The complete guide to web consoles 2016: cPanel, Plesk, ISPmanager and others
Many of those who need web hosting today need a simple server management method. It is usually assumed that a graphical user interface (GUI) is provided along with hosting. Indeed, hosters often offer the best control panels - web consoles. They are a web-based interface that allows administrators and / or users to manage various server services in a comfortable web browser environment.
Consider briefly some of the most popular options among the available and actively supported. 11 of these projects belong to the Open Source category, and six are proprietary software.
Typical means of control panels
In general, most control panels implement a common set of typical functions. Although many allow you to perform only a subset of them, there are several consoles that include all the functionality. The control panel software for web hosting can provide access to the following functions:
- Domain name system management (web domains, mail domains, etc.).
- E-mail system management (email addresses, quotas, spam prevention, etc.).
- FTP management (user accounts, password management, file system quotas).
- Access to the file system from the web interface.
- Manage SSH users / keys.
- Database management (MySQL, PostgreSQL and sometimes other database systems).
- Backup management.
- Access to logs and create reports.
- Plugins for configuring additional services and installing applications (for example, WordPress).
Corporate Control Panel Tools
Some projects also offer enterprise-class facilities, for example:
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- Manage multiple servers from one control panel.
- (For hosts) allow multiple clients to simultaneously run the software control panel on the server.
- Service monitoring and alerting.
- The system of processing customer requests.
- IPv6 support.
Table of control panel tools
As you know, it is better to see once, so for comparison we have brought all this into a table. Below the table are some comments on each software product and links where further information can be found.
| Control Panel
| Basic YAP
| Open source
| Linux
| Windows
| DNS
| Email
| FTP
| DB
| IPv6
| Multi-Server
|
| cPanel
| Perl, PHP
| x
| x
| x
| x
| x
| x
| x
| ||
| Plesk
| PHP, C, C ++
| x
| x
| x
| x
| x
| x
| x
| x
| |
| Directadmin
| Php
| x
| x
| x
| x
| x
| x
| |||
| Core-admin
| Php
| x
| x
| x
| x
| x
| ||||
| Interworx
| Php
| x
| x
| x
| x
| x
| x
| x
| ||
| ISPmanager
| C ++
| x
| x
| x
| x
| x
| x
| x
| ||
| iMSCP
| PHP, Perl
| x
| x
| x
| x
| x
| x
| x
| ||
| Froxlor
| Php
| x
| x
| x
| x
| x
| x
| |||
| Vesta
| Php
| x
| x
| x
| x
| x
| x
| |||
| Zpanel
| Php
| x
| x
| x
| x
| x
| x
| x
| x
| |
| Sentora
| Php
| x
| x
| x
| x
| x
| x
| x
| ||
| Webmin
| Perl
| x
| x
| x
| x
| x
| x
| x
| x
| |
| ISPConfig
| Php
| x
| x
| x
| x
| x
| x
| x
| x
| |
| Ajenti
| Python
| x
| x
| x
| x
| x
| x
| |||
| BlueOnyx
| Java, Perl
| x
| x
| x
| x
| x
| x
| x
| ||
| CentOS Web Panel
| Php
| x
| x
| x
| x
| x
| x
| x
| ||
| Virtualmin
| Php
| x
| x
| x
| x
| x
| x
| x
| x
|
The possibilities of these control panels are varied. Some may be best suited for shared hosting (shared), while others are very popular among cloud hosting users. However, whether your site works on the basis of dedicated servers (dedicated), VPS , or is hosted in a common environment, the ability to manage files, e-mail, applications, etc. from a single, intuitive interface is always useful. Sometimes it is invaluable.
Control Panel Overview
▍ cPanel
cPanel is the most widely used web console. Site owners use cPanel as a control panel, and hosting providers use Web Host Manager (WHM) as an administration tool.
In general, both cPanel and WHM can be considered as the most full-featured systems. Although cPanel is supported only on Linux, Windows support can be implemented using the Enkompass product or through virtualization. However, the user interface, being simple, is definitely not the best among web consoles.
