Best VPS Control Panel Options for 2024
Managing a virtual private server would be daunting without VPS control panels. These control panels provide a graphical user interface (GUI) that allows you to perform various server management tasks, such as creating and managing websites, configuring databases, managing email accounts, and monitoring server resources, without extensive command-line knowledge.
But what are the best control panels in the market for 2024? Which is best for you?
After choosing a VPS hosting provider for your website, choosing a VPS control panel is the most important decision. In this article, we explore the top 20 VPS control panel options for 2024. These control panels have been compiled and ranked based on the following:
- Ease of use
- Features and functionalities
- Security
- Scalability
- Support and documentation
- Compatibility
We extensively looked at the strengths and weaknesses of each panel, to help you find the perfect fit for your technical expertise and hosting needs. Without further ado, let’s dive right in!
While there are numerous VPS control panel options available, a handful stand out for their robust feature sets, intuitive interfaces, and widespread industry adoption. The first of these is:
cPanel
Like hPanel, cPanel is more than just a pretty face (graphical user interface), it’s a powerful web hosting control panel that simplifies website management. However, it’s limited to just the Linux OS, so to use it, you need to know some essential Linux commands. While its Linux focus might pose a hurdle for some, it’s important to remember that many hosting providers offer Linux-based plans specifically optimized for cPanel.
Key Features
- Website Management: cPanel empowers you to manage all your websites from one central location. Create new websites, set up domains and subdomains, and effortlessly manage your website files with the built-in file manager.
- Database Management: Building a dynamic website? cPanel makes database management a breeze. Easily create and manage MySQL and PostgreSQL databases, the powerhouses behind many web applications and content management systems.
- Security and Backups: cPanel offers various security features, such as SSL/TLS certificate management, IP denial, and hotlink protection. For added reassurance, cPanel offers easy-to-use backup and restore functionalities, ensuring your website remains protected in case of unforeseen events.
Pricing
cPanel’s pricing ranges from $17.49 to $60.99 per month depending on the account tier you choose.
Plesk
Plesk joins the ranks of industry leaders like cPanel and hPanel, offering a comprehensive toolkit for managing your VPS. Plesk packs a punch with a wide range of features designed to simplify website management, server administration, and security. Plesk has a steeper learning curve compared to other options, but this translates to ultimate granular control for those willing to invest time in mastering it.
Key Features
- Fortress-like Security: Plesk prioritizes your website’s safety, with built-in firewalls, malware scanning, and intrusion detection constantly monitoring your server and actively safeguarding it from potential threats.
- Multi-Platform Support: Plesk isn’t picky about your operating system. Whether you’re using Windows or Linux, Plesk seamlessly integrates, providing a familiar and powerful control panel experience.
- DNS Management: DNS(Domain Name System) records often feel like a technical maze, but with Plesk, you can manage DNS records and control how your domain name translates into the server’s IP address.
- Email Management: Plesk streamlines email management as well. It lets you set up email accounts for your domain, configure settings like forwarding and autoresponders, and manage everything from a central location.
Pricing
Plesk’s pricing ranges from $14.13 to $37.13 per month depending on the account tier you choose.
Webmin
Webmin is a veteran in the VPS control panel world, offering a unique approach to server administration. Unlike the graphical interfaces of the above-mentioned tools, Webmin takes a modular approach with web-based modules for managing various server aspects. It’s a fairly complex control panel, more suitable for experienced server administrators than beginners.
Key Features
- Cluster Management: You can easily monitor and manage multiple servers from a single Webmin interface, configure server clustering and load balancing, and perform actions across multiple servers simultaneously.
- Granular Control: Webmin’s modular design offers a high degree of control over specific server functions. Experienced users can customize their experience by installing only the modules they need.
- Lightweight: Like hPanel, Webmin has a small overall footprint, making it suitable for servers with limited resources.
Pricing
Webmin is an open-source software project, so it’s freely available for anyone to use, modify, and distribute.
Hestia Control Panel
Like Webmin, HestiaCP is another open-source control panel you should consider using in 2024. With its user-friendly interface, HestiaCP can be a good starting point for those new to website management and VPS hosting. HestiaCP prioritizes security and has a smaller footprint than most other control panels, but it has a more limited feature set.
Key Features
- Extendability: HestiaCP is highly extendable, so you can use its pre-built themes to customize the control panel’s interface for a more personal touch or build your theme if you want.
- SSL/TLS Certificates: Easily install and manage SSL/TLS certificates (like Let’s Encrypt certificates) to encrypt website traffic and ensure secure connections for your visitors.
- Domain Management Tools: It lets you manage your domain names, add subdomains to organize your website content, and set up DNS records to control how your domain name translates into the server’s IP address.
Pricing
HestiaCP is an open-source project, eliminating licensing fees and making it a cost-effective option
Ajenti
Next up is Ajenti, a versatile Linux-based control panel designed to provide a seamless and intuitive interface for managing servers, web hosting environments, and related services. Ajenti’s core functionality revolves around providing a web interface for server management tasks. However, it achieves this through a unique approach — plugins. Like Webmin, Ajenti is best suited for veteran server administrators.
Key features
- Process Management: Ajenti empowers you to start, stop, and restart processes running on your server, giving you granular control over server operations.
- User Management: Create and manage user accounts on your server, assign permissions, and control access to specific functionalities.
- Service Management: Ajenti enables you to manage various services like Apache, MySQL, and others, ensuring they run smoothly and are configured correctly.
Pricing
Ajenti is free, making it an attractive option for those on a tight budget
InterWorx
Another Control panel to look out for is InterWorx, a powerful and feature-rich web hosting control panel designed for Linux-based servers. InterWorx has a two-tiered interface, providing separate functionalities for server administration (NodeWorx) and website management (SiteWorx). While InterWorx is a fantastic control panel, it has a steep learning curve and is not suitable for non-technical users.
Key Features
- Two-Tiered Interface: The separation between NodeWorx (server administration) and SiteWorx (website management) provides a clear distinction for users. Server administrators can manage the server environment efficiently, while website owners can focus on managing their websites without needing in-depth server knowledge
- API and Command Line Interface (CLI): For advanced users and developers, InterWorx provides an API and CLI for scripting and automation, allowing for more granular control over server management tasks.
- Server Configuration: You can configure essential server settings like firewalls, DNS records (Domain Name System records), and SSL/TLS certificates for security.
Pricing
InterWorx’s pricing ranges from $7.50 to $20 per month depending on your subscription, although there’s a two-week free trial period with no obligation to buy.
VestaCP
VestaCP is a compelling option for those seeking a user-friendly and open-source solution that still packs a punch in terms of functionalities essential for managing your web hosting environment. It strikes a balance between simplicity and functionality, making it great for both beginners and more advanced users.
Key Features
- Built-in Firewall: VestaCP comes with a firewall to help protect your server from unauthorized access and potential security threats.
- Lightweight Footprint: Compared to feature-rich options like cPanel or Plesk, VestaCP boasts a smaller footprint and is not resource-intensive.
- Email Management: You can easily set up email accounts for your domain name, configure settings like forwarding and autoresponders, and manage everything from a central location within VestaCP.
Pricing
Since it’s an open-source project, all of Vesta’s core functionalities are completely free, but they sell some additional plugins for a small fee.
Cloudron
Cloudron is another great option for managing web applications on your server. It’s designed for users who have little technical knowledge, removing the complexities of server administration and allowing users to focus on managing their applications rather than the underlying infrastructure.
Key Features
- Disaster Recovery: Cloudron allows you to create backups of your applications, data, and server configurations. These backups can be stored in external locations like Amazon S3, Google Cloud Storage, or DigitalOcean Spaces.
- Portable: Cloudron’s architecture allows for easy migration of your applications across servers if needed.
- One-Click App Installation: Cloudron streamlines the installation process for a wide range of popular web applications. With a few clicks, you can install applications like WordPress, RocketChat, Nextcloud, GitLab, and many more, eliminating the need for manual configuration and setup.
Pricing
Cloudron has a free tier and a $15 per month premium subscription, but if you want to unlock all of its features, you’d need to get the $960 per year enterprise subscription.
ServerPilot
ServerPilot carves a niche as a user-friendly web hosting control panel designed specifically for PHP applications on cloud hosting platforms like DigitalOcean and Vultr. It offers a streamlined approach to server management, focusing on the functionalities essential for running PHP websites and applications effectively.
Key Features
- Team Collaboration: ServerPilot provides a centralized interface for managing servers and applications by allowing you to grant role-based access and permissions to team members, ensuring efficient communication and coordinated efforts.
- Effortless Server Setup: ServerPilot expedites the initial server setup process on cloud platforms. With a few clicks, you can create a new server instance, configure key settings, and have your server ready to host your PHP applications.
- Security Monitoring: ServerPilot lets you stay informed about potential security vulnerabilities with ServerPilot’s monitoring features.
Pricing
ServerPilot has three plans that range between $5/server per month to $20/server per month, depending on your subscription.
RunCloud
RunCloud is another PHP-based control panel to look out for in 2024. Having established itself as a web server control panel designed to cater to users managing PHP web applications on various cloud hosting providers, RunCloud offers a balance between user-friendliness and functionality, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced users.
Key Features
- Multiple PHP Versions: RunCloud offers support for various PHP versions, allowing you to choose the most suitable version for your specific application requirements
- One-Click Installs: Like ServerPilot, RunCloud allows you to install popular PHP applications like WordPress, Drupal, Laravel, and many more with a single click.
- IP Whitelisting: Restrict access to your server’s administration panel and specific applications by IP address, adding an extra layer of security.
Pricing
RunCloud’s pricing ranges from $6.67 to $37.5 per month
EasyEngine
EasyEngine stands out as a command-line control panel designed specifically for managing WordPress websites on Nginx web servers. It caters to users comfortable with the command line, offering an efficient way to provision, manage, and scale WordPress deployments
Key Features
- Extensible Architecture: EasyEngine’s open-source nature and extensible architecture allow developers to contribute custom scripts, extensions, and integrations, tailoring the tool to their specific needs and workflows.
- Scriptable and Automated Tasks: EasyEngine leverages the power of the command line, allowing you to script tasks and automate repetitive processes.
- Let’s Encrypt Integration: Easily obtain and install SSL/TLS certificates from Let’s Encrypt to secure communication between your website and visitors.
Pricing
EasyEngine is distributed under the MIT License, which means you can use it for free, modify the code, and even redistribute it.
ISPmanager
If bridging the gap between technical complexity and user-friendly management is your vibe, look no further than ISPmanager. Developed by ISPsystem, ISPmanager’s strengths lie in its comprehensive feature set, scalability, and user-friendly interface.
Key Features
- User Management: With this control panel, you can create and manage user accounts with varying permission levels, assign resource limits and quotas, and support reseller accounts and multi-level reseller hierarchies.
- Website Management: You can also create and manage websites, configure website files and folders, and set permissions for accessing website content.
- phpMyAdmin Integration: ISPmanager provides access to the phpMyAdmin tool for easier database administration tasks within the control panel.
Pricing
This control panel costs between $65.89 to $208.89 per year
Froxlor
Froxlor is another open-source web hosting control panel for Linux servers that’s a great option for 2024. Its lightweight footprint, user-friendly interface, and essential server management features make it great for individual website owners, developers seeking a learning platform, and budget-minded web hosting providers.
Key Features
- Active Community: Froxlor benefits from an active open-source community that provides support, contributes to code development, and creates extensions for additional functionalities.
- IP Blocking: Since security is a major consideration for Linux servers, Froxlor enables you to implement basic security measures like blocking IP addresses to prevent unauthorized access attempts.
- Website and Domain Management: Froxlor gives you a simple way to manage websites, configure domains, and set up features like subdomains and DNS records.
Pricing
Froxlor is completely free as it’s an open-source project.
CloudPanel
CloudPanel is a web hosting control panel designed specifically for managing websites and applications on cloud hosting platforms. It’s not the most feature-rich control panel, but it streamlines server management tasks and focuses on functionalities essential for efficiently running PHP applications on cloud servers.
