The document provides an overview of the top 10 web hosting control panels, describing their features, usability, and advantages for managing websites and hosting accounts. Each control panel, such as cPanel, Plesk, and Direct Admin, is discussed in terms of its specific functionalities, target users, and system compatibility. It also answers frequently asked questions about control panels, their necessity, and differences from other tools like WordPress.

1. 10 Best Web Hosting
Control Panels (Paid+Free)
First, let’s start with the basic question: What is a Control
Panel?
Control Panel is what the name suggests; it is a tool used to control
or manage a website.
Let’s understand with an easy example; you have a computer, right?
So where do you go when you want to change some settings, see
the hardware devices connected to your PC, troubleshoot something
you are having a problem with, or change, modify, or update any of
the settings of your Windows? You go to the Control Panel of your
Windows.
Just like a control panel in your windows, a Web Hosting Control
Panel helps you control and manage your website. It is a graphical
user interface (or sometimes a web-based interface) that provides
various tools for managing a website, the web hosting account, and
sometimes the server. You can access this control panel online,
mostly via a web browser.
Every web hosting company offers you a control panel; some of
these companies also provide various control panels you can choose
from. Your web hosting experience is directly proportional to the
number of great features and functionality of the control panel you
use.
Either you can fall for a bad web hosting control panel that can
single-handedly make your internet journey a nightmare, or you
can compare different control panels and choose the best web
hosting control panel so your journey is easy and comfortable.
Let’s move on to a fundamental question:

2. WHAT IS A CONTROL PANEL
USED FOR IN WEB HOSTING?
You can use a Hosting control panel for various purposes:
➢ Domain Management – Tasks like Domain Renewal, DNS
editing, Domain Forwarding, IP addresses, registering new domains,
MX records, Subdomain management, etc., are done.
➢ Application Installation – You can easily install Web
applications or Content Management Systems (CMS) like
WordPress, Drupal, etc.
➢ Account Administration – Plan Renewal, Altering billing profile,
updating the password, etc.
➢ Email Management – Setting Up mail accounts, email
forwarders, and spam filters. Managing and deleting Email accounts
can be done.
➢ File Transfer Protocol/FTP – Accessing files and folders on the
server.
➢ Backups – Create Backups regularly via cPanel, so you don’t
lose your data.
➢ Website Setup – You can easily setup up your website through
cPanel.
➢ Website data transfer – You can easily transfer data using FTP.
➢ Website Analytics – Analytical tools to constantly monitor the
growth of your website.
➢ File and Database Management – Easy file and database
management.
➢ Support – Live chat support and other support features.

3. Also Read: How To Host A Website In Simple Steps
You can also do all of this directly by logging into the server, but
you’ll have to have web development knowledge. One wrong step
and all of your hard work go to waste. Moreover, web panels are
fun; they are intuitive and simple. Would you like to watch a Movie
or read its script? Of course, you’d like to watch it; it’s more fun and
simpler.
Now that we have tackled some fundamental questions, it will be
‘fun’ to move on to the article’s main topic.
Also Read: 5 Things Small Business Should Know About Web
Hosting
10 BEST WEB HOSTING
CONTROL PANELS
1. CPANEL
cPanel is one of the most popular Control Panels based on Linux. It
was initially released in 1996 and is the oldest hosting control panel
software. It beautifully incorporates a graphical and server
management interface through Web Host Manager (WHM). It is
easy to navigate and is suitable for both beginners and
developers.

4. Some of the features of cPanel include:
★ Email Creation and Management.
★ Spam filters, autoresponders, and email forwarders.
★ Visitor and Error Logs.
★ Domain name Settings, registration, and transfer.
★ Database management.
★ Great Security features like IP blocker, leech protection, and
password-protected directories.
★ Performance Monitoring, Analytical tools.
★ Automatic Backups.
★ File management and FTP.
★ There are lots of compatible third-party apps and tools that can
be used to extend its functionality.
Also Read: Everything You Need To Know About Cpanel –
Beginner’s Guide

5. 2. PLESK
Plesk is also one of the most popular hosting control panels. While
cPanel’s interface is based on Linux, Plesk’s interface is heavily
influenced by Windows. While few control panels are offered for
windows, Plesk is available for Windows and Linux. It has a lot of
great automation tools, which makes server maintenance very
easy.
It has 4 different Login Levels with additional permissions
and responsibilities:
➢ Administrator – It is the highest level of the four and can
manage multiple servers.
➢ Client/Reseller – This level requires permission from the
administrator and can create and manage multiple domain names.
➢ Domain Owner – As the name suggests, this can manage only
one domain name.
➢ Mail User – It is the lowest level of the four levels and can
manage mail-related options like spam filters, passwords, webmail
interface, etc.
Some of the features of Plesk include:
★ Have an Application vault for Installing a variety of Applications

