Many customers use a cloud provider’s resources to host websites and applications, typically using on of the numerous managed services available to streamline operations. Cloud service providers (CSPs) typically offer a range of hosting plans designed to match clients’ usage scenarios and business requirements. Companies commonly use public cloud hosting services to run ecommerce storefronts, WordPress websites, and other applications that require fast and secure access from any location.

Some users may be satisfied with a cloud hosting option that shares server resources with other tenants. Other customers may opt for the improved security features of dedicated servers. Regardless of the type of web hosting they choose, they must have a way to manage their cloud environment.

This article reviews the web hosting control panels available to users for server management and other tasks, and it also briefly touches on other control panels that might fit niche needs. We discuss the key features you should look for in a hosting control panel to manage your server effectively, and identify some of the best and most popular control panels for your website.

What is a Hosting Control Panel?

A hosting control panel is a dashboard that allows end-users to perform server management tasks without needing extensive technical knowledge, often serving as the primary control web panel for the entire environment. The control panel provides a web-based user interface that simplifies all aspects of managing a web hosting environment. System administrators, web designers, and general users all benefit from the tools provided by comprehensive control panels.

CSPs often offer customers multiple web hosting control panel options to manage their environment. The hosting provider may have an in-house control panel built to improve the customer experience. Clients may install any third-party commercial control panels if they have root access to the hosted server. Technically skilled or advanced users can also choose an open-source control panel and customize it to meet specific needs.

Main Features of Hosting Control Panels

The web hosting control panel you select must provide the features you need to manage all aspects of your hosted environment without requiring command-line interaction with the server. You might not need all the features these tools provide, but a complete control panel should offer them to customers in a user-friendly interface.

Website and application management

Customers need application and website management capabilities to improve their hosted servers. Many clients support multiple websites from the hosted server environment. Hosting control panels provide tools that simplify deploying, configuring, and managing websites and applications. Specific features often include:

  • File management with uploading and editing tools;
  • Web server configuration with tools like Apache;
  • Tools to manage multiple PHP versions and modules;
  • Creating and managing FTP/SFTP accounts;
  • Advanced panels may even include a responsive remote terminal for direct command-line management within the browser;
  • Simple installers for selected software packages and popular applications such as WordPress or Drupal.

Domain management

Users must be able to use the web panel to manage the domains and subdomains associated with the hosted environment. A server control panel helps with actions such as DNS server management and URL forwarding. Teams can easily add or remove domains and subdomains with an intuitive user interface that eliminates the need for complex command-line work.

Database administration

Many customers use cloud hosting to support important internal and customer-facing databases. A web hosting control panel lets users create, delete, and manage custom databases, often using a database management tool such as phpMyAdmin. However, more comprehensive control panels will provide visual tools for managing databases and performing tasks such as creating users, exporting, and backing up data.

Email hosting management

Users should expect all popular web hosting control panels to provide email and mail server management capabilities. It should be easy to create dedicated email accounts across domains and websites. Some control panels may offer advanced features, such as spam filtering, antivirus screening, and mailbox size limits to minimize mailbox clutter and storage space consumption.

Security management

The control panel should allow customers to modify numerous security features to protect the server and the hosted environment. A secure web hosting control panel provides capabilities including:

  • SSL/TLS certificate management;
  • Managing firewalls and creating IP allow/deny lists;
  • Implementing two-factor authentication (2FA) and integrating with the linux pam authentication mechanism for unified login security;
  • Advanced security features, such as malware and vulnerability scanning.

User management

The web control panel must enable teams to create multiple user accounts with role-based access permissions to control server usage. Customers can define user account privileges and enforce advanced access controls to websites and applications.

Backup and recovery tools

Customers should protect their environment and data with backup and recovery tools built into the control panel. The main features users should expect in a backup system include:

  • Scheduled and on-demand backups;
  • Defining backup retention policies;
  • Simple file, account, and database recovery.

Monitoring and analytics

Customers need monitoring tools that provide complete system usage statistics to understand and improve their hosted environment, websites, and applications. Ideally, the control panel should offer cross-platform support and enable teams to manage multiple servers from a unified dashboard. Additionally, administrators often look for tools that offer easy server logs visualization to quickly troubleshoot issues.

Five of the Best Hosting Control Panels

Here are five of the best and most popular control panels available today.

Atlantic Net Control Panel (ACP)

Atlantic Net offers users a proprietary control panel that combines the features of a web hosting control panel with the ability to manage infrastructure elements such as servers and storage. The friendly user interface makes it easy to manage your hosted servers and applications. The ACP control panel lets businesses manage their hosting solution without extensive technical expertise.

Specific features of ACP include:

  • On-demand snapshots to protect the environment;
  • Straightforward support for VM deployment and management;
  • Excellent backup and recovery capabilities;
  • Granular control over resources such as storage and networks.

cPanel

cPanel is a commercial web hosting control panel supporting cloud, VPS, and dedicated server solutions. Users can automate server management tasks using its powerful automation tools, ensure security, and monitor performance from a unified platform. System administrators specifically appreciate the Web Host Manager (WHM) interface, which provides administrative control over the server. The tool supports security with malware scanning and advanced customization options to strengthen firewalls.

Noteworthy features include:

  • Multiple pricing plans ranging from one to a hundred accounts;
  • Resource monitoring tools for bandwidth management and performance optimization;
  • Support for Ubuntu and other Linux distributions.

Plesk

Plesk is a popular commercial hosting control panel that simplifies the management of all aspects of hosted websites and applications. Users can manage multiple virtual hosts from a single control panel. The tool includes a complete WordPress toolkit covering installation, staging, security, and updates for WordPress sites. Plesk’s feature set includes:

  • A modern web stack with MongoDB database, Composer, and Docker integration;
  • A web project lifecycle facility with a fast web interface to speed up web development and maintenance;
  • Integrated security that includes advanced server monitoring and self-repair tools to address potential issues..

CyberPanel

CyberPanel is a completely free, open-source web hosting control solution. The tool lets users monitor CPU, memory, and disk usage from a centralized dashboard. Customers enjoy the simplicity of single-click installation and setup for popular applications like Joomla, Drupal, and WordPress.

Additional features include:

  • No limits on the number of installations or websites with the Free Forever Plan;
  • LSCache plugin for WordPress for faster website performance;
  • One-click SSL certificates with auto-renewal.

Vesta Control Panel

The Vesta control panel is an open-source solution that offers advanced users unlimited customization abilities by allowing them to modify its source code. The tool supports server administration with real-time monitoring of CPU, memory, and disk usage. Vesta provides an intuitive dashboard that brings all its features together in a user-friendly interface.

Vesta’s features include:

  • A file manager with simple drag-and-drop functionality;
  • A template that simplifies creating and modifying Cron jobs;
  • Access controlled by assigning User, Site Manager, or Admin roles.

Find the Right Solution for Your Hosted Environment

Most users find it important to use an effective web hosting control panel with a user-friendly interface to manage their hosted environment. Users should look for a web hosting option that offers a full-featured native server control panel or supports their preferred control panel. Customers may want to evaluate the differences in features and support between free and commercial tools.

Regardless of the type of control panel chosen, customers must use the tool effectively to improve performance and strengthen security by controlling access privileges. More feature-rich and complex control panels can be compromised if misused. Users should protect their hosted environments by using their control panel securely.