Key Features
- Focus on Simplicity: CloudPanel prioritizes a user-friendly interface, making it easier to learn and use compared to complex control panels.
- Deployment Options: CloudPanel provides various deployment options, including manual file uploads, Git integration for automated deployments from version control systems, and support for popular deployment tools like WP-CLI.
- Cloud-Native Integration: CloudPanel integrates seamlessly with popular cloud hosting providers, simplifying server setup and management within these platforms.
Pricing
ClouPanel is completely free, needing no extra fees or added payments to use.
ISPconfig
Often lauded as a cPanel alternative, ISPconfig offers a versatile web hosting control panel solution for managing websites, domains, email accounts, databases, and server aspects on Linux systems. Its user-friendly interface and diverse functionalities make it a compelling option for individuals, web developers, and web hosting providers.
Key Features
- SSL/TLS Certificates: Easily install and manage SSL/TLS certificates for your websites to secure communication with visitors.
- Email Accounts: Create and manage email accounts, configure email settings (e.g., POP3, IMAP), and set up functionalities like email forwarding and autoresponders.
- Website Management: Create and manage websites, configure website files and folders, and set permissions for accessing website content.
Pricing
ISPconfig is seen as a cost-effective option to cPanel because it’s open source and free.
DirectAdmin
Known as the fastest-running control panel available, DirectAdmin is a web hosting control panel designed for managing websites and servers through a web browser interface. ts focus on reseller functionalities shared hosting management, stability, and user-friendliness makes it an attractive choice for both individuals and web hosting providers.
Key Features
- DNS Management: Users can manage DNS records, including A, MX, CNAME, and TXT records, directly from the control panel.
- Multiple PHP Versions: You can manage and switch between different PHP versions for your websites, ensuring compatibility with your applications.
- Security Focused: DirectAdmin includes various security features, such as IP-based access control, firewall management, brute force protection, and regular security updates.
Pricing
DirectAdmin’s pricing ranges between $5 to $29 per month.
Virtualmin
Built on top of Webmin, Virtualmin is primarily designed for system administrators, web hosting providers, and developers who need to manage multiple websites and hosting environments on a single server. It provides a user-friendly web-based interface for managing various aspects of web hosting, making it easier to handle complex hosting setups without dealing with command-line configurations.
Key Features
- Software Installation: Similar to other control panels, Virtualmin offers a software installer for popular web applications like WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal, streamlining the application setup process on virtual servers.
- Database Management: Users can manage MySQL, MariaDB, and PostgreSQL databases, including creating, importing, exporting, and deleting databases and database users.
- Server Resource Management: Virtualmin provides tools for monitoring server resource usage, including CPU, memory, disk space, and bandwidth usage, and allows users to set resource limits for individual domains or users.
Pricing
Virtualmin is free and open-source, it eliminates licensing costs associated with some commercial control panels
Control Web Panel(CWP)
For those seeking a powerful yet accessible solution to manage their web hosting environments, CWP is an interesting option to consider for 2024. With its comprehensive set of features and user-friendly interface, CWP stands out as a Linux-based control panel solution for managing websites, domains, email accounts, databases, and servers.
Key Features
- Softaculous Integration: The inclusion of Softaculous simplifies the installation and management of web applications within CWP.
- Login Security: CWP offers features like two-factor authentication (2FA) to enhance login security for your control panel access.
- File Management: CWP includes a file manager tool that allows users to upload, download, delete, and modify files on their server via a web-based interface. It also supports FTP and SSH/SFTP for file transfer.
Pricing
CWP is free and open-source.
BlueOnyx
Last but by no means least, is BlueOnyx. BlueOnyx is a feature-rich and user-friendly control panel solution for managing web hosting servers, particularly those running CentOS or CloudLinux.
Key Features
- Multi-Server Management: BlueOnyx supports managing multiple servers from a single control panel instance, making it suitable for hosting providers and businesses with multiple hosting environments.
- Integration with CloudLinux: BlueOnyx is optimized to work with CloudLinux, which provides enhanced security, stability, and resource management features for web hosting servers.
