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Cloud · head to head

Cilium vs SysCloud

Cilium logo

Cilium

Cloud

eBPF-based networking, observability and security for Kubernetes

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
SysCloud logo

SysCloud

Backup

Backup and security for Google Workspace and Microsoft 365

From
$4/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Cilium has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Cilium requires a recent Linux kernel, which rules out older distributions and some managed environments; SysCloud does not backup all Google Workspace data, such as Google Chat information
  • They diverge on capability: Cilium covers eBPF datapath, SysCloud covers Automated backup.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Cilium and SysCloud actually diverge.

Attributes where Cilium and SysCloud differ
AttributeCiliumSysCloud
Starting priceFree$4/month
Pricing modelOpen source, no licence feeUnknown
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsKubernetes, LinuxWeb, Cloud
CategoryCloudBackup
FoundedUnknown2013

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Cilium

  • eBPF datapath
  • Identity-based policy
  • Hubble observability
  • Sidecar-free mesh

Only in SysCloud

  • Automated backup
  • Ransomware protection
  • Cross-user restore
  • Data migration
  • DLP
  • Compliance archiving
  • Google Workspace
  • Microsoft 365

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Cilium

  • Kubernetes networking at a scale where iptables-based CNI performance degradesnot SysCloud
  • Network policy expressed on workload identity rather than fragile IP rulesnot SysCloud
  • Seeing which services actually talk to each other, and what policy is droppingnot SysCloud

SysCloud

  • Data protectionnot Cilium
  • Disaster recoverynot Cilium
  • Business continuitynot Cilium
  • Ransomware protectionnot Cilium
  • Compliancenot Cilium

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Cilium

  • Requires a recent Linux kernel, which rules out older distributions and some managed environments
  • eBPF is genuinely hard to debug when it misbehaves, and the skill is rare on most teams
  • Broad scope — CNI, policy, mesh, observability — means the learning curve covers several domains at once

SysCloud

  • Does not backup all Google Workspace data, such as Google Chat information
  • Can be slow with live data and large datasets
  • Difficult user interface for non-technical users
  • Limited backup frequency and capped storage on some plans

Pricing, plan by plan

Cilium

Free
  • CiliumFree
    • Full functionality
    • No usage limits
    • Community support

SysCloud

$4/month
  • Custom Plans$4/month per user
    • Starts at $4 per user per month
    • Discounts for yearly plans
    • Bulk purchase discounts

Which should you pick?

Choose Cilium if

  • You need ebpf datapath.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Kubernetes, Linux.
  • You also want identity-based policy.
Cilium review

Choose SysCloud if

  • You need automated backup.
  • You work on Web, Cloud.
  • You also want ransomware protection.
SysCloud review

Questions people ask

Is Cilium or SysCloud better?
Neither clearly leads. Cilium starts at Free and SysCloud at $4/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Cilium or SysCloud?
Cilium has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Cilium and $4/month for SysCloud.
Does Cilium or SysCloud run on more platforms?
Cilium runs on Kubernetes, Linux. SysCloud runs on Web, Cloud.
Can I use Cilium for free?
Yes. Cilium has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. SysCloud starts at $4/month.
What is Cilium best used for?
Cilium is most often used for kubernetes networking at a scale where iptables-based cni performance degrades, network policy expressed on workload identity rather than fragile ip rules, seeing which services actually talk to each other, and what policy is dropping. Of those, kubernetes networking at a scale where iptables-based cni performance degrades and network policy expressed on workload identity rather than fragile ip rules are not what SysCloud is typically brought in for.
What can Cilium do that SysCloud cannot?
Cilium covers eBPF datapath, Identity-based policy, Hubble observability, Sidecar-free mesh. SysCloud covers Automated backup, Ransomware protection, Cross-user restore, Data migration.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Cilium: Is Cilium free?

Yes, open source and CNCF-graduated. Isovalent sells an enterprise distribution and support.

SysCloud: What applications does SysCloud backup?

SysCloud backs up Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Google Classroom, Slack, HubSpot, QuickBooks Online, Salesforce, Box, and Xero with automated daily backups.

Source
Cilium: What does eBPF change?

It lets Cilium run packet-processing programs inside the kernel instead of relying on iptables rule chains, which behave poorly as the number of services grows.

SysCloud: Does SysCloud have a free trial?

Yes, SysCloud offers a 30-day free trial to evaluate the platform before committing to a paid plan.

Source
Cilium: Does Cilium replace a service mesh?

It can cover much of what a mesh does without sidecars, though full mesh feature sets still favour Istio or Linkerd.

SysCloud: What is SysCloud's uptime guarantee?

SysCloud operates on AWS infrastructure with 99.99% availability, running backups 365 days per year.

Source
SysCloud: How does SysCloud detect ransomware?

SysCloud can identify files encrypted by ransomware and restore a safe version, helping protect against data loss from ransomware attacks.

Source
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