▍ Plesk
Plesk is the leading control panel in the United States, it also owns approximately 75-80% of the European market. Supporting a wide range of Linux versions, as well as ensuring compatibility with Windows, it comes in several editions, each designed specifically for a particular hosting option and usage scenario.
The user interface can be called somewhat clearer and more understandable than that of cPanel, but in terms of functions, Plesk and cPanel are almost the same. Both products are used in large hosting companies (often in the form of proprietary versions) and many other customers.
» Free demo version
Plesk has recently become an independent company, and developers are actively trying to keep up with the ever-evolving Web. The creators of the panel are focused both on hosting for inexperienced users and professional developers, and try to make server management simple and effective. The company also invests heavily in the educational part with elements of marketing to teach web professionals the best practices for doing business on the Internet, marketing and even effective presentation of the material.
Special features
- Host / OS Independence: Plesk can be installed on a wide range of operating systems and on almost any host. If you use any kind of popular Linux version (CentOS, Ubuntu, CloudLinux, etc.) or even Windows, you can run Plesk. As an added bonus, you can even run Plesk inside the Docker container taken from the Docker Hub. This is a strong trump card that distinguishes Plesk from cPanel, which only works on CentOS.
- Git Integration: In response to complaints that many web consoles do not support Git, the popular Gitman extension has been added to Plesk, a popular version control system used to track changes and site updates. This extension is available in Plesk version 12.5 and later, and in a future version of Plesk, full Git support will be built into the kernel.
- Docker Integration: In the October 2016 release, the Plesk core will also include Docker support with a catalog of over 200,000 Docker images. This will enable you to run Docker images directly from Plesk, without the help of the command line.
- SSL Security: Even those with no hosting experience should understand the security features of SSL. Unfortunately, setting up and updating them is sometimes difficult. Thanks to new services like Let's Encrypt, equipping the site with SSL (TLS) security features is greatly simplified, and therefore there is no reason to leave your pages unprotected. Plesk will automatically process certificate receipt and configure database files for https access, which will protect both the web console and the sites hosted on the server. This includes such “goodies” as updating your certificate, supporting HTTP2 and providing you with detailed security information when your server is under attack.
- WordPress Support: Future enhanced version will allow WordPress users to trust Plesk security management with one click. Plesk will take care of managing plug-in updates, fixing bugs in software, and applying updates to enhance security.
- Demo
- Prices
For more advanced users, the panel provides support for multiple versions of PHP, while support for Ruby, Python and NodeJS is implemented through Phusion (it is already built in the release of Plesk Onyx). The popular Linux systems supported are Ubuntu, CentOS, RHEL, Debian, and CloudLinux, and upgrades are possible for Ubuntu and Debian.
▍ DirectAdmin
DirectAdmin is a relatively “lightweight” control panel with Linux support. It has all the basic functions of the control panel, including installation for several clients. All licenses are sold without any restrictions on the number of domains.
▍ Core-Admin
Core-Admin - the panel was designed as a centralized solution with rich connectivity that allows you to manage multiple servers from a single web console. This software includes an advanced authority assignment system and monitoring functions. There is a free version of the Free Web Edition on 10 domains.
▍ InterWorx
InterWorx is offered in the form of two packages: NodeWorx (for server management) and SiteWorx (for site management). Interworx has a good plugin system that allows you to quickly install applications, which is similar to the Softaculous web package manager. InterWorx also has a command line interface.
▍ ISPmanager
ISPmanager is a flexible Linux-based control panel offered by ISPsystem, the leading Russian provider of automation solutions for VPS hosting . For almost twenty years of its history, ISPmanager has become one of the most popular web consoles in Eastern Europe, and its popularity is growing in other regions. This powerful panel is available in two editions. Both can be customized to work with an unlimited number of domains and users and in accordance with your branding.
ISPmanager Lite is designed to manage VPS and dedicated servers.
