CloudLinux vs cPanel: What are the differences?

Introduction

CloudLinux and cPanel are two popular technologies used in web hosting. While they are often used together, they serve different purposes and have distinct features. In this Markdown document, we will outline the key differences between CloudLinux and cPanel.

1. Operating System vs Control Panel: The primary difference between CloudLinux and cPanel lies in their functions. CloudLinux is an operating system designed specifically for web hosting servers, providing enhanced stability, security, and efficiency. On the other hand, cPanel is a web hosting control panel that allows users to manage their websites, domains, email accounts, and various other aspects of their web hosting environment.

2. Isolation vs Management: CloudLinux focuses on isolating tenant accounts in a shared hosting environment to prevent one website from affecting others. It uses Lightweight Virtual Environment (LVE) technology to allocate dedicated resources to each account, ensuring fair and efficient resource usage. In contrast, cPanel is primarily centered around the management and administration of web hosting accounts, offering a user-friendly interface for website owners and server administrators.

3. Resource Allocation vs User Interface: CloudLinux provides resource allocation capabilities, allowing server administrators to assign specific resource limits to individual accounts or user groups. This ensures that one website's resource consumption cannot negatively impact other websites on the same server. On the other hand, cPanel excels in its user-friendly interface, offering an intuitive control panel with robust features and tools that simplify website management tasks for end users.

4. Kernel Patching vs Application-based: CloudLinux includes its own KernelCare technology, which provides automated kernel patching without requiring server reboots. This ensures that web hosting servers stay up-to-date with the latest security and stability fixes. In contrast, cPanel is an application-based tool that installs on top of the operating system and integrates with various web hosting software, such as Apache, PHP, MySQL, etc., to facilitate website management and administration.

5. Pricing Model: CloudLinux follows a licensing model based on the number of cores in a server, meaning the cost increases with the server's capacity. On the other hand, cPanel offers a tiered pricing model, where the cost depends on the number of accounts hosted on the server. This allows hosting providers to choose a pricing plan that aligns with their specific needs and scale their operations accordingly.

In summary, CloudLinux is an operating system focused on isolating and efficiently allocating resources in a shared hosting environment, while cPanel is a user-friendly control panel that facilitates website management and administration. CloudLinux ensures stability and security, while cPanel offers an intuitive interface for end users and server administrators. Their different functions make them complementary technologies often used together in web hosting.