Web hosting control panels are widely used by website owners to manage their hosting plans and servers through an easy-to-use dashboard. These tools simplify tasks like managing domains, adding or deleting website files, and upgrading server resources, removing the need for extensive IT knowledge.
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One of the most popular control panels for over 20 years has been cPanel, due to its low cost and user-friendliness. However, recent changes to cPanel's pricing model have increased costs for some providers by over 100%, causing the industry to seek out more affordable options.
In 2018, cPanel was acquired by Oakley Capital, who then announced a change to their pricing model, charging a monthly fee per license instead of per server. This has caused significant disruption for larger organizations with dozens or hundreds of licenses. Shared hosting plans, which are ideal for beginners due to their low cost, have been hit the hardest, with cPanel costs increasing anywhere from 100% to over 1,000%. As a result, budget hosting providers are searching for alternatives to cPanel such as proprietary options or other control panels. These changes threaten the availability of low-cost shared server options in the future.
According to Hristo Rusev, CEO of ScalaHosting, cPanel's recent shift towards paid features and extras instead of focusing on helpful features for developers is concerning. He believes that essential tools like server integrations and app managers should be offered free of charge in any control panel, since the main purpose is easy management. While inflation has impacted the hosting industry, cPanel's change in business direction is the most concerning shift.
To combat rising costs from using cPanel, web hosting providers are exploring alternative control panels such as DirectAdmin, InterWorx, and Plesk. Additionally, larger web hosts are developing their own proprietary control panels to offer customers more included features at a lower cost. For example, ScalaHosting offers SPanel as an alternative to cPanel. Hristo Rusev expects the trend in the web hosting industry to shift from shared hosting to cloud VPS hosting due to its enhanced security and scalability.
Despite the challenges faced by the hosting industry, innovative companies are continually working to provide better control panel choices and improve user experience and performance. Consumers are taking notice and seeking out alternatives to cPanel. Hristo Rusev notes that for every 100 server clients, only two to three choose cPanel as their control panel option.
The hosting industry was abuzz with talk of cPanel's recent historic price increase, which caused a stir in the Linux server hosting community. In a corporate blog, cPanel apologized for raising prices after receiving feedback from partners worldwide. Under the old pricing structure, web hosts could create an unlimited number of cPanel accounts per server, but now cPanel will license for each account. While small-scale users with up to five accounts won't notice much difference, those with more accounts will face a significant increase in costs.
Hosting providers are looking for control panel alternatives that provide similar functionality to cPanel while offering more predictable and affordable pricing. Some have turned to open-source control panels like CentOS Web Panel, Virtualmin, or ISPConfig as potential replacements. Others are considering proprietary solutions such as DirectAdmin or Plesk.
By seeking alternatives to cPanel, hosting companies are aiming to maintain competitiveness and profitability while continuing to meet the needs of their customers. This shift in the industry reflects the importance of control panel software in managing web hosting services and the impact that significant pricing changes can have on industry dynamics.
The recent changes in cPanel's pricing have prompted hosting providers to re-evaluate their options and consider switching to alternative control panel solutions. This has led to a surge in interest in other control panel software that offers comparable features and functionality.
One popular alternative being explored is DirectAdmin, known for its user-friendly interface and cost-effective licensing model. Hosting providers are also looking at Plesk, which offers a wide range of features and integrations, as well as customizable pricing options to better suit their needs.
Additionally, some hosting companies are considering building custom solutions or leveraging open-source control panels, like Virtualmin and ISPConfig, to reduce dependency on commercial control panel software.
Some alternatives to cPanel in the hosting industry include:
1. DirectAdmin: Known for its user-friendly interface and cost-effective licensing model, DirectAdmin offers a range of features similar to cPanel.
2. Plesk: Plesk provides a comprehensive set of tools for server and website management, and it offers customizable pricing options to meet various hosting provider needs.
3. ISPConfig: This open-source control panel allows for easy administration of web servers, making it a popular choice for those seeking a cost-effective alternative to cPanel.
4. CentOS Web Panel: Another open-source solution, CentOS Web Panel is designed to simplify server and website management tasks for hosting providers.
5. Virtualmin: This control panel is based on Webmin and offers a clean and simple interface, making it a viable option for hosting companies looking for an alternative to cPanel.
6. Froxlor: It is an open-source control panel that allows for the management of multiple customers and servers, making it suitable for hosting providers seeking a flexible and customizable solution.
7. Ajenti: This control panel offers a clean and modern interface, along with features for managing websites, databases, and server configurations, making it a potential alternative to cPanel for some hosting companies.
8. CyberPanel: Known for its focus on performance and security, CyberPanel is gaining attention as an alternative control panel option, especially for those looking for more efficient resource usage.
9. Webmin: While primarily a system configuration tool, Webmin can also serve as a basic control panel for managing web hosting services, making it an option for smaller hosting providers seeking a lightweight solution.
10. Vesta Control Panel: This open-source control panel is known for its simple and clean interface and provides features for managing domains, email accounts, databases, and more, making it a potential alternative to cPanel.
11. ZPanel: ZPanel is a free and open-source web hosting control panel that offers a range of features for managing web hosting services, including domain management, email setup, and server configuration.
12. Froxlor: Froxlor is an open-source server management panel that provides support for multiple users and can handle various aspects of server and website management, making it suitable for hosting providers looking for a flexible solution.
The shift from per-server to per-license fees has crippled many budget providers, inflating costs for shared hosting plans dramatically. This move seems shortsighted, especially when alternatives like DirectAdmin and Plesk are gaining traction. It's frustrating to see a once-reliable control panel prioritize profit over user experience.
With the industry moving towards cloud VPS hosting, it's clear that cPanel's days as the go-to solution may be numbered.
As web hosting evolves in 2025, more companies are moving away from cPanel due to its high costs and licensing restrictions. The trend is shifting towards lightweight, cloud-native control panels that offer better performance, automation, and cost efficiency. Open-source solutions like CyberPanel, AAPanel, and CloudPanel are gaining attention, while AI-powered management tools improve server optimization and security. Container-based hosting and serverless architectures also reduce the need for traditional control panels. cPanel's dominance could decline significantly as hosting companies seek scalability and flexibility in 2025.