ISPmanager Business is an ideal option for virtual VDS hosting (shared) or reseller hosting. ISPmanager is a commercial product with functions similar to those of premium panels with a relatively low price, which is why many users find this option the most profitable. The combination of the rich functionality of ISPmanager and an acceptable cost is the quality thanks to which we are pleased to present this product to users.
▍ i-MSCP
i-MSCP is an Open Source product that claims to be the perfect control panel for multiple servers for both professionals (for example, hosting providers) and for personal use. In this panel, it is difficult to single out one thing, but it has an active community.
▍ froxlor
Froxlor is also an Open-Source web console with a very intuitive interface. It has support for IPv6, a system for handling customer requests, and an integrated reseller-customer messaging system. Ideal for Internet service providers and similar organizations.
▍ Vesta
Vesta is an Open Source product that claims to be the easiest and most lightweight web console. It does not support enterprise-level tools (such as multi-server installations), but the developers have tried to focus their attention on performance, for which Nginx was used as the front-end, and Apache was used as the back-end of the application.
▍ ZPanel
Zpanel (has not been updated since March 2014 and may not be supported anymore) - the Open Source control panel “corporate class with support for an unlimited number of resellers”. The product interface is compact and highly functional. Zpanel supports many operating systems, including Linux, Windows, MacOS and FreeBSD.
▍ Sentora
Sentora is a branch of ZPanel. This separation occurred after the sale of Zpanel company, based in the United States. Sentora is considered the version of ZPanel developed by the user community. The Sentora team also offers premium support for the subscription model.
▍ Webmin
Webmin - Open Source Control Panel for system administration in Linux / Unix environment. It has dozens of modules for configuring server services. Cloudmin Toolkit is a Webmin-based interface for managing virtualization systems, including Xen, KVM and OpenVZ.
▍ ISPConfig
ISPConfig is a popular open source control panel with good corporate support. The number of downloads reaches 40 thousand per month, the product has good tools for working with multiple servers, support for IPv6 and virtualization (OpenVZ). This is ideal for service providers and corporate environments.
▍ Ajenti
Ajenti is a Python-based web console that distinguishes it from PHP management systems. The site says that Ajenti has over 55,000 active users. The console has a very well designed interface. Ajento works in various Linux and FreeBSD distributions.
▍ BlueOnyx
BlueOnyx is an open source web console that works only on CentOS and Scientific Linux distributions. Its interface may seem somewhat outdated, but among many other tools this control panel offers good support for multi-user installations.
▍ CentOS Web Panel
CentOS Web Panel - Open Source Web Panel for CentOS Linux. It contains a solid set of functions, similar to most other web panels, although the ability to manage multiple servers is missing.
▍ Virtualmin
Virtualmin is a popular control panel, mainly Open Source. It is offered in three versions:
» Virtualmin GPL - a basic web console with a rich set of tools and a nice interface. This product is available only as a Webmin module . Webmin is one of the most popular user interface management systems in the Linux / UNIX world and has more than three million downloads per year.
The Virtualmin panel offers four server management methods: via the web interface, from a mobile device, from the command line, and via the remote HTTP API .
» Virtualmin Professional simplifies installation and updating of many other applications (for example, WordPress, Joomla, Magento, NodeJS) and provides commercial support.
Cloudmin Professional is a multi-server control panel based on Virtualmin. It is used by companies and providers to deploy cloud services. Cloudmin supports Xen, vserver, Solaris Zones and Amazon EC2.
Virtualmin Professional has more advanced tools for installing applications:
Final note
We hope that this brief overview of the 17 leading and actively supported web consoles will allow you to more confidently choose the best option that meets your personal needs or requirements for professional website management.
Before choosing a control panel, you need to understand which type of hosting suits you best (shared, dedicated or virtual). The appropriate guide for beginners explains what web hosting is and where to start, and more knowledgeable users can refer to the VPS manual .
