support come at a higher cost compared to some other providers. For small businesses, this might be a significant expense.
  • Complexity
    The breadth of services and options can be overwhelming for new users, making the initial setup and configuration somewhat complex and time-consuming.
  • Vendor Lock-in
    While Rackspace offers multi-cloud support, some services and features may be proprietary, leading to potential vendor lock-in scenarios.
  • Performance Variability
    Performance may vary depending on the specific service and infrastructure used. Some users have reported variations in speed and reliability.
  • Geographical Restrictions
    Rackspace has specific data center locations, which may not be ideal for all global customers. This can affect latency and compliance for businesses operating in regions not fully supported by Rackspace data centers.
  • 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.

Rackspace
CloudLinux

Overall verdict

  • Overall, Rackspace is a solid choice for organizations looking for managed cloud services. Its reputation for top-notch customer support and a wide range of service offerings make it appealing. However, pricing may be higher compared to some other providers, so it's important to assess the specific needs and budget constraints of your business.

Why this product is good

  • Rackspace is known for its reliable cloud computing services and exceptional customer support. They offer managed hosting, public and private cloud solutions, and hybrid cloud services, which cater to different business needs. Their expertise in managed services allows businesses to focus on their core functions while relying on Rackspace for infrastructure management. Additionally, Rackspace has a strong security posture and compliance with various industry standards, which is crucial for businesses concerned with data protection.

Recommended for

    Rackspace is recommended for businesses of all sizes that require managed cloud solutions with reliable customer support. It's particularly suitable for companies with complex infrastructure needs, compliance requirements, or those lacking the in-house expertise to manage cloud environments effectively.

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.

Rackspace 3 videos + Add
CloudLinux 3 videos + Add

vCenter Review by a Principal Architect at Rackspace

More videos

  • - Rackspace Email - Domain Name System: Introduction & Setup
  • - Rackspace Email Plus Product Demo

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
Rackspace
CloudLinux
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
VPS
0% 0%
75% 75%
25% 25%

User comments

Share your experience with using Rackspace 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.

Rackspace 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.

Rackspace 2 mentions
CloudLinux 0 mentions
  • new phone activation issues
    On the phone with Verizon now (6:04pm EST 3/1) and was just told another 24 hours. I'm also in IT and if this has been going on for over 24 hrs already and is project for another 24 hrs something BAD is going on. Ransomware????? This is... Source: over 3 years ago
  • Question about AD Directory Sync for o365
    I've heard a lot about BitTitan but have never used it. And yeah, most of my migrations have been an onsite exchange server to the o365 cloud and go really smooth. The others are usually some free email that comes with the webhost, like... Source: about 4 years ago

Tracking CloudLinux since Mar 2021.

Alternatives to Rackspace and CloudLinux

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