19 popular web hosting control panels

Web hosting control panels are a must-have for system administrators and web hosting providers nowadays. That is why we have created a list of the most popular web hosting control panels.

Control panels make management and automation tasks easier for sysadmins. They allow, for instance, managing one or several servers from a single dashboard. So, as a smart tool to manage critical tasks such as patches, setups, installations, monitoring, etc., it must be properly chosen.

Here is a list of the most popular web hosting control panels on the market.

Plesk

Plesk stands out as the most popular commercial web hosting control panel available today, offering robust solutions for both Linux and Windows platforms. Designed to meet the needs of developers, system administrators, and hosting providers, Plesk offers flexible monthly and annual pricing plans, making it ideal for managing dedicated servers and virtual private servers (VPS).

Key Features of Plesk:

1. Full Access via SSH:
   Plesk provides complete SSH access, ensuring that developers and administrators can manage their servers with maximum flexibility and control.
2. Enhanced Security:
   Security is a top priority, with advanced tools like integrated web application firewalls (WAF), fail2ban intrusion prevention, and automatic SSL/TLS certificates from Let’s Encrypt or DigiCert.
3. Advanced Monitoring Tools:
   Plesk includes real-time monitoring of server performance, resource usage, and key metrics, helping to proactively address potential issues.
4. Extensive Extension Library:
   Plesk boasts over 100 extensions, offering integrations with leading third-party services like Cloudflare, Git, Docker, and SEO tools to enhance functionality and customization.
5. Complete WordPress Toolkit:
   A comprehensive suite for managing WordPress websites. This includes staging environments, automatic updates, cloning, and one-click security hardening, making it a go-to choice for WordPress professionals.
6. Developer-Friendly Environment:
   Plesk supports modern technologies, such as Node.js, Ruby, Python, Git, and Docker, enabling seamless development workflows.
7. Multilingual Support:
   Plesk’s intuitive interface is available in multiple languages, ensuring global usability for administrators and end-users.
8. Integrated Backup and Restore:
   Automated backup options ensure data safety, allowing users to restore their websites or servers with just a few clicks.

Additional Information:

• Developer: Plesk International GmbH.
• Latest Release: Plesk Obsidian, featuring enhanced user experience, new security tools, and performance improvements.
• License: Proprietary, ensuring top-tier support and continual updates.

Why Choose Plesk?

Plesk’s unparalleled versatility, combined with its rich feature set and comprehensive ecosystem, makes it the preferred choice for individuals and enterprises alike. Whether you’re managing a single website or an entire server, Plesk simplifies tasks, enhances security, and delivers unmatched scalability to meet modern hosting demands.

Control Web Panel (CWP)

Control Web Panel (CWP) is a powerful, community-driven web hosting panel for dedicated servers and VPS. It has different licensing options:

• A free version.
• A Pro version — with or without support.
• A special Pro version for partners.

CWP is developed for Linux operating systems and it includes features such as:

• Modern and intuitive user interface.
• Enhanced security.
• Full automation of processes.
• Server logs visualization.
• Monitoring tools.

Developer: Studio 2/4 host and Linanto LLC.

Control Web Panel license: Free software under Control Web Panel License.

ISPConfig

ISPConfig is a free, open source hosting control panel for Linux. It supports numerous Daemons and Linux distributions, such as Ubuntu, Debian and CentOS.

ISPConfig includes features such as:

• Several access levels.
• Web server management.
• DNS server management.
• Mail server management.
• Numerous managed services.

Developer: ISPConfig UG.

Latest ISPConfig release: ISPConfig 3.2.7p1.

ISPConfig license: BSD license.

Virtualmin

Virtualmin is an open source website and domain hosting control panel, based on Webmin. There are two versions of this control panel:

• Virtualmin GPL, a free, open-source version.
• Virtualmin Professional, a premium version available for a monthly or annual fee.

Virtualmin is developed for Linux and BSD systems and includes features such as:

• Advanced access control.
• Easy server logs visualization.
• Monitoring tools.
• Numerous security features.
• Comprehensive tools for managing databases.

Developer: Virtualmin, Inc.

Latest Virtualmin release: Virtualmin 6.13.

