cPanel in 2025 — Still the King of Hosting, or Time to Move On?

#webdev #cybersecurity #php #devops

My First Encounter With cPanel

When I first started managing websites, cPanel was everywhere. Shared hosting providers? cPanel. Budget VPS providers? cPanel. Even some premium managed hosting companies used it.
At the time, I thought: “This must be the industry standard — if everyone uses it, it has to be the best.”

And for a while, it really felt like that. The interface was straightforward, adding domains took seconds, email accounts were a click away, and databases were simple to set up.

But then I discovered Plesk — and my view shifted.
Where cPanel felt functional, Plesk felt modern and integrated. Still, cPanel has some undeniable strengths that make it one of the longest-surviving and most widely adopted hosting control panels today.

What Exactly Is cPanel?

cPanel is a Linux-based web hosting control panel that provides a graphical interface and automation tools designed to simplify the process of hosting websites.

It usually comes bundled with WHM (WebHost Manager), which gives administrators and resellers deeper control over accounts and server-level configurations.

In short:

cPanel = End-user panel (manages domains, websites, emails, files).
WHM = Admin panel (manages accounts, security, server settings). Together, they make a powerhouse duo.

Why People Still Love cPanel in 2025?

Despite newer players like Plesk, DirectAdmin, and cloud-native solutions, cPanel has a loyal user base. Why?

Ubiquity — Almost every hosting provider offers it.
Ease of use — Even beginners can figure it out quickly.
Huge ecosystem — Countless tutorials, forums, and support communities.
Mature and stable — Decades of refinements mean fewer bugs.
WHM integration — Perfect for resellers and agencies to create client accounts.

But… it’s not all sunshine. The biggest downside today is cost.

Pricing in 2025: The Elephant in the Room

Back in the day, hosting providers paid a flat fee for unlimited accounts. That changed.

Now cPanel charges per-account licensing, which has made many providers (and end-users like us) rethink whether it’s worth it.

Small VPS (up to 5 accounts) → $24.95/month
Up to 30 accounts → $39.95/month
100+ accounts → $59.95+/month

For agencies, this adds up quickly.
That’s one of the reasons I personally shifted many of my projects to Plesk, which often comes bundled cheaper with cloud providers.

cPanel vs Plesk: My Personal Take

Having worked with both, here’s how I see it:
cPanel

OS Support = Linux only
WordPress Tools = Basic installers
UI Design = Outdated but familiar
Cost = High (per account)
Developer Features = Limited
Market Share = Huge

Plesk

OS Support = Linux & Windows
WordPress Tools = Advanced Toolkit (cloning, staging, security)
UI Design = Modern and clean
Cost = More flexible
Developer Features = Docker, Git, Node.js, PHP versions
Market Share = Growing fast

Conclusion:

If you need Linux-only, familiar, widely supported hosting → cPanel is rock-solid.
If you want modern tools, Windows support, and flexibility → Plesk wins.

Step-by-Step: Installing cPanel/WHM on a Fresh VPS

Note: cPanel is commercial software — you need a license. Most hosting providers offer it pre-installed, but if you want to set it up yourself, here’s how:

Prepare your VPS (CentOS, AlmaLinux, or CloudLinux recommended)

ssh root@your_server_ip

Update your server

yum update -y

Set hostname (important for installation)

hostnamectl set-hostname server.yourdomain.com

Install cPanel

cd /home && curl -o latest -L https://securedownloads.cpanel.net/latest && sh latest

Access WHM in browser

https://your_server_ip:2087

Activate license Follow the prompts to activate your cPanel license.

Pro Tips for cPanel Users

Use AutoSSL (free certificates via Sectigo) to secure all domains. Enable CSF (ConfigServer Security & Firewall) for better server protection.
Always keep backups — cPanel integrates with JetBackup and other tools.
If you manage clients, use WHM packages to define limits easily.

Final Thoughts

cPanel may no longer be the cheapest or most innovative hosting panel, but it’s still the most familiar and widely adopted. For many, that alone is worth the cost.

Personally, I now prefer Plesk for its flexibility and modern features, but I still recommend cPanel if: