A control panel is a web interface for running a hosting account. Instead of typing commands on the server, you click through screens to add domains, create email accounts, make databases, upload files and install SSL certificates.
cPanel is the most common panel on shared hosting. Plesk is its main alternative and is popular on both Linux and Windows servers. Both do broadly the same jobs.
What you can do in a control panel
- Files: upload and edit website files in a browser, or create FTP and SFTP logins.
- Databases: create MySQL or MariaDB databases and users, and open phpMyAdmin.
- Domains: add domains and subdomains and set where they point.
- Email: create mailboxes, forwarders and autoresponders, and read mail in webmail.
- SSL: install free certificates, usually with one click.
- Backups: download a full copy of the account or restore one.
- Apps: install WordPress and other software with an installer.
cPanel and WHM
On a server with cPanel there are two interfaces. WHM (WebHost Manager) is for the server administrator, who creates hosting accounts. cPanel is what each account owner logs into. On shared hosting you only see cPanel.
Do you need one?
On shared hosting, you will get one, and it is the normal way to manage things. On a VPS, a panel is optional. It saves time if you run many sites or are not comfortable on the command line, but it uses some memory and usually has a licence cost. Free open-source panels exist too. If you run one or two sites and are happy with SSH, you can manage everything directly, as the DIY guides show.
Something out of date? Software changes. If a step no longer works, tell us and we will check it and update the page.