Software Alternatives & Startups

Solus OS VS CloudLinux

Compare Solus OS VS CloudLinux and see what are their differences

Solus OS

Solus Operating System is a Linux distribution built from scratch, exclusively for desktop systems.

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, Solus OS seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 6 times since March 2021.

social mentions
6 vs 0
Linux popularity
100% vs 0%

Base details

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

Solus OS
CloudLinux
Website getsol.us cloudlinux.com
Pricing
Open source
Open source
Company 2012 —
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Solus OS 5 features
CloudLinux 5 features
  • Performance
    Solus OS is known for its performance and efficiency, especially on modern hardware. The operating system is optimized for speed and responsiveness.
  • Rolling Release
    It adopts a curated rolling release model, which ensures users have access to the latest software updates and security patches without needing to reinstall.
  • Budgie Desktop
    Solus OS comes with the Budgie desktop environment, which is known for its modern look and ease of use. It provides a clean and intuitive user interface.
  • Simple Package Management
    EOPKG, the package manager used by Solus OS, is straightforward and user-friendly, making software installation and updates a simple process.
  • Focus on Desktop Experience
    Solus is designed with a focus on the desktop experience, aiming to provide a hassle-free and polished user environment for daily computing tasks.

Possible disadvantages

  • Limited Software Repositories
    Compared to other major Linux distributions, Solus has a smaller selection of software packages available in its repositories.
  • Smaller Community
    Solus OS has a smaller user base and community compared to more popular distributions like Ubuntu or Fedora. This can affect the availability of community support and resources.
  • Less Enterprise Focus
    Solus is primarily aimed at home and desktop users, and may not have the enterprise-level features and support that some organizations require.
  • Limited Hardware Support
    Though Solus generally supports most modern hardware, there might be occasional issues with very new or very old hardware components not being fully supported.
  • Custom EOPKG
    While EOPKG is user-friendly, it is a less common package manager, meaning not all third-party software may have native support or instructions tailored for it.
  • 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.

Solus OS
CloudLinux

Overall verdict

  • Solus OS is generally considered a good choice for both new and experienced Linux users. It combines a polished user experience with efficient performance and a curated selection of software. Its unique design philosophy and independent nature make it appealing to users looking for an alternative to mainstream distributions.

Why this product is good

  • Solus OS is known for its simplicity, efficiency, and focus on desktop usability. It is independent, meaning it is built from scratch rather than based on another Linux distribution, allowing for a tailored experience. Solus offers a variety of desktop environments, including Budgie, GNOME, MATE, and KDE Plasma, each providing a distinct user experience. It's designed to be a user-friendly and stable operating system with a rolling release model, ensuring that users have the latest software while maintaining stability.

Recommended for

  • Users seeking a simple, efficient, and aesthetically pleasing desktop environment.
  • Those who appreciate a rolling release model with a focus on stability.
  • Individuals who want an independent distribution with a fresh take on the Linux desktop experience.
  • Users preferring out-of-the-box functionality with minimal configuration needed.

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.

Solus OS 4 videos + Add
CloudLinux 3 videos + Add

Why Another Linux Distro? - Solus 4 Review

More videos

  • - Solus 4.0 Budgie Review | Distro Delves S1:Ep4
  • - Solus 4 Review - I like it but ...
  • - Solus OS - Best Way To Be Independent | Unique Linux Distro

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
Solus OS
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.

Solus OS 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.

Solus OS 6 mentions
CloudLinux 0 mentions
  • On the harm shareholders can do to OpenSource
    If you are interested in an excellent, 100% community-based distro without any corporate involvement whatsoever, consider Solus. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Ubuntu are Evil, Fedora are going down that same road, what to do?
    You might consider Solus OS, an independent that is not derived from Arch, Debian, SUSE, Fedora or anything else. Built from the ground up. I've been using Solus since 2017, and have been happy with it. Solus is focused on the use... Source: over 3 years ago
  • Moving from Kinoite back to mutables
    You might want to take a look at Solus Plasma. Solus is an independent, entirely community-based and community-funded distro, offering KDE Plasma, Budgie and Gnome desktops. Source: over 3 years ago

View more

Tracking CloudLinux since Mar 2021.

Alternatives to Solus OS and CloudLinux

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