Software Alternatives & Startups

RunCloud VS CloudLinux

Compare RunCloud VS CloudLinux and see what are their differences

RunCloud

Hassle-free PHP web application & server management panel

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Paid Free trial $8 / Monthly (Basic Plan)
CloudLinux

Making Linux secure, stable, and profitable for thousands of hosting providers and data centers worldwide.

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, RunCloud seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 11 times since March 2021.

social mentions
11 vs 0
Monitoring Tools popularity
100% vs 0%

Base details

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

RunCloud
CloudLinux
Website runcloud.io cloudlinux.com
Pricing
Paid Free trial $8 / Monthly (Basic Plan) Official pricing
Open source
Platforms
Linux PHP
—
Listed in

About RunCloud and CloudLinux

In their own words, as submitted to SaaSHub.

RunCloud
CloudLinux

RunCloud is a modern web server panel for cloud servers such as AWS (Amazon Web Service), Digital Ocean, Google Cloud Platform, Alibaba Cloud, and other VPS hosting. In short, RunCloud is a deployment tool for the web developer to simplify the process of configuring, setting up a cloud server and...

Read more about RunCloud

No description of CloudLinux yet.

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

RunCloud 6 features
CloudLinux 5 features
  • User-Friendly Interface
    RunCloud provides a clean and intuitive interface that simplifies server management, making it accessible even to users with limited technical expertise.
  • One-Click Application Deployment
    Users can quickly deploy popular web applications like WordPress, Laravel, and others with just one click, saving significant time and effort.
  • Automated Server Configuration
    RunCloud automates various server configuration tasks such as setting up firewalls, installing PHP versions, and configuring databases, reducing the technical burden on the user.
  • Performance Optimization
    The platform includes built-in performance optimization features such as server caching, ensuring your applications run efficiently.
  • Team Collaboration Tools
    RunCloud offers tools for team collaboration, allowing multiple users to manage the same server with role-based access control.
  • Security Features
    The service includes robust security features like automated SSL certificate installation and server monitoring, enhancing the security of hosted applications.

Possible disadvantages

  • Cost
    RunCloud can be relatively expensive, especially for small businesses or individual developers who are on a tight budget.
  • Limited Cloud Provider Compatibility
    RunCloud supports major cloud providers but may not be compatible with all hosting services, limiting flexibility for some users.
  • Learning Curve
    While the interface is user-friendly, there can still be a learning curve for users unfamiliar with server management concepts.
  • Support Limitations
    Some users have reported that the support response time can be slow, and the available documentation may not cover all advanced use cases.
  • Feature Overlap
    Advanced users might find that some of the automated features overlap with their current workflow or custom setup, reducing the platform's overall utility.
  • 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.

RunCloud
CloudLinux

Overall verdict

  • Yes, RunCloud is a good choice for those who want to streamline cloud server management without deep technical expertise. Its robust feature set and automation capabilities make it a valuable tool for managing sites more efficiently.

Why this product is good

  • RunCloud is considered a good option for web developers and businesses looking to manage their cloud servers more efficiently. It offers a user-friendly interface, automated server setup, and a range of features like server monitoring, Git deployment, and SSL certificate management that simplify server management. Additionally, RunCloud supports multiple cloud service providers, making it versatile for various hosting needs.

Recommended for

    RunCloud is particularly recommended for freelancers, small to medium-sized businesses, and web agencies that manage multiple client sites. It’s also suitable for developers who want to reduce the complexity of server management while focusing on development work.

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.

RunCloud 3 videos + Add
CloudLinux 3 videos + Add

RunCloud webhosting cloud-panel review

More videos

  • - How to have multiple Wordpress Sites using RunCloud and Digital Ocean
  • - Cloudways vs Runcloud Review - Level Up Your Wordpress Hosting In 2020

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
RunCloud
CloudLinux
100% 100%
0% 0%
87% 87%
13% 13%
100% 100%
VPS
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using RunCloud 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.

RunCloud 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.

RunCloud 11 mentions
CloudLinux 0 mentions
  • Cloudways Asking Me for My Passport to Sign Up; Avoid Them?
    It's a server management service, they use AWS (or your host of choice) under the hood. I personally use something similar called Runcloud which I haven't had any problems with. It's a halfway house between a managed platform and your... Source: almost 4 years ago
  • free-for.dev
    Runcloud.io - Server management focusing mainly on PHP projects. Free for up to 1 server. - Source: dev.to / almost 4 years ago
  • Hosting panel for WordPress
    Maybe something more extensive than what you need, but RunCloud checks all of your boxes: runcloud.io. Source: over 4 years ago

View more

Tracking CloudLinux since Mar 2021.

Alternatives to RunCloud and CloudLinux

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