cPanel has been a very popular hosting control panel for years. With WHM 11, cPanel is getting a major update and will serve as a long-term platform going forward.
cPanel has gained a lot of popularity over the years as it is easy to use and configure, but now that cPanel 11 is here, how do you know if you should stick with what you have or try something else? There are many web hosting control panels out there, from Plesk to DirectAdmin to Zpanel, to name a few. In this article, we are going to review some of the top cPanel alternatives on the market today.
1. Plesk
The first cPanel alternative we are going to mention is Plesk. Plesk is a good web hosting control panel that is appealing to the average user, but it might be too complicated or bloated if you look for something more straightforward and lightweight. Plesk also has the major drawback of being rather expensive for new customers.
However, Plesk has great features, such as automated server management, billing options, reseller services, virtualization support, and cross-platform integration.
In terms of pricing, typically, you will see three different plans from Plesk – Personal ($15/month), Pro ($25/month), and Unlimited ($45/month).
Pros:
- Reasonably priced for new customers.
- Good for resellers and virtualization.
- It has great automation options such as backup, migration, and restore servers with a single click.
Cons:
- Expensive compared to other control panels (especially Plesk Pro and Plesk Unlimited).
- Not very lightweight (can be too bloated for some users).
- Difficult to configure if you are not familiar with Linux or command-line interfaces (CLI).
2. DirectAdmin
DirectAdmin is another cPanel alternative that you should consider if you are looking for a minimalistic web hosting control panel solution.
DirectAdmin has many features similar to Plesk, but it’s not as complicated or bloated, so set-up, configuration, and daily use are quite straightforward. Like Plesk, DirectAdmin is an affordable option starting at just $5 per month for the basic plan.
Additionally, there are multiple pre-configured ISO images available if you want to quickly install an operating system with DirectAdmin pre-installed without spending too much time setting everything up one by one manually.
The only downside of DirectAdmin might be its limited documentation which means you might need to spend more time searching online forums and community websites such as Webhostingtalk to get your questions answered.
Pros:
- Very lightweight and straightforward to use.
- Many pre-configured ISO images (Kiwi, CentOS, Debian, Ubuntu, etc.) available for quick installation.
- Reasonably priced starting at $5/month (with a 2 week trial period available).
Cons:
- No free support. Technical support is only offered on paid plans ($5-20/month).
- Limited documentation is available online.
3. InterWorx
InterWorx is another cPanel alternative that you might want to consider. You want a web hosting control panel with built-in support for multiple billing models such as per-minute billing and pay-as-you-go billing. InterWorx supports unlimited addon domains and MySQL databases, making it an attractive choice if you want to use one platform to host multiple sites.
Another standout feature of InterWorx is its ability to install additional software packages using the Softaculous Package Manager quickly. One downside to keep in mind when considering InterWorx is that it does not support Windows or come with a free trial.
Pros:
- Supports a wide range of billing models such as pay-as-you-go and per-minute billing.
- It has a package manager that allows you to install many common software packages with a single click (Softaculous).
- Unlimited addon domains and MySQL databases are available.
Cons:
- It does not support Windows-based servers, nor does it offer a free trial.
- Not very affordable for just starting. The cheapest plan costs $12/month (and you get charged $1/minute).
4. Zpanel
Zpanel is another great cPanel alternative that previously went under the name of Zoiper but then rebranded itself to Zpanel after being bought out by Jelastic back in 2013. Compared to other alternatives mentioned above, Zpanel has a very attractive licensing model starting at just $19 per month for an Unlimited License that includes all features and unlimited addon domains/subdomains/FTP accounts/parked domains/MySQL databases.
A developer license is also available for advanced users who want more functionality and flexibility. It can be used to install Zpanel on a VPS and pay only $3 per month for it. Additionally, you can also opt to pay $35 and get access to the control panel’s source code and support from Jelastic. If you want an affordable cPanel alternative that is feature-rich, then check out Cpaneldev.
Pros:
- Very affordable licensing model starting at $19/month for an Unlimited License.
- It comes with a source code which you can pay $35 to get access to.
- Has built-in support for CloudLinux, which makes it a great option if you want to use cPanel in a VPS/Dedicated server.
Cons:
- It does not support Windows or any other operating system except Linux.
- Lacks some of the latest features compared to other control panels.
5. Spanel
Spanel is a cPanel free alternative that can be used to install and host multiple websites. However, it is not open source like DirectAdmin, InterWorx or Zpanel mentioned above and cost $24 per month for the pro plan, which supports up to 500 addon domains.
The good news is that Spanel comes with a free trial, so you can test it out for yourself before making a long-term commitment. Also, Spanel is an ideal choice if you want a web hosting control panel solution with modern billing and support for the latest versions of PHP.
Pros:
- Free trial available so you can test the service before committing to it.
- It supports modern billing methods such as time-based plans and per-user plans.
- Can install most popular software packages with a single click (Softaculous).
- Supports multiple web languages including PHP 5, Python, Perl, Ruby on Rails, CGI, mod_`php.
Cons:
- It does not support Windows servers, nor does it come with a free license. The cheapest plan costs $24 per month.
- Lacks some of the latest available features in competitors, such as CloudLinux 7 and LVE Manager.
6. ISPmanager Lite
ISPmanager Lite is another great cPanel alternative that can be used to manage both Windows and Linux servers. It also supports multiple operating systems such as CentOS, Debian, Fedora, FreeBSD, RedHat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), and Ubuntu.
Similar to DirectAdmin, ISPManager has pre-configured ISO images available so you can quickly install an OS without spending too much time setting everything up one by one manually. Also, because it’s part of the ISPmanager Server Suite, you get unlimited addon domains/subdomains/parked domains along with access to other additional features not found in cPanel, such as a built-in firewall and the ability to add multiple IP addresses.
Pros:
- Designed with ease of use in mind and can be installed on low spec machines.
- Supports both Windows and Linux servers.
- Offers automated backups (MySQL, PostgreSQL, email messages) for peace of mind.
- It can be used to install most popular software packages such as WordPress, Joomla through a single click (Softaculous).
- Supports unlimited addon domains/subdomains/parked domains.
Cons:
- It does not come with a free license and costs $67 for an Unlimited License that supports unlimited addon domains/subdomains/parked domains and all ISPmanager Lite features.
7. Cloudways
Cloudways is a pay-as-you-go cloud hosting platform that allows you to quickly deploy VPS servers using DigitalOcean, Vultr, Amazon, Google Cloud Platform, along with other providers.
What makes Cloudways stand out from the competition is its built-in caching features designed to help improve your server’s performance by up to two times. In addition, Cloudways is an ideal choice if you want a cPanel alternative that supports PHP 7 and MariaDB 10 and multiple languages such as Ruby on Rails, Python, Perl, and NodeJS.
Pros:
- You can quickly deploy VPS servers using DigitalOcean, Vultr, Amazon, and Google cloud platform, among other providers, to host your website or application.
- It supports multiple languages, including PHP 7, MariaDB 10 and JavaScript, Ruby on Rails, Python, Perl, and NodeJS, useful for developers who need to run certain applications or scripts.
- It has built-in caching features that help improve the performance of your websites by up to two times.
Cons:
- Does not come with a free license, and you’ll need to pay $10 per month for each DigitalOcean Droplet.
8. Webuzo
Webuzo has been around since 2008 and can be deployed in under 60 seconds on physical servers, virtual machines, clouds, or containers.
What’s more, the platform comes with built-in caching features that work hand in hand with low memory requirements (128MB) to help improve the performance of your websites by up to five times. With features like cloned VPS environments, server load balancing, and free SSL certificate included in the price, Webuzo is one of the most affordable cPanel alternatives open source out there.
This free control panel like cPanel comes with full root access, SSH support, free automated backups, and unlimited addon domains. It has the major advantage of being one of the few alternatives that don’t lock you into a single service provider.
Pros:
- It comes with built-in caching features that help improve website performance by up to five times.
- Supports both Windows and Linux operating systems, including CentOS, Ubuntu, Fedora, among others.
- You can deploy it on KVM/LXD containers, DigitalOcean droplets, or dedicated servers for faster set-up.
- Offers paid SSL certificates at competitive prices starting from $13.
Cons
- Does not come with Softaculous, which means you’ll need to install popular software packages using the command-line interface.
- Does not offer free DNS hosting.
- Does not feature a file manager to help you manage your website files.
9. Froxlor
Froxlor is a relatively new open-source hosting control panel that offers full root access and features such as server load balancing, block storage, clustering, and container support.
The platform also comes with cloned VPS environments that you can use to create multiple servers in seconds. What’s more, it supports both CentOS/RHEL and Ubuntu operating systems out of the box and comes with shared SSL certificates available at $9 per month only.
Pros:
- Offers free SSL certificates available at $9 per month only.
- Comes with a free trial option that you can use to test its capabilities before making a decision.
- Supports both Windows and Linux operating systems, including CentOS/RHEL 7.
Cons:
- Does not offer unlimited addon domains and FTP accounts.
- Requires at least 512MB of RAM for shared hosting plans, which is insufficient, especially when running multiple servers on a single droplet or instance. Moreover, this requirement makes it unsuitable for low-budget DigitalOcean droplets.
10. Ovipanel
Ovipanel is a web hosting company with over 12 years of experience in the industry. It shows through its excellent user interface, low prices, and managed VPS hosting services that are suitable if you’re looking for an alternative cPanel.
The platform has every feature you’d expect from a web host, including unlimited addon domains/subdomains, instant server deployments, and 24/7 support included in the price of its plans. This cPanel similar platform also offers an average of $100 in savings on its VPS hosting plans compared to similar services, so if you’re looking for economy web hosting services, Ovipanel is one of your best options.
Pros:
- It comes with built-in caching features that help improve website performance by up to five times.
- You get access to the Softaculous auto-installer tool, free SSL certificate, and unlimited addon domains/subdomains/parked domains.
- Supports both Windows and Linux operating systems, including CentOS, Ubuntu, Fedora, among others.
- You can deploy it on KVM/LXD containers or dedicated servers for faster set-up.
Cons:
- Price starts at $5 per month for shared web hosting plans, but this only includes a maximum of 3 websites which is very little.
- You get a free SSL certificate only if you upgrade to VPS hosting plans.
- Does not come with Softaculous, which means you’ll need to install popular software packages using the command-line interface.
- Does not offer free DNS hosting.
11. Ispconfig
Ispconfig is a popular web hosting control panel loved by many for its simple-to-use interface and advanced capabilities. The platform supports both CentOS/RHEL and Ubuntu operating systems out of the box. It features a user-friendly interface from where you can perform everything from website/domain management, email, DNS configuration, backup management, and FTP access with ease.
Pros:
- Offers free SSL certificates available at $9 per month only.
- Comes with a free trial option that you can use to test its capabilities before making a decision.
- Supports both Windows and Linux operating systems, including CentOS/RHEL 7.
Cons:
- Does not offer unlimited addon domains and FTP accounts.
12. Cyberpanel
Cyberpanel is a UK-based web host that offers cPanel alternative hosting options for those looking to switch from shared web hosting to a more robust and reliable platform. The company features a wide range of affordable virtual private server (VPS) hosting plans to fit your budget.
Pros:
- It comes with a Softaculous auto-installer tool which makes it easier to install popular open-source applications.
- You get access to a free SSL certificate, site cloning feature, 1 click installer tools, and unlimited addon domains/subdomains.
- It offers instant account setup, so you don’t need to wait before activating your VPS server.
Cons:
- Does not allow you to upgrade or downgrade your VPS hosting plan at any given time.
- Does not offer unlimited monthly data transfer.
13. Vestacp
Vestacp.com is a web hosting company that uses cPanel to host websites for its customers. The platform was created by developers who wanted to create the best and most efficient cPanel alternative, making it one of the most reliable backend alternatives available today. Vestacp features shell access and SFTP support, so you can easily log in and manage your servers via SSH daily.
Pros:
- It comes with a free SSL certificate and site cloning features.
- You get access to a command-line interface that makes installing and managing third-party applications on the platform easier.
- Offers unlimited addon domains/subdomains/parked domains.
- You can host your website on both Linux and Windows servers, so you have more options when choosing an operating system for your website.
Cons:
- Does not offer automated backups as standard on all plans, although this is available as an upgrade.
- Does not come with the Softaculous auto-installer feature found in most cPanel alternatives which automatically installs popular open-source software such as WordPress or Drupal without needing to use the command-line interface.
14. Aapanel
Aapanel is an extremely cost-effective platform to host your websites with a cPanel alternative backend. This feature makes it one of the most reliable and affordable web hosting companies available today, especially for those looking to set up their first website on a tight budget. The company hosts both Windows and Linux servers for customers who require different operating systems.
Pros:
- It offers an intuitive control panel interface that’s designed to be user-friendly and easy to use.
- You get access to unlimited addon domains/subdomains/parked domains.
- This company allows you to host your website on both Windows and Linux servers, which is ideal for managing several websites with different operating systems.
- Comes with a free SSL certificate, site cloning feature, and 1 click installer tools for WordPress or Joomla.
Cons:
- Does not offer shell access or SFTP support which means that you cannot get full control over your web servers, although this is available as an upgrade.
- Does not offer automated backups as standard on all plans, although this is available as an upgrade.
- Does not come with the Softaculous auto-installer feature found in most cPanel alternatives which automatically installs popular open-source software such as WordPress or Drupal without needing to use the command-line interface.
Conclusion
cPanel is an excellent management tool that comes with all the major hosting providers, but it’s always worth to take a look at the alternatives and features they offer.
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