6. ★ Includes WordPress Toolkit
★ Includes eCommerce Integration
★ Simple File Management
★ Consists Database Support
★ Consists of Web Framework Support
★ Consists of Free & Premium Extensions
★ Includes Self-Repair Tools
Also Read: 7 Best CMS For Building An ECommerce Website
3. DIRECT ADMIN
Direct Admin was initially released in 2003 and has been updated
continuously to overcome limitations. That’s why it is a very stable
control panel. It is available for Linux and BSD Systems. It has a
Multilingual Interface.
Some of the features of Direct Admin include:
★ Multiple Access Levels – Administrator, User, and Reseller for
better security.

7. ★ Built-in anti-spam tools.
★ DNS management.
★ Backup creation
★ Database Creation and management.
★ Reseller account creation and management.
★ File Management.
★ Analytical tools
★ Simple to use
4. H-SPHERE
First things first, H-Sphere is a complex tool. You’ll have to learn it
well, but once you know the ways of H-Sphere, you’ll not regret it,
as it is a more advanced hosting control panel. And it has solid
documentation and robust community support. So, if you get lost in
the functions, there is a community to help you out of them.
Some of the features of H-Sphere include:
★ Site Building tools
★ SSL Support

8. ★ Multilingual Support
★ Scalable clustering
★ E-commerce functions
★ Email System, etc.
Once you learn to control the force, the force will make you
powerful.
Also Read: How To Set A Budget For Your Business Website
Development
5. WEBMIN
Webmin is more of a multi-server management tool than a control
panel. It is available for almost all systems, including Linux, Unix,
BSD, Solaris, etc. It is also available for windows but only offers
some of the features. It is not very user-friendly and simple, but it
is highly customizable.
One of the most important features of Webmin is that it can
manage multiple servers, making it very useful for large businesses.
It offers 3 different kinds of panels:

9. Usermin – It helps you manage emails, set up mail filters and
passwords, etc.
Cloudmin – Used to manage virtual servers.
Virtualmin – It helps you manage multiple virtual hosts.
Some of the features of Webmin include:
★ Allows to host web files & applications remotely
★ Consists Firewall Modules
★ Consists of Command Line Management
★ Includes Monitoring System
★ Have Advanced access controls
★ Have DNS & DHCP Management
Also Read: How To Migrate A Website From One Server To
Another
6. INTERWORX
InterWorx is a web hosting control panel allowing administrators
and companies to manage their servers and websites from a single,
easy-to-use interface.

10. Some of the features of InterWorx include:
➢ User management: InterWorx allows for creating and
managing multiple user accounts, with granular control over each
user’s permissions and access to server resources.
➢ Website management: InterWorx makes it easy to manage the
websites hosted on a server, including the ability to create and
manage multiple websites, manage DNS zones, and manage email
accounts.
➢ Server management: InterWorx provides various tools to help
server administrators manage their servers, including the ability to
monitor server resource usage, manage services, and configure
security settings.
➢ Backup and restore: InterWorx provides a built-in backup and
restore system that allows users to easily create and manage
backups of their websites and server configurations.
➢ Reporting and logging: InterWorx provides various tools that
allow users to view detailed statistics on server usage, website
traffic, and other metrics.
➢ Add-ons: InterWorx has many add-ons that can extend the
functionality of the control panel, including billing systems, email
delivery tools, and more.

11. ➢ Scalable: It is designed to manage servers with many websites
and high-traffic sites easily. It is commercial software; however,
they offer a free trial version, which is available for Linux operating
systems.
Also Read: Website Optimization Tips To Increase Website
Performance
7. ISP MANAGER
ISPmanager primarily focuses on virtual private server (VPS)
hosting or dedicated servers; it can also be used for shared or
reseller hosting. It offers two versions; Lite is for personal use,
while Business is for business websites that provide shared hosting
services.
You may not need the full version of this control panel as it is
loaded with functions; if you are an individual user, go for the lite
version and increase the functionality according to your needs by
adding extensions. It can support third-party software like Apache,
MySQL, PostgreSQL, Sendmail, etc.
Some of the features of ISP Manager include:
★ Database management

12. ★ DNS management
★ Logs and Statistics
★ Flexible user management
★ File Manager
★ High availability
★ Integrated Billing
★ Customizable
★ Multi-language support
Also Read: VPS Hosting VS. Dedicated Hosting – 6 Key
Factors To Consider.
8. VDESK
vDesk is a web hosting control panel that offers various server and
website management features. One of its unique features is its
focus on simplicity and ease of use, making it an ideal choice for
novice and experienced users.
It is like Plesk and cPanel but has more advanced tools and built-in
features.