Do not forget that the web panel is only a dashboard for the site owner, helping to manage applications, files, software add-ons, etc. Many hosting providers include control panels with fantastic features in their packages.
| Control Panel
| license
| free
| Open source
| Alive (latest version)
| BSD
| Linux
| Windows
| Frontend
| Backend
| Plugin support
| VCS
| IPv6 support
| Support multiple servers
|
| Aegir
| LGPL
| Yes
| Yes
| 2015/07/19
| Yes
| Yes
| Not
| PHP, AJAX
| PHP, MySQL / MariaDB
| ?
| git
| ?
| ?
|
| Ajenti | AGPL, proprietary
| Yes
| Yes
| 2014/03/28
| FreeBSD 8.0+
| Yes
| Not
| Python
| Python
| Yes
| git
| Yes
| Not
|
| Alternc
| GPL 2
| Yes
| Yes
| 2016/01/18
| Not
| Yes
| Not
| Php
| PHP / Perl / Shell script
| Yes
| git
| Yes
| Not
|
| Baifox
| GPL
| Yes
| Yes
| 2009/04/04
| Not
| Yes
| Not
| Php
| PHP, SQLite
| ?
| bzr
| ?
| ?
|
| Domain Technologie Control
| GNU LGPL
| Yes
| Yes
| 2013/04/04
| Limited free BSD support
| Yes
| Not
| Php
| ?
| ?
| git
| Not
| ?
|
| EasySCP
| GPL
| Yes
| Yes
| 2016/08/21
| Limited freebsd support
| Yes
| Not
| Php
| Perl
| Yes
| ?
| Yes
| Not
|
| EHCP | GPL
| Yes
| Yes
| 2016/03/14
| Not
| Yes
| Not
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
|
| Froxlor
| GPL
| Yes
| Yes
| 2016/08/02
| Yes
| Yes
| Not
| Php
| PHP, MySQL
| Yes
| git
| Yes
| Partial
|
| Gnupanel
| GPL
| Yes
| Yes
| 2012/03/21
| Not
| Yes
| Not
| Php
| PHP, PgSQL
| ?
| git
| ?
| ?
|
| i-MSCP
| GPL, MPL
| Yes
| Yes
| 2016/09/14
| Not
| Yes
| Not
| Php
| Perl, C
| Yes
| git
| Yes
| Yes
|
| ISPConfig
| BSD
| Yes
| Yes
| 2016/04/22
| Not
| Yes
| Not
| Php
| PHP, MySQL
| Yes
| git
| Yes
| Yes
|
| ispCP
| GPL
| Yes
| Yes
| 2010/11/24
| Limited freebsd support
| Yes
| Not
| Php
| Perl
| Not
| ?
| Not
| Not
|
| Kloxo (formerly Lxadmin)
| AGPL
| Yes
| Yes
| 2011/11/13
| Not
| CentOS (6 is not currently supported) or Red Hat EL 5.x
| Not
| Php
| PHP, MySQL
| Not
| git
| Not
| Yes
|
| Kloxo-MR (Kloxo)
| AGPL
| Yes
| Yes
| 2015/10/30 (7.0.0.b)
| Not
| Yes
| Not
| Php
| PHP, MySQL / MariaDB
| Not
| git
| Yes
| Yes
|
| Sentora
| GPL 3
| Yes
| Yes
| 2014/07/30
| Not
| Yes
| Not
| Php
| PHP, MySQL
| Yes
| git
| ?
| ?
|
| Syscp
| GPL
| Yes
| Yes
| 2010/05/11
| Yes
| Yes
| Not
| Php
| PHP, MySQL
| Yes
| ?
| Yes
| Not
|
| MSPControl
| BSD
| Yes
| Not
| 2016/09/19
| Not
| Not
| Yes
| ASP.NET
| ASP.NET, MSSQL
| Not
| [closed]
| Yes
| Yes
|
| SolidCP | CC BY-SA
| Yes
| Yes
| 2016/09/01
| Not
| Not
| Yes
| ASP.NET
| ASP.NET, MSSQL
| Not
| git
| Yes
| Yes
|
| Usermin
| BSD
| Yes
| Yes
| 2016/03/06
| Yes
| Yes
| Not
| Perl
| Perl
| ?
