cPanel or DirectAdmin: which control panel should you choose?
Both run websites, email and databases. Here's how they differ, and who each one suits.
Every hosting plan comes with a control panel: the screen where you manage files, email accounts, databases and SSL. The two most common are cPanel and DirectAdmin. Both do the job well; the difference is mostly in price, feel and how much you'll use the extras.
What they have in common
Either panel lets you:
- create email accounts and forwarders,
- upload files and manage databases,
- install WordPress and hundreds of other apps with Softaculous,
- issue free SSL certificates,
- take and restore backups.
For a typical business website or blog, you won't hit a wall with either.
Where cPanel stands out
cPanel is the most widely used panel. That has practical benefits: most hosting tutorials show cPanel screens, more freelancers and agencies know it, and moving a site between cPanel hosts is especially smooth. It also has a larger set of built-in tools.
The trade-off is cost. cPanel's licensing is more expensive, which shows up in hosting prices.
Where DirectAdmin stands out
DirectAdmin is lighter and faster to load, which you'll notice on a slow connection. Its interface is plainer, with fewer menus to hunt through. And because its licence costs less, DirectAdmin plans usually cost less for the same storage and resources.
Which should you pick?
- Choose cPanel if you're new to hosting and want the most tutorials and outside help, if an agency or developer will manage the site for you, or if you're moving from another cPanel host.
- Choose DirectAdmin if you want the lowest price for the resources, prefer a simpler screen, or are comfortable finding your way around.
You're not locked in: we can move an account between the two later.