cPanel is a control panel for Linux servers that lets you manage your website, email accounts, databases and domains through a visual interface. It is the most widely used hosting panel in the world.
With cPanel you do not need the command line or server skills: creating a mailbox, installing WordPress or adding SSL takes a few clicks.
What can you do with cPanel?
- File management: upload, edit and delete your site’s files with the File Manager or FTP.
- Email: create mailboxes on your own domain, set up forwarders and auto-replies, and read mail in the browser with webmail.
- Databases: create MySQL databases and users, and manage your tables with phpMyAdmin.
- Domains and DNS: add domains and subdomains and edit your DNS records.
- SSL: AutoSSL installs and renews a free SSL certificate automatically.
- One-click apps: install hundreds of applications, WordPress included, with Softaculous and no coding.
- Backups: back up your site and email and restore them when you need to.
- PHP and scheduled tasks: choose your PHP version and set up cron jobs that run at set times.
cPanel vs WHM
cPanel and WHM are two layers of the same software family. cPanel manages a single hosting account; WHM (WebHost Manager) is the top-level panel that manages the server and every account on it.
| cPanel | WHM | |
|---|---|---|
| Who uses it? | The site owner | The server administrator or a reseller |
| What does it manage? | One account’s files, email and databases | Creating accounts, defining packages, server settings |
| Where do you get it? | With every cPanel hosting account | With reseller plans and cPanel-licensed servers |
If you want to create cPanel accounts for your own clients, you need a cPanel reseller plan, which gives you WHM access.
What is cPanel hosting?
cPanel hosting is a hosting plan that comes with cPanel as its control panel. The panel licence is included, and server security, updates and maintenance are handled by the hosting company. You only look after your site.
Plus Datacenter’s cPanel hosting plans include the LiteSpeed web server, Imunify360 security, daily JetBackup backups, Softaculous and free AutoSSL as standard. Plans start from 0.99 $/mo on annual billing.
How do I log in to cPanel?
- Type yourdomain.com/cpanel or yourdomain.com:2083 into your browser.
- Log in with the username and password from the welcome email you received when your account was created.
- Alternatively, open your service in the client area and use the “Log in to cPanel” button to go straight in without a password.
cPanel vs DirectAdmin vs Plesk
| cPanel | DirectAdmin | Plesk | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Linux | Linux | Windows and Linux |
| Strength | Most widely used, broad add-on support | Lightweight, fast interface | ASP.NET and MSSQL support |
| Licence cost | Highest | More economical | Mid-range |
| Best for | Anyone wanting a familiar interface, agencies | Budget-conscious users | .NET projects |
Plus Datacenter offers hosting on all three panels: cPanel, DirectAdmin and Plesk (Windows).
cPanel licences for your own server
To install cPanel on your VPS or VDS you need a separate licence. cPanel licences are priced by the number of accounts you host on the server: Admin Cloud for 5 accounts starts at 23.99 $/mo and Premier Cloud for 100 accounts at 52.99 $/mo. See every option on our licence rental page.
Frequently asked questions
Is cPanel free?
No, cPanel is licensed software. On cPanel hosting and reseller plans the licence is included in the price; for your own server you need to rent a licence separately.
Is cPanel available in other languages?
Yes. You can switch the cPanel interface to many languages, including Turkish and Spanish, from the menu in the top-right corner.
How do I install WordPress in cPanel?
Open Softaculous in cPanel, choose WordPress and enter your site name and admin details; the installation finishes in a few minutes.
I forgot my cPanel password. What should I do?
Open your service in the client area and use the “Log in to cPanel” button to sign in without a password, or ask our support team to reset it.
Is cPanel available on Windows hosting?
No. cPanel only runs on Linux servers. Windows hosting plans use the Plesk panel.
cPanel hosting from 0.99 $/mo on annual billing
LiteSpeed, Imunify360, daily JetBackup, Softaculous and free SSL on every plan.