| Tarball
| ?
| ?
|
| Virtualmin
| GPL
| Yes
| Yes
| 2016/09/17
| Yes
| Yes
| Not
| Perl
| Perl
| Yes
| Tarball
| Yes
| Partial
|
| Webmin
| BSD
| Yes
| Yes
| 2016/08/08
| Yes
| Yes
| Partial
| Perl
| Perl
| Yes
| git
| Yes
| Yes
|
| WebsitePanel
| BSD
| Yes
| Yes
| 2015/08/30
| Not
| Not
| Yes
| ASP.NET
| ASP.NET, MSSQL
| Not
| ?
| Yes
| Yes
|
| VestaCP
| GPL
| Yes
| Yes
| 2016/06/27
| Not
| Yes
| Not
| Php
| PHP, BASH, C
| Yes
| git
| Planned
| Partial
|
| Zpanel
| GPL
| Yes
| Yes
| 2014/03/03 (now dead)
| Limited freebsd support
| Yes
| Yes
| Php
| PHP, MySQL / MariaDB
| Yes
| Not
| ?
| Yes
|
Proprietary Control Panels
| Control Panel
| license
| Free
| Open source
| Latest version
| BSD
| Linux
| Windows
| Frontend
| Backend
| Plugin support
| HTTP / 2 support
| IPV6 support
| Multiple server support
|
| CentOS WebPanel
| proprietary
| Yes
| Partial
| 2016/09/08
| Not
| Yes
| Not
| Php
| PHP, MySQL
| Yes
| Not
| Yes
| Not
|
| cPanel
| proprietary
| Not
| Not
| 2016/06/30
| FreeBSD Versions No More
| Yes
| EOL
| Perl
| Perl
| Yes
| Not
| Yes
| Yes
|
| Directadmin
| proprietary
| Not
| Not
| 2016/06/09 | Yes
| Yes
| Not
| C
| C, scripts, PHP
| Yes
| Not
| Yes
| Yes
|
| H-Sphere
| proprietary
| Not
| Not
| 2013/05/15
| Yes
| Yes
| Yes
| Java
| Java
| Yes
| Not
| ?
| Yes
|
| HDE Controller X
| proprietary
| Not
| Not
| 2012/07/24
| Not
| Yes
| Not
| Php
| Php
| ?
| Not
| Yes
| Yes
|
| Hepsia CP
| proprietary
| Not
| Not
| 2013/11/08
| Not
| Yes
| Yes
| Php
| PHP / MySQL / PgSQL
| Yes
| Not
| Not
| Yes
|
| Hosting controller
| proprietary
| Not
| Not
| 2014/12/24
| Not
| Yes
| Yes
| .NET
| MSSQL
| Yes
| Not
| Yes
| Yes
|
| Interworx
| proprietary
| Not
| Not
| 2016/08/02
| Not
| Yes
| Not
| Php
| PHP, MySQL
| Yes
| Not
| Yes
| Yes
|
| ISPmanager
| proprietary
| Not
| Not
| 2016/09/20
| FreeBSD Versions No More
| Yes
| Partial
| C
| C / sqlite
| Yes
| Not
| Yes
| Yes
|
| Liveconfig
| proprietary
| Not
| Not
| 2016/02/01
| planned
| Yes
| Not
| C
| C / Sqlite
| Yes
| Not
| Yes
| Yes
|
| Machpanel
| proprietary
| Not
| Not
| 2016/03/20
| Not
| Not
| Yes
| .NET
| .NET
| Yes
| Not
| Yes
| Yes
|
| Plesk
| proprietary
| Not
| Not
| 2016/08/01
| Not
| Yes
| Yes
| Php
| PHP / MySQL
| Yes
| Yes
| Yes
| Yes
|
| Server management tool
| proprietary
| Not
| Not
| 2012/09/1
| Not
| Yes
| Not
| PHP, Perl
| PHP, Perl
| Not
| Not
| Not
| Yes
|
| Serverpilot
| proprietary
| Partial
| Not
| SaaS
| Not
| Yes
| Not
| Backbone.js
| Python go
| Not
| Yes
| Yes
| Yes
|
| Serversuit
| proprietary
| Not
| Not
| SaaS
| Not
| Yes
| Not
| Php
| PHP / MySQL
| Not
| Not
| Not
| Yes
|
| Virtualmin pro
| proprietary
| Not
| Not
| 2016/09/17
| Yes
| Yes
| Not
| Perl
| Perl
| Yes
| Not
| Yes
| Partial
|
| Webuzo
| EULA
| Yes
| Not
| 2016/09/16
| Not
| Yes
| Not
| Php
| Php
| Not
| Not
| ?