13. Some of the features of vDesk include:
★ User-friendly interface
★ Advanced Website Management tools
★ Robust server management system
★ Reporting and logging tools
★ Built-in firewall, VPN, and SSL certificate management
★ Multiple-language support
★ e-Commerce tools
★ Marketing-related services
Also Read: How Does A VPS Work? A Complete Guide For
Beginners
9. FROXLOR
Froxlor is a powerful and flexible web hosting control panel that
offers various server and website management features. Its

14. lightweight design, multi-server support, automation, and security
features make it a unique solution.
It is a good option for hosting providers, resellers, developers, and
system administrators who need an open-source, customizable, and
multi-language supported control panel.
Some of the features of Froxlor include:
★ Multi-server support
★ Lightweight Automation
★ Flexible customer management
★ Security
★ Customizable
★ Multi-language support
★ Domain Name services
★ Multiple email creation and management
★ Multiple FTP account creation and management

15. 10. HC9
HC9, or Hosting Controller, is a hybrid multi-cloud control panel. It
can manage both Linux and Windows servers. It effectively
manages different hosting servers on various platforms through a
single interface.
Some of the features of Froxlor include:
★ Multi-platform support
★ Multi-language support
★ Billing and Automation
★ Customer management
★ Email Management
★ Website Management
★ Domain Management
★ Top-Notch Security
★ Web-based services

16. ★ Cloud-based services
★ APIs for all supported applications control actions
★ It provides quota management which includes cost-control
measures
Also Read: Linux VPS Vs Windows VPS – What Should You
Choose?
FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS ABOUT CONTROL
PANEL
We’ve discussed the best 10 hosting control panels for different
uses, and maybe you’ve got some questions. Let’s answer them.
1. DO I NEED A HOSTING CONTROL
PANEL?
You don’t NEED a hosting control panel, but if you want to manage
your hosting server easier, you may want to use it. If you have
limited technical knowledge, having a web hosting control panel will
make your life easier.
2. IS CPANEL THE SAME AS
WORDPRESS?
No, they are two different tools for different purposes. cPanel is a
web hosting control panel that helps you manage a web hosting
account, whereas WordPress is a content management system that
enables you to create a website. Also, cPanel is the default control
panel in WordPress.

17. 3. WHAT IS THE CONTROL PANEL USED
FOR IN WEB HOSTING?
Control Panel in web hosting is a software tool that allows server
administrators and web hosting companies to manage their servers
and websites from a single, easy-to-use interface.
4. WHERE IS MY WEB HOSTING
CONTROL PANEL?
The location of your web hosting control panel will depend on the
web hosting provider and the type of control panel they are using.
Some web hosting providers will provide a web interface where you
can log in to your account and then access your control panel.
Others may give you a direct URL to access your control panel, or
some hosting providers allow you to access the control panel using
an IP address and port; this is common with VPS or dedicated
servers.
5. DO I NEED A CONTROL PANEL FOR
VPS?
Having a control panel for your VPS can make managing your
server and websites easier and more user-friendly, but it’s not
strictly necessary. You can still manage your VPS using command-
line tools, scripts, and other tools.
However, a control panel provides a more intuitive graphical
interface for many people, allowing them to perform a wide range of
tasks without needing advanced technical knowledge. So, it
depends on your needs and the level of control you want over your
hosting environment.
6. DOES WEB HOSTING INCLUDE
CONTROL PANEL?

18. It depends on the web hosting provider and the type of hosting plan
you have chosen. Some web hosting providers include a control
panel as part of their hosting plans, while others may offer it as an
add-on service or not at all. Before signing up for a hosting plan, it’s
important to check the features and options included.
If a control panel is not included, check if the provider can add it as
an extra service or if it’s possible to install one yourself.
7. IS CPANEL HARD TO USE?
cPanel is an easy-to-use tool. It is widely used for its ease of use
and intuitive interface. The control panel is designed to make it easy
for users to manage their servers and websites, even with little or
no technical experience.
Source - https://www.hostitsmart.com/blog/best-web-hosting-
control-panels/