cPanel is a hosting control panel software that is widely-used on servers across the globe. Unlike Plesk, another control panel platform, cPanel can only run on Linux-based operating systems. cPanel is user-friendly and enables users to execute several tasks on their own. The hosting plans below from popular web hosts all run on cPanel, or you can choose to sort plans by cheapest prices.
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Differences Between cPanel And Linux
Linux is a platform that several operating systems use as a kernel (or the core for the platform). cPanel is a control panel that you can add to a server OS to bypass having to use command prompts to accomplish various tasks. cPanel is often used interchangeably with Linux Hosting because cPanel can only run on Linux systems. An OS is required to run a server, but you can run it without a control panel like cPanel.
cPanel gives you a number of great benefits, some of which include:
- Interactive interface
- Simple installation process
- No experience required
- Easily portable and extendable
- Simple website management
- Highly compatible and works well with popular web browsers
cPanel allows you to manage almost anything in your account, including the following:
- Email accounts
- Email forwarders
- FTP accounts
- MySQL databases
- DNS zones
- Ddd-on domains
- Parked domains
- Backups
Free cPanel Hosting
The license for cPanel is not free. If you use unmanaged hosting or colocation, you will likely have to pay for a cPanel license in order to run it on your server. That said, cPanel is frequently included for free for shared or managed hosting. It is possible to find hosts providing free licenses for unmanaged accounts as well.
Does Every Website Have A cPanel?
Control panels are added at the server level and are optional – but highly recommended – for managing it. Additionally, cPanel is just one of many control panels out there: many web hosts use a shell over cPanel and configure it to enable extra features or restrict what users can do.
Since cPanel is vastly supported among many web host providers, it’s relatively easy to transfer your cPanel account from one provider to the next if needed (as long as cPanel is supported by both web hosts). cPanel is one of the more popular control panels used because of its user-friendly interface and added features on both the client and web host provider ends. cPanel is one of the more secure, efficient, and powerful control panels available today.
cPanel hosting is a popular choice for small- and medium-sized websites as well as for websites running forums or discussion boards, as illustrated in the chart below:
cPanel Support Resources
If you need help troubleshooting, thankfully there are many resources available online that can guide you through the technical maze.
- cPanel Forums – The cPanel community support forums offer help and advice covering a wide array of different topics and discussion, including cPanel and other web hosting control panels.
- How To Install Live Chat/Support On Your Cpanel Hosting – This video from walks you through how to install live chat/support function from your Cpanel server.
- Web Hosting Tutorial – Here you’ll find a site dedicated to educating its visitors about web hosting with great advice and information as well as a forum.
- cPanel TV – cPanel TV offers just about everything support resource you’ll need to get cPanel up and running without a hitch.
- Issues Installing on cPanel/WHM – Follow these steps to resolve issues when installing newer releases of cPanel and WHM.
- cPanel User Manual – The user’s manual for cPanel Version 11 can be found here in a useful PDF format. available for download.
