CPanel

Cpanel

cPanel is a web hosting control panel software developed by cPanel, LLC. It provides a graphical interface and automation tools designed to simplify the process of hosting a web site to the website owner or the “end user”. It enables administration through a standard web browser using a three-tier structure. 

What Is cPanel Hosting?

CPanel hosting is essentially Linux-based web hosting that includes an installation of cPanel. The hosting plan provides a cPanel account to control your web hosting elements. With that in mind, cPanel can be used in different types of hosting, including shared, dedicated, and managed WordPress hosting. This control panel is a good choice for beginners looking for a straightforward control panel solution. However, just like other hosting control panels, cPanel has its benefits and drawbacks.

Pros:

  • User-friendly interface. The cPanel interface categorizes various features under manageable modules, allowing users to locate them easily. The cPanel dashboard also comes with intuitive menus and graphics for smooth navigation.
  • Highly compatible. As one of the most popular control panels, cPanel is compatible with several web browsers, including Google Chrome, Safari, and Mozilla Firefox. Additionally, cPanel supports many third-party applications, including site builders and SEO tools.
  • Wide range of features. Requiring no advanced technical knowledge, cPanel lets users perform complicated tasks such as creating subdomains and FTP accounts, managing MySQL databases, and generating site backups.
  • Automatic software installation. Not only does cPanel provide numerous features, but it is also well-integrated with the Softaculous Apps Installer. It grants access to more than 400 applications, including popular content management systems. Softaculous takes care of each application during its whole lifecycle, from installation to updates.
  • Reliable support. The cPanel forums and blogs contain plenty of resources. Dedicated technical manuals for both cPanel and WHM are also available. They explain how to use and solve issues with cPanel products.

Cons:

  • Security vulnerability. Research shows that cPanel’s two-factor authentication (2FA) method is vulnerable to brute force attacks. To prevent this, always make sure your cPanel version is up-to-date.
  • Costly license. cPanel has the highest license cost compared to its competitors. Thus, if you’re only managing a website, a cPanel hosting plancan be a cheaper solution as the web host will lend you their cPanel license.
  • Risk of data loss or corruption. There are times when the cPanel system accidentally overwrites server settings and removes all data during major updates. This happens due to a crashed or failed hard drive. In such cases, try to perform a full disaster recovery to restore your web server.