Choosing the right web hosting control panel
When I started my journey as a webmaster, I used a shared (sometimes free) hosting service that came with a basic version of cPanel as the control panel. It let me run my phpBB-powered forum with ease, but I soon outgrew the service.
When I realized shared hosting was no longer working for me, I looked into renting a VPS (virtual private server). I had to learn how to install a control panel and some basic Linux commands. Choosing a great control panel from the beginning would have saved me a lot of time, and especially money.
In this guide, I will cover:
- What a web hosting control panel is
- Whether you need a web hosting control panel
- What to look for in a web hosting control panel
- The best web hosting control panels
For simplicity, and because most websites run on Linux-based servers, this guide only covers Linux servers. Sorry, Windows users. I would also like to point out that I have not been paid by any of these services. All of these recommendations are my own choices.
What is a web hosting control panel?
A web hosting control panel is GUI (graphical user interface) software that makes tasks on a server simpler. You can easily handle operations like setting up domains and mail servers, configuring PHP versions, and changing DNS settings without using the terminal each time. For most server admins, this is extremely helpful.
How to choose a web hosting control panel
Just about every control panel offers the same basic features, and a few offer extras like a built-in mail server. The most important factor when choosing a web hosting control panel is support. Is the panel you're choosing supported and consistently updated? No? Then pick a different panel. Security is extremely important when it comes to managing your web server, and you don't want to install software that is riddled with exploits.
When you find a control panel, first check how recently the software was updated. A good next step is to see whether it has a community forum and browse around to see how active the members are. Those two checks alone are great signs of active (or inactive) developers.
What are the best web hosting control panels?
Every top 5, 10, 15, or even 20 list claims to show "the best web hosting control panels". That isn't really true, because there is no single best. You could say the best is any panel that is well supported, but not every panel is one-size-fits-all. There is no reason to pay for a monthly subscription if you only have one small website with minimal traffic.
With that said, here is my list of the best-supported and most feature-rich control panels on the market.
Plesk (paid)
By far the most powerful server control panel on the market today. It's clean, minimal, and packed with features. Plesk is simple to install and very user-friendly. One of my favorite things about Plesk is how simple its marketplace is and how accessible its core functions are: everything you need is always right in front of you. Plesk costs less than cPanel and performs just as well, if not better.
Check out their website: www.plesk.com
cPanel (paid)
A close second is our old friend cPanel. This control panel has been around for a long time and offers a substantial set of features along with a simple, sleek user interface. cPanel is easy to install, with a single command as the installer. Not long ago, cPanel raised its prices, which can be a deal-breaker for some people. I was one of them: pinching pennies where I could, I made the switch. One of my favorite cPanel features is how simple its integrated mail server is.
cPanel has two parts: cPanel, which manages the website, and WHM, which manages the server, including all of the accounts.
Check out their website: www.cpanel.net
DirectAdmin (paid)
Since 2003, DirectAdmin has been consistently adding new features, and it has quickly become a contender against Plesk and cPanel. DirectAdmin offers all the bells and whistles that Plesk and cPanel offer, and its pricing is lower than both. However, if you are running a VPS, Plesk's monthly plan for unlimited domains is cheaper than DirectAdmin's. On the other hand, at the time of writing, the monthly price for 10 domains was only $2 on DirectAdmin compared to $11 on Plesk. Something to keep in mind. A favorite feature of mine is its new dark theme.
Check out their website: www.directadmin.com
Virtualmin/Webmin (free)
These are two different panels. Think of Virtualmin as WHM and Webmin as cPanel. The difference is that Virtualmin and Webmin are open source, whereas cPanel is not. If you are running a single website, you only need Webmin; Virtualmin gives you more control on the server side. Virtualmin and Webmin can be a little tricky to install for new webmasters. These panels also have a small footprint, which means that if you need more features, you will likely need to install them yourself. I highly recommend installing both and learning how they work. There is a huge amount of support material for both panels.
Check out their website: www.virtualmin.com
HestiaCP (free)
By far the simplest and easiest-to-use control panel you will find. HestiaCP takes only moments to install and get a website running, and the GUI is simple and easy to understand. HestiaCP is a fork of VestaCP (which I would consider end-of-life). Support is good and available through their forums, and updates are consistent.
Check out their website: www.hestiacp.com
Centmin Mod (free)
I've never seen Centmin Mod on any top 10 list, but it's a hidden gem among control panels. I said earlier that a web hosting control panel has a GUI, but not all of them do: Centmin Mod has a shell-based, menu-driven interface that you use in the terminal. It's extremely easy to set up and has great support through its forum. I highly recommend giving Centmin Mod a try. I found I learned more about Linux commands with Centmin Mod than I would have with a GUI control panel alone.
Check out their website: www.centminmod.com
aaPanel (free)
The closest you will get to a paid control panel without the cost. aaPanel offers many features, a simple install, one-click add-ons, and a minimal UI. It has all the basics and more. What I love most about aaPanel is that you can choose only the functions you need and get rid of bloat. They also have a mobile app. Gold star for aaPanel!
Check out their website: www.aapanel.com
Honorable mentions
Here are a few control panels that didn't quite make the list but are still solid software worth checking out:
