Software Alternatives & Startups

Sprout VS CloudLinux

Compare Sprout VS CloudLinux and see what are their differences

Sprout

When HP’s Sprout Pro was introduced in 2014, everyone saw the possibilities.

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.

Sprout
CloudLinux
Website sprout.hp.com cloudlinux.com
Pricing —
Open source
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Sprout 5 features
CloudLinux 5 features
  • Innovative 3D Scanning
    The HP Sprout is equipped with a 3D scanner that allows users to easily create 3D models of real-world objects, which can be useful for designers, educators, and developers.
  • Touch Mat Interface
    It features a touch mat and projector that provide a unique and interactive interface, making tasks like editing graphics or creating art more intuitive.
  • Dual-Screen Capability
    The system offers dual screens (a touchscreen and a projection screen), enabling enhanced multitasking and a larger workspace for creative projects.
  • Creative Software Suite
    Sprout comes pre-loaded with a suite of software designed to complement its unique hardware, aiding creative professionals with tasks like photo editing, 3D modeling, and more.
  • All-in-One Design
    As an all-in-one desktop, it eliminates the need for multiple devices and peripherals, saving space and reducing clutter.

Possible disadvantages

  • High Cost
    The price point of the HP Sprout is significantly higher than traditional desktops and laptops, which may be a barrier for individual users or small businesses.
  • Large Footprint
    Due to its dual-screen and touch mat setup, the Sprout requires a large amount of desk space, which might not be suitable for all work environments.
  • Limited Software Compatibility
    While it comes with a creative suite, the Sprout may have limited compatibility with some professional software applications that creative professionals rely on.
  • Niche Market
    The features of the HP Sprout are highly specialized, making it more appealing to niche markets like designers and educators rather than general consumers.
  • Learning Curve
    Users may experience a learning curve when adapting to the Sprout’s unique hardware and software interface, potentially impacting productivity initially.
  • 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.

Sprout
CloudLinux

Overall verdict

  • Sprout (sprout.hp.com:443) is a useful platform, but its suitability depends on specific user needs.

Why this product is good

  • Sprout by HP is known for its innovative features such as 3D scanning, touch mat interface, and powerful collaboration tools, making it a good choice for creative professionals and education sectors.

Recommended for

  • Designers looking for a versatile tool with 3D capabilities.
  • Educators seeking interactive learning tools.
  • Creative professionals who benefit from innovative interfaces.

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.

Sprout 3 videos + Add
CloudLinux 3 videos + Add

Review! The PS Audio Sprout 100!

More videos

  • - Sprout 100 Review
  • - Sprout Social Review: More features than you'll likely need

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
Sprout
CloudLinux
100% 100%
HR
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

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