| Yes
|
| XO Panel
| proprietary
| Not
| Not
| 2013/05/18
| Yes
| Yes
| Yes ( Beta )
| Php
| C / C
| Yes
| Not
| Yes
| Yes
|
| Zentyal (eBox Platform)
| GPL
| Not
| Not
| 2015/10/22
| Not
| Yes
| Not
| Perl
| Perl
| Yes
| Not
| git
| ?
|
Remote access
Some panels implement access to the base OS via a Java applet, while the client side must use the Java Virtual Machine software. Others provide direct access via telnet or SSH.
| Control panel
| FTP
| Anonymous ftp
| Terminal
| View, download and upload files via HTTP frontend
|
| Ajenti
| Yes (plugin)
| ?
| SSH, HTML5
| Yes
|
| Baifox
| Yes (Pureftpd only)
| ?
| ?
| ?
|
| cPanel
| Yes
| Yes
| SSH, Java Applet
| Yes
|
| Machpanel
| Yes
| Yes
| Yes
| Yes
|
| Directadmin
| Yes
| Yes
| Ssh
| Yes
|
| Domain Technologie Control
| Yes
| ?
| Ssh
| Yes
|
| Gnupanel
| ?
| ?
| Ssh
| ?
|
| H-Sphere
| Yes
| Yes
| Ssh
| Yes
|
| HDE Controller X
| Yes
| Yes
| Ssh
| Yes
|
| Hosting controller
| Yes
| ?
| ?
| Yes
|
| i-MSCP
| Yes
| Not
| Ssh
| Yes
|
| Interworx
| Yes
| Yes
| Ssh
| Yes
|
| ISPConfig
| Yes
| Yes
| Ssh
| Not
|
| ispCP
| Yes
| Not
| Not
| Yes
|
| ISPmanager
| Yes
| Not
| Ssh
| Yes
|
| Kloxo
| Yes
| Yes
| SSH, Java Applet
| Yes
|
| Kloxo-mr
| Yes
| Yes
| SSH, Java Applet
| Yes
|
| Openpanel
| Yes
| Planned
| Ssh
| Planned
|
| Plesk
| Yes
| Yes
| SSH, Java Applet
| Yes
|
| Syscp
| Yes
| Not
| Not
| Yes
|
| Serversuit
| Yes
| Not
| Yes
| Yes
|
| Froxlor
| Yes
| Partial
| Partial
| Yes
|
| Usermin
| Yes
| Yes
| SSH, Java Applet
| Yes
|
| Virtualmin
| Yes
| Yes
| SSH, Java Applet
| Yes
|
| Virtualmin pro
| Yes
| Yes
| SSH, Java Applet
| Yes
|
| Webmin
| Yes
| Yes
| SSH, Java Applet
| Yes
|
| Zpanel
| Yes
| Yes
| Ssh
| Installable third-party module
|
| Hepsia CP
| Yes
| Yes
| SSH, HTML5, NodeJS
| Yes
|
| VestaCP
| Yes
| Not
| Ssh
| Yes
|
This article is a modified translation of this article and this table .
Source: https://habr.com/ru/post/310380/
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