Web hosting control panels play a crucial role in website management by providing tools to manage various aspects like email, databases, and security. Many individuals would choose solutions like cPanel or DirectAdmin, but what if you could have the ease and protection of a costly paid service like cPanel without spending any money? Open-source hosting control panels offer free and often reliable alternatives to subscription-based options.
However, the abundance of choices can make selecting the right one challenging. This guide aims to help you identify the best open-source web hosting control panels and understand their features, enabling you to make an informed decision that suits your specific requirements.
Our Top 5 Open Source Hosting Control Panels
1. HestiaCP
HestiaCP is a modified version of VestaCP that has rapidly become a very popular hosting control panel because it offers improved security measures and has a dedicated community supporting it.
Pros
- Supports Apache and Nginx.
- Supports Let's Encrypt for free SSL certificates.
- Softaculous auto-installer for popular web applications.
- Responsive interface for mobile devices.
Cons
- Some users report occasional bugs and glitches.
- Migration from VestaCP can be tricky.
- Limited official documentation, though the community is active.
Why should you pick HestiaCP?
HestiaCP is a great choice for individuals who value security and community involvement. It offers a robust solution suitable for both beginners and experienced users.
2. CyberPanel
CyberPanel is a contemporary, open-source web hosting control panel that utilizes OpenLiteSpeed, providing an alternative to Apache or Nginx servers. It offers one-click installations of popular applications like WordPress and Joomla, and it also has built-in support for Docker.
Features:
- LiteSpeed Web Server
- Built-in support for Git
- Automated SSL certificates via Let’s Encrypt
- Staging environment for websites
- Docker Manager for containerized applications
- Email management tools
Why should you pick CyberPanel?
CyberPanel is a great choice due to its speed optimization capabilities with LiteSpeed. It's also beneficial for users who require a visual interface for managing Docker applications.
3. Cloudpanel
CloudPanel is a free open source hosting control panel that allows you to effectively manage your servers. It is designed using lightweight components like NGINX, PHP-FPM, and MySQL, ensuring maximum performance. CloudPanel is user-friendly and can be set up in just 60 seconds.
Pros
- Free (No contract or hidden costs)
- Easy-to-use interface
- Up and running within 60 seconds
- Maximum performance & security
- Advanced cloud functionalities
- Supports Multiple PHP Versions & all PHP Apps
- Specific PHP configuration for each domain
- NGINX Support
- Free SSL Certificates
- No restrictions
- Supports > 10 languages
Cons
- No File Manager
Why should you pick Cloudpanel?
If you're searching for a cloud-optimized solution that's easy to set up, CloudPanel is the perfect choice. It's ideal for developers and businesses that mainly operate in cloud-based environments.
4. Floxlor
Froxlor was created by a group of server administrators to make hosting server management easier. It is a lightweight hosting control panel alternative to cPanel, offering users similar administrative functions for free. Froxlor also includes customer management capabilities, similar to cPanel's WHM. The software can run on any Linux version, has a user-friendly customizable interface, and delivers fast performance. Its features include SQL database management, PHP configuration, and SSL security. Froxlor is recommended for domain resellers, and its ticketing system makes it a suitable choice for web developers as well.
Pros
- Free for personal as well as commercial use (GPL licensed)
- User-friendly, themeable interface
- Specific PHP configuration for each domain
- Customer ticket system integrated into the interface.
Cons
- Difficult to install and setup
- No file manager
- Only works on Debian servers
- Bugs take longer to resolve
Why should you pick Floxlor?
This is a straightforward and accessible choice that doesn't compromise on important features. It's well-suited for enthusiasts, personal endeavors, and small organizations that don't need complex capabilities.
5. Virtualmin/Webmin
Virtualmin is an open-source hosting control panel that has a free version available under a public license. It is written in Perl and supports the latest internet protocol, IPv6, similar to cPanel. Virtualmin offers a flexible and centralized management platform for domain accounts, DNS, databases, and web applications. It provides efficient email features like forwarders and autoresponders, and also allows for direct backup to Amazon S3, unlike cPanel. Virtualmin also includes security features like antivirus scanning, backup encryption, and brute force protection. While Virtualmin has a well-designed interface, it may not be the best choice for beginners.
Pros
- Supports Apache and Nginx.
- Comprehensive email management.
- Easy automatic backups and updates.
- Supports Let's Encrypt for free SSL certificates.
- Modular design allows for easy expansion and customization.
- Active community and regular updates.
Cons
- Very ugly, and looks like it was designed by a software engineer for sure. But to some people that may be an appealing vibe.
- Can be overwhelming for beginners due to its extensive features.
- Some configurations might require manual intervention in SSH.
- Not as intuitive as some other modern control panels.
Why should you pick Virtualmin?
Virtualmin provides a comprehensive solution that combines system administration and web hosting management. It's an excellent choice for those who want a powerful and customizable system. Virtualmin is suitable for both small businesses and larger organizations, offering the necessary tools and scalability to address your hosting requirements
Wrapping up
Discovering a suitable open-source hosting control panels alternative to cPanel is straightforward. There are many options available with excellent capabilities. In this article, we discussed the key features of the top free control panels. Each of the panels mentioned has its distinct characteristics. Ultimately, the best panel is the one that meets your needs. Nevertheless, these free cPanel alternatives share a common trait: they simplify and expedite server management.