Software Alternatives & Startups

ZeroSSL VS CloudLinux

Compare ZeroSSL VS CloudLinux and see what are their differences

ZeroSSL

FREE SSL certificates issued instantly online with Free SSL Certificate Wizard.

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, ZeroSSL seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 21 times since March 2021.

social mentions
21 vs 0
SSL Certificates popularity
100% vs 0%

Base details

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

ZeroSSL
CloudLinux
Website zerossl.com cloudlinux.com
Pricing
Open source
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

ZeroSSL 5 features
CloudLinux 5 features
  • Free SSL Certificates
    ZeroSSL offers free SSL certificates, making it an attractive option for smaller websites or those with limited budgets who need basic encryption and validation.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The platform is designed to be easy to use, even for those without technical expertise, with a straightforward process for generating and managing SSL certificates.
  • Multiple Validation Options
    ZeroSSL supports Domain Validation (DV), Organization Validation (OV), and Extended Validation (EV) certificates, providing flexibility based on necessary security assurance levels.
  • ACME Support
    ZeroSSL supports the Automated Certificate Management Environment (ACME) protocol, allowing for the automation of certificate issuance and renewal, reducing manual interventions.
  • API Access
    Offers an API for developers that can be used to automate the process of issuing and managing certificates, which is beneficial for large-scale deployments.

Possible disadvantages

  • Limited Free Plan
    While certificates can be obtained for free, the free plan offers limited features compared to paid options, such as shorter validity periods and fewer automation capabilities.
  • Potential Renewal Hassles
    Users need to frequently renew their free SSL certificates as they have shorter validity periods, which might require more frequent updates on the server.
  • Support Limitations
    Free users may have limited access to customer support, which could be a downside if issues or questions arise that require prompt resolution.
  • Feature Set Limitations
    The platform's advanced features may only be available under paid plans, limiting access for users who opt for the free plan.
  • 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.

ZeroSSL
CloudLinux

No analysis of ZeroSSL yet.

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.

ZeroSSL 0 videos + Add
CloudLinux 3 videos + Add

No ZeroSSL videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

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
ZeroSSL
CloudLinux
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using ZeroSSL and CloudLinux. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

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Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

ZeroSSL 21 mentions
CloudLinux 0 mentions
  • Let's Encrypt bans certificate usage in any US sanctioned country [pdf]
    Has anyone got any experience with Zero SSL? https://zerossl.com/. - Source: Hacker News / 5 months ago
  • SSL certificate requirements are becoming obnoxious
    Yeah, one of those is https://zerossl.com/. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • LetsEncrypt – Complete Outage
    Alternatives are available: https://zerossl.com/ (90 days) https://www.buypass.com/ (180 days). - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago

View more

Tracking CloudLinux since Mar 2021.

Alternatives to ZeroSSL and CloudLinux

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