OSI-licensed open source
A server control panel gives you a web interface to manage websites, databases, DNS, mail, SSL certificates and system services on a Linux server, so you do not have to edit every config file by hand. Open-source panels give you an alternative to paid panels such as cPanel and Plesk.
Every tool below was checked on its repository for an OSI licence and active maintenance. Some target shared hosting with multiple users (Hestia, Froxlor, Virtualmin), others manage a single server or containers (1Panel, Cockpit), and Webmin sits closer to a general system administration console.
Tools, licences and pricing checked against vendor and repository pages on November 7, 2026.
| Tool | Best for | Pricing | Licence |
|---|---|---|---|
| HestiaCP | Self-hosted web and mail hosting on Debian or Ubuntu | Free, open source | GPL-3.0 |
| 1Panel | Container-oriented single-server management | Free, open source | GPL-3.0 |
| CyberPanel | Hosting WordPress sites on OpenLiteSpeed | Free, open source (optional paid add-ons) | GPL-3.0 |
| Webmin | Broad system administration of Linux servers | Free, open source | BSD-3-Clause |
| Virtualmin | Multi-domain shared hosting using a Webmin base | Free, open source (GPL edition); paid Pro edition (see vendor pricing) | GPL-3.0 |
| Froxlor | Small hosting setups with several customers | Free, open source | GPL-3.0 |
| Cockpit | Interactive administration of a single server or small fleet | Free, open source | LGPL-2.1-or-later |
Best for: Self-hosted web and mail hosting on Debian or Ubuntu · Free, open source
Hestia Control Panel is a lightweight, web-based panel for managing websites, mail, DNS and databases on Debian and Ubuntu servers. It is a community fork continuing the former VestaCP codebase.
Best for: Container-oriented single-server management · Free, open source
1Panel is a web-based Linux server management panel with a built-in app store for deploying containers and applications. It offers file, database and container management through a modern interface.
Best for: Hosting WordPress sites on OpenLiteSpeed · Free, open source (optional paid add-ons)
CyberPanel is a web hosting control panel built around OpenLiteSpeed. It manages websites, email, DNS and databases with a web UI and command-line tooling.
Best for: Broad system administration of Linux servers · Free, open source
Webmin is a long-running web-based system administration interface for Unix-like servers. It manages users, services, packages, networking and many server applications via modules.
Best for: Multi-domain shared hosting using a Webmin base · Free, open source (GPL edition); paid Pro edition (see vendor pricing)
Virtualmin is a hosting control panel built on Webmin that manages virtual hosts, domains, mail and databases for multiple users. Its GPL edition is free and a paid Pro edition adds features.
Best for: Small hosting setups with several customers · Free, open source
Froxlor is a lightweight, open-source server management panel aimed at hosting providers and hobbyists. It manages customers, domains, mail and FTP accounts on Linux servers.
Best for: Interactive administration of a single server or small fleet · Free, open source
Cockpit is a web-based graphical interface for servers that uses the system's own tooling. It shows logs, storage, networking, services and containers and offers a terminal in the browser.
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| If you need… | Start with |
|---|---|
| Debian or Ubuntu web and mail hosting | HestiaCP |
| Docker-style app deployment on one server | 1Panel |
| General system administration | Webmin, Cockpit |
| Multi-user hosting business | Virtualmin, Froxlor |
| OpenLiteSpeed WordPress hosting | CyberPanel |
Quick answers to common questions
Yes. HestiaCP, Virtualmin, CyberPanel and Froxlor cover common hosting tasks under open-source licences.
They can be, but any panel with root-level access is a high-value target. Keep it updated, restrict access by IP or VPN and enable two-factor authentication where offered.
HestiaCP, 1Panel, Webmin, Virtualmin, CyberPanel and Cockpit all document Ubuntu support. Check each project's supported versions before installing.
Most panels expect a fresh install and rewrite web and mail configs. Use a clean server or a snapshot to be safe.
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