Software Alternatives & Startups

Zimbra VS CloudLinux

Compare Zimbra VS CloudLinux and see what are their differences

Zimbra

Zimbra is trusted by over 500 million users to increase productivity with a complete set of collaboration tools while maintaining total control over security and privacy.

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.

Zimbra
CloudLinux
Website zimbra.com cloudlinux.com
Pricing —
Open source
Listed in

About Zimbra and CloudLinux

In their own words, as submitted to SaaSHub.

Zimbra
CloudLinux

Zimbra is the trusted email and collaboration platform and productivity suite that includes contacts, calendar, tasks, chat and file sharing, plus videoconferencing, document editing, and file storage. Built on an open source core, it features a modern interface, pre-integrations with popular...

Read more about Zimbra

No description of CloudLinux yet.

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Zimbra 6 features
CloudLinux 5 features
  • Open Source
    Zimbra offers an open-source solution for email, calendar, and collaboration tools, allowing users to modify and customize the software according to their needs.
  • Cost-Effective
    Zimbra can be a more affordable option compared to proprietary email solutions, especially for small and mid-sized businesses.
  • Scalability
    Zimbra is capable of scaling to meet the needs of both small businesses and large enterprises, making it a versatile option for organizations of different sizes.
  • Feature-Rich
    Zimbra includes a wide range of features such as email, calendar, contacts, task management, and file sharing, which can enhance productivity and collaboration.
  • Cross-Platform Support
    Zimbra supports various platforms including Windows, Mac, and Linux, and offers web-based access, which enhances its accessibility.
  • Integration Capabilities
    Zimbra can integrate with other enterprise applications and services, including Microsoft Outlook, enhancing its utility within an existing IT infrastructure.

Possible disadvantages

  • Complex Installation and Maintenance
    Setting up and maintaining Zimbra requires a certain level of technical expertise, which can be a barrier for organizations without dedicated IT staff.
  • Resource Intensive
    Zimbra can be resource-intensive, requiring significant server resources to run effectively, which can be a drawback for organizations with limited IT infrastructure.
  • Limited Support
    While community support is available, the extent and quality can be inconsistent. Paid support options are available but add to the overall cost.
  • Learning Curve
    The wide range of features and customization options in Zimbra can result in a steep learning curve for new users, which may impact initial productivity.
  • Occasional Performance Issues
    Some users have reported experiencing performance issues with Zimbra, particularly when handling large volumes of emails or during peak usage times.
  • Compatibility Issues
    Although Zimbra supports integration, there can be compatibility issues with certain third-party applications or specific versions of software, which might require additional troubleshooting.
  • 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.

Zimbra
CloudLinux

Overall verdict

  • Zimbra is generally considered a good choice for businesses and educational institutions seeking a reliable email server solution with strong collaboration tools. Its versatility, security features, and scalability make it suitable for various organizational needs.

Why this product is good

  • Zimbra is known for its robust set of email server features, including support for both web-based and desktop email clients, calendar and address book integration, and strong security features. It also offers good customization options, scalability, and is available with open-source options, which makes it an attractive choice for both small and large organizations. Additionally, Zimbra provides mobile access and collaboration tools, which enhance productivity.

Recommended for

    Zimbra is recommended for businesses, educational institutions, and non-profit organizations that require a comprehensive email and collaboration platform. It's particularly suitable for those who need customization options and value open-source solutions. It can be an excellent fit for IT departments seeking to manage their own email infrastructure rather than relying on third-party service providers.

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.

Zimbra 3 videos + Add
CloudLinux 3 videos + Add

Modern Collaboration: Discover why Zimbra is the open source leader in Email and Collaboration

More videos

  • - Zimbra #01 introduction of Open Source Email Collaboration Solution
  • - Zimbra Review: Why The University of Pennsylvania Likes Zimbra Email?

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
Zimbra
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.

Zimbra no reviews yet
CloudLinux no reviews yet

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Alternatives to Zimbra and CloudLinux

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