- Domain Management: DNS management is equally streamlined with BlueOnyx, allowing you to manage DNS zones, configure domain aliases and redirects, and maintain complete control over your domain settings.
Pricing
BlueOnyx is entirely free to use and modify
Best VPS providers for these Control Panels
MonoVM
MonoVM has rapidly risen to become one of the top VPS providers thanks to its cutting-edge infrastructure and competitive pricing. MonoVM gives you the best of both worlds, by providing scalability and flexibility for your VPS resources and allowing you to easily adjust CPU, RAM, and storage as your website’s needs evolve.
MonoVM’s cloud infrastructure offers excellent uptime and smooth operation, and that’s great for SEO because it ensures fast loading times for your website. MonoVM is also committed to using only the latest generation of CPUs from Intel and AMD, ensuring optimal performance for even the most resource-intensive applications.
The pricing for this VPS provider starts from as little as $5.99 per month, making it a pocket-friendly and competitive option. If you’re looking for a VPS provider, this should be top of your list.
Hostinger
Hostinger is an extremely popular VPS provider, and for good reason too. Hostinger’s VPS lineup consists of four KVM-based plans that deliver stellar performance and an array of valuable features, all at budget-friendly price points. Each plan includes complimentary snapshot functionality, weekly backups to safeguard your data, and unlimited website support.
While lacking some of the more advanced features of other providers at a similar price point, Hostinger’s VPS offerings are a solid choice for those seeking an affordable option from a reputable brand in the web hosting space.
LiquidWeb
Liquidweb is another fantastic VPS provider, and positions itself as a premium provider in the VPS hosting arena, catering to users who prioritize top-notch performance and reliability. Liquidweb is known for its cutting-edge hardware powered by blazing-fast NVMe storage, Intel CPUs, generous allocations of RAM, enterprise-grade network, and fanatical customer support.
However, LiquidWeb is expensive when compared to other VPS providers mentioned above, and its managed VPS hosting starts at $20 per month for 2 CPUs, 2GB RAM, 40GB NVMe storage, and 10TB of transfer. They also offer self-managed and white-glove fully managed options at higher price points.
How to Choose the Right VPS Control Panel
As you can see, there is a wealth of options you can choose from, and that may get confusing. But don’t worry, because here’s exactly what you should consider when choosing a VPS control panel:
Consider Server and OS Compatibility
First things first: compatibility. It’s important to consider a VPS control panel’s compatibility with your server’s operating system, web servers, and programming languages. Ensure that the control panel you choose seamlessly integrates with your existing infrastructure, to avoid any potential conflicts or compatibility issues down the line.
Evaluate the Provided Features
Not all control panels are created equal, so you need to take a deep dive into the feature set offered by each panel and find the features you need. Do you need robust email management capabilities? Does the panel offer tools for configuring your Domain Name System (DNS) records? Is there a built-in file backup system to ensure data safety?
Make a list of the features crucial for your specific needs and choose a control panel that ticks all the boxes.
Look For User-Friendly Interface
Like the captain’s station on a ship, your VPS control panel will be your command center for server management, so a user-friendly interface is paramount for smooth operation. Look for a panel with a clean, intuitive design that allows you to navigate and perform daily tasks effortlessly. Remember, you’ll likely be using this interface frequently, so ease of use is essential to avoid frustration and wasted time.
Check Available Support and Documentation
Even the most user-friendly interface can’t eliminate the need for occasional troubleshooting. Before committing to a control panel, ensure it’s backed by comprehensive documentation, online forums, and readily available tutorials. Reliable support resources are invaluable for resolving technical issues and learning more about advanced functionalities within the panel.
Conclusion
Choosing the right VPS control panel is a crucial decision that can significantly impact the efficiency and ease of managing your virtual private server. While there is no one-size-fits-all solution, taking the time to evaluate your specific needs and thoroughly researching the available options can pay dividends in the long run.
Remember, the ideal panel should be compatible with your environment, offer the features you require, boast a user-friendly interface, and be backed by solid support resources. With the right control panel in place, you’ll be able to manage your VPS with confidence and unlock its full potential.
