Table of contents
What is cPanel, and why is it used?Pros of using cPanel on a dedicated serverCons of using cPanel on a dedicated serverHow to install cPanel on a dedicated servercPanel for dedicated server alternativeWhen is cPanel worth it? Best use casesNext stepsAdditional resources
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Dedicated Server → cPanel

cPanel for dedicated servers: pros, cons, and how to get started

Running a dedicated server gives you raw power and control—but managing that power efficiently? That’s where tools like cPanel come in. If you’ve heard the name but aren’t sure what it does (or why so many hosts recommend it), you’re in the right place.

Let’s break down how cPanel works, why it’s popular, where it falls short, and how to get it running on your dedicated server.

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What is cPanel, and why is it used?

cPanel is a commercial Linux-based control panel that makes server and website management user-friendly. It splits management into two interfaces:

  • WHM (WebHost Manager): The admin-level control panel for managing the server itself, setting up user accounts, configuring security settings, and more.
  • cPanel (the user interface): A simplified dashboard where individual users can manage websites, email, domains, databases, backups, and other account-level settings.

cPanel is the go-to for thousands of hosting providers, especially for shared and reseller environments. It also shines on dedicated servers when you want structure, automation, and ease of use.

One note: cPanel is not free. Licenses are priced based on how many accounts you host on the server, so pricing can vary. I’ll circle back to that under “Cons.”

Pros of using cPanel on a dedicated server

There’s a reason cPanel dominates the control panel market: it makes complex server tasks easy, even for newer users.

  • Clean, intuitive interface: The cPanel UI is visual and beginner-friendly, with icons for every task. You can create email addresses, install SSL certificates, launch file managers, and more—without touching the command line.
  • WHM for root control: WHM gives you complete access to server-level tools, like restarting services, managing users, assigning resource limits, configuring nameservers, and installing security modules.
  • One-click software installs: With tools like Softaculous, you can install WordPress, Joomla, Magento, and other web apps instantly.
  • AutoSSL and Let’s Encrypt integration: Enable HTTPS on all sites with automated SSL certificate provisioning and renewal—no manual configuration needed.
  • Scheduled backups and account restores: Set daily or weekly backups, with options to restore full accounts, files, or databases in just a few clicks.
  • Security tools built in: cPanel includes features like IP blockers, ModSecurity integration, email spam filtering, and brute-force protection via cPHulk.
  • Multi-account environment: Great for agencies or resellers, because each website or client can have its own isolated cPanel account.
  • Excellent support and documentation: cPanel has decades of community knowledge, robust documentation, and strong support from most hosting providers.

Cons of using cPanel on a dedicated server

That said, cPanel isn’t perfect for every setup. Here’s where it might fall short.

  • Licensing cost: cPanel licenses are based on how many accounts (websites or users) you host. Pricing starts around $15–$20/month for solo accounts and scales up quickly. For resellers or multi-site environments, that adds up.
  • System requirements: cPanel only works on a short list of Linux distributions (CentOS, AlmaLinux, CloudLinux). It won’t run on Debian, Ubuntu, or Windows.
  • Resource usage: Compared to lightweight control panels, cPanel adds overhead. It installs services like Apache, Dovecot, Exim, and MySQL out of the box, so expect some RAM and CPU usage—even when idle.
  • WHM can be overwhelming at first: While cPanel’s user interface is beginner-friendly, WHM has a lot of knobs and levers. New users might find it intimidating without documentation or guidance.
  • Vendor lock-in: Because cPanel is a closed-source, commercial product, you’re dependent on cPanel, Inc. for feature updates and pricing. You also can’t customize the stack as freely as you could with a DIY setup.

For most users, especially beginners, the benefits outweigh the limitations, but it’s good to know what you’re getting into.

How to install cPanel on a dedicated server

Installing cPanel is straightforward, but you must start with a clean server. That means no LAMP stack, no web services, and no existing website files. Ideally, use a freshly installed copy of CentOS Stream, AlmaLinux, or CloudLinux.

1. Log in to your server via SSH as root

ssh root@your-server-ip

2. Update the server and install Perl. cPanel requires Perl to run its installer.

yum update -y

yum install perl -y

3. Download and run the cPanel installer

cd /home
curl -o latest -L https://securedownloads.cpanel.net/latest
sh latest

4. Wait for installation to complete. This takes 30–60 minutes depending on your server specs. The installer sets up all the necessary services: Apache, MySQL/MariaDB, Exim (mail), Dovecot (IMAP/POP), and more.

5. Access WHM for setup. Open a browser and visit:

https://your-server-ip:2087

6. Follow the WHM setup wizard

  • Accept the license agreement
  • Set your contact email and nameservers
  • Choose a hostname (e.g. server.yourdomain.com)
  • Enable recommended services like FTP, mail, etc.

7. Start creating accounts and managing your server. From WHM, you can create cPanel accounts, configure security, manage DNS, set up backups, and install plugins.

Your dedicated server is cPanel-ready!

cPanel for dedicated server alternative

If you’re weighing your options, Plesk is the main alternative to cPanel worth considering—especially if you want a different interface or plan to host on Windows.

How Plesk compares

  • User interface: Plesk uses a single login system, rather than splitting admin and user panels like WHM/cPanel. Some users find this simpler; others prefer