Virtualmin license: GNU General Public License.

ispmanager

ispmanager is a commercial website and web server control panel based on Linux. It offers a free 14-day trial version and several licensing options, available for a monthly or annual fee:

• Lite.
• Pro.
• Host.
• Business.

ispmanager includes features such as:

• Domain management.
• Built-in security tools.
• Support for all popular CMS.
• Backup system.
• Multiple PHP versions supported on a single server.
• Support for Docker.

Developer: ispmanager.

ipsmanager license: proprietary.

Vesta Control Panel

Vesta CP is a free, easy-to-use web hosting control panel. Its core functionalities are completely free, but Vesta also offers commercial plugins available for a monthly fee or a lifetime license. Its source code is publicly available to be downloaded and modified as desired.

Vesta Control Panel includes features such as:

• Server statistics monitoring.
• Powerful backup system.
• Linux PAM authentication mechanism.
• Built-in firewall.
• Fast web interface.

Developer: Vesta Control Panel.

Latest Vesta CP release: Vesta 0.9.8-26.

Vesta CP license: GNU General Public License v3.

DirectAdmin

DirectAdmin is an easy-to-use and powerful web hosting control panel. It is highly customizable and offers diverse licenses:

• Free 60-day trial.
• Personal.
• Lite.
• Standard.

DirectAdmin is compatible with diverse Linux distributions, such as Ubuntu, Debian and RHEL. It includes features such as:

• Complete system usage statistics.
• Several access levels.
• Automatic SSL.
• Unlimited customization abilities.
• Automatic installation and configuration of selected software packages.

Developer: JBMC Software.

Latest DirectAdmin release: DirectAdmin 1.62.9.

DirectAdmin license: proprietary.

Ajenti

Ajenti is an open source web hosting control panel, with two available options: Ajenti 1.x as a server administration panel and Ajenti 2 as a lightweight admin panel. Ajenti is developed for Linux and BSD systems and compatible with many Linux distributions.

Ajenti includes features such as:

• Responsive remote terminal.
• Fast and secure access.
• Easily extensible using Python.
• Numerous plugins available.
• Ajenti Core and Ajenti V.

Developer: Ajenti Project.

Ajenti license: MIT.

Sentora

Sentora is a free, open source web hosting control panel, based on the foundations of ZPanel. It is developed to work on a wide variety of linux distributions and targeted to small and medium ISPs.

Sentora includes features such as:

• Fully customizable control panel.
• Multi-client environment.
• Community and premium support.
• Simplified management.
• Numerous add-ons.

Developer: The Sentora Project.

Latest Sentora release: Sentora 1.0.3.

Sentora license: GNU General Public License v3.

BlueOnyx

BlueOnyx is a free, open source web hosting control panel. It is a modernized fork of BlueQuartz. It is compatible with many Linux distributions, such as RHEL, AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux.

BlueOnyx includes features such as:

• User-friendly web-based interface.
• Web, email, DNS and file transfer services.
• IPv4, IPv6 and dual-stack support.
• Reseller management.
• GDPR tools.

Developer: Solarspeed.net.

Latest BlueOnyx release: BlueOnyx 5210R.

Blueonyx license: Sun modified BSD license.

cPanel

cPanel is an intuitive web and server control panel, targeted to small and medium businesses, developers, digital agencies and hosting providers. It offers a free 15-day trial and different paying licenses:

• cPanel solo.
• Admin.
• Pro.
• Premier.

Besides, cPanel offers licenses for cloud environments and bare-metal servers. It includes features such as:

• Automation of all server management tasks.
• Control and flexibility.
• Add-ons and third-party plugins.
• Tools for designing custom databases.
• Secure backups.

Developer: cPanel, L.L.C.

Latest cPanel release: cPanel 102.

cPanel license: proprietary.

Froxlor

Froxlor is a lightweight, open source server control panel, developed by experienced server administrators. It is available for free. It includes features such as:

• Multistack.
• Simplified management.
• API based.
• Advanced SSL.
• Easy management of resellers and customers resources.

Developer: Froxlor team.

Latest Froxlor release: Froxlor 0.10.33.

Froxlor license: General Public License (GPL).

Easy Hosting Control Panel

Easy Hosting Control Panel or EHCP is a free, open source hosting control panel. It supports many Linux distributions. EHCP includes features such as:

• Easy customization.
• Web statistics.
• SSL support.
• Management of domains, FTP, emails, etc.
• Different user levels.

Developer: Easy Hosting Control Panel.

Latest EHCP release: EHCP 20.04.

EHCP license: General Public License (GPL).

Webmin

Webmin is one of the earliest web hosting control panels, developed for Linux, FreeBSD, Windows and other Unix-like OS. It is a system configuration tool that can be used on any web browser. Webmin includes features such as:

• Numerous built-in functions using modules.
• Powerful and flexible.
• SSH keys support.
• Third-party modules.
• Support for a wide list of systems.

Developer: Jamie Cameron and Webmin community.

Latest Webmin release: Webmin 1.984.

Webmin license: BSD license.

ApisCP

ApisCP is an open source web hosting control panel. It offers a free 30-day trial version and diverse licenses available for a monthly or annual fee:

• Pro.
• Startup.
• Mini.

Apis control panel includes features such as:

• Performance and security-focused.
• Integrated monitoring.
• Automation.
• Intelligent updates.
• Quick installation.

Developer: Apis Networks, Inc. 

Latest ApisCP release: ApisCP 3.2.

ApisCP license: proprietary.

aaPanel

aaPanel is a free, open source hosting control panel. It offers a free license and a paying professional license, on a monthly or annual subscription. Besides, it has diverse plugins available for a monthly fee and it includes features such as:

• Module-based.
• Fast deployment.
• Real-time monitoring.
• Numerous security features.
• One-click function.

Developer: aaPanel.

Latest aaPanel release: aaPanel 6.8.21.

Zesle Control Panel

Zesle Control Panel or ZesleCP is a lightweight, easy-to-use web hosting control panel. It offers diverse pricing plans, available for a monthly, annual and lifetime fee:

• Solo.
• Personal.
• Pro.
• Business. 

ZesleCP includes features such as:

• API support.
• Multi-accounts.
• One-click apps.
• SSH keys management.
• Easy Firewall Manager interface.

Developer: Zesle Software Inc.

Latest ZesleCP release: ZesleCP v3.1.11.

Zesle Control Panel license: proprietary.

Kloxo

Kloxo is a free and open-source web hosting control panel designed for Linux servers. It offers a functional solution for small installations on virtual machines and standalone hardware.

Key Features of Kloxo:

• Operating System Compatibility: Rocky Linux and AlmaLinux (versions 8 and 9) and other RHEL derivatives.
• Supported Web Servers: Nginx, Lighttpd, Hiawatha, Apache (Httpd 24), and dual or multiple web server setups.
• Web Cache Server: Varnish.
• PHP Management: Supports multiple PHP versions (5.6, 7.4, and all PHP 8 versions).
• Mail Servers: Qmail-toaster (based on Qmail 1.06) and Dovecot for IMAP/POP3.
• Database Management: MariaDB, with tools like PHPMyAdmin (upcoming options include Adminer, MyWebSQL, and SqlBuddy).
• Webmail Clients: Afterlogic Webmail Lite, Roundcube, and Rainloop.
• FTP Server: Pure-ftpd.
• DNS Server: Bind (testing compatibility with others like PowerDNS, MaraDNS, and Yadifa).
• Free SSL Certificates: Let’s Encrypt and StartAPI.
• Additional Security Modules: ClamAV, SpamAssassin, RKHunter, and MalDetect.
• Updates and Fixes: Includes bug fixes and security improvements from earlier Kloxo versions.

Additional Information:

• Developer: Kloxo Next Generation Team.
• Latest Version: Kloxo 8.
• License: Affero General Public License v3 (AGPLv3).

Kloxo is a versatile and user-friendly tool, ideal for managing Linux servers in small to medium-sized setups.

CyberPanel

CyberPanel is a free, open source web hosting control panel for OpenLiteSpeed. 

CyberPanel includes features such as:

• Management of unlimited websites.
• Active community support.
• One-click SSL.
• Command-line interface.
• Free cache plugins included.

Developer: CyberPanel team.

Latest CyberPanel release: CyberPanel 2.1.2 Stable.

CyberPanel license: General Public License v3.