Software Alternatives & Startups

Wowza VS CloudLinux

Compare Wowza VS CloudLinux and see what are their differences

Wowza

Streaming media server supporting all known streaming protocols.

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.

Wowza
CloudLinux
Website wowza.com cloudlinux.com
Pricing
Open source
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Wowza 5 features
CloudLinux 5 features
  • Scalability
    Wowza Streaming Engine is known for its ability to scale efficiently, accommodating anything from small-scale to large-scale streaming demands without significant performance issues.
  • Versatile Protocol Support
    Wowza supports a wide array of streaming protocols including HLS, RTMP, and MPEG-DASH, making it highly versatile for different streaming requirements and devices.
  • Customizability
    The platform offers extensive customization options through its API, allowing developers to tailor the streaming service extensively to fit specific application needs.
  • Adaptive Bitrate Streaming
    Wowza provides adaptive bitrate streaming which enhances viewer experience by adjusting the video quality in real-time to match network conditions and device capabilities.
  • Extensive Documentation and Support
    Wowza offers comprehensive documentation and dedicated customer support which aids users in efficiently deploying and troubleshooting the platform.

Possible disadvantages

  • Complexity
    The platform can be complex to set up and manage, especially for those who do not have prior experience with streaming technologies.
  • Cost
    Wowza can be relatively expensive, particularly for small businesses or hobbyists, due to licensing fees and potential additional costs for scaling.
  • Hardware Requirements
    Running Wowza efficiently may require significant hardware resources, which could be burdensome for organizations with limited infrastructure.
  • Learning Curve
    There is a steep learning curve associated with mastering Wowza, meaning that time and effort are needed to become proficient in its use.
  • Dependency on Third-party Plugins
    While Wowza is highly extensible, it often relies on third-party plugins to extend functionality, which may introduce compatibility issues or require additional costs.
  • 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.

Wowza
CloudLinux

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Wowza is generally regarded as a good solution for professional and enterprise-level streaming needs. Its versatility and robust features make it a preferred choice for businesses that require a reliable and scalable streaming solution.

Why this product is good

  • Wowza is considered a strong choice for streaming solutions due to its robust and flexible platform that supports multiple streaming protocols and codecs, offering reliable and scalable streaming services. It provides comprehensive customization options and features like adaptive bitrate streaming, real-time analytics, and cloud-based or on-premise deployment options. Additionally, Wowza is often praised for its excellent customer support and extensive documentation that help users maximize the platform's potential.

Recommended for

  • Enterprises looking for a scalable and customizable streaming solution
  • Developers who need support for multiple protocols and codecs
  • Organizations seeking reliable and professional-grade streaming services
  • Content creators and broadcasters wanting adaptive bitrate streaming and real-time analytics

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.

Wowza 1 video + Add
CloudLinux 3 videos + Add

WMSPanel daily statistics for Wowza Media Server

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
Wowza
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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Alternatives to Wowza and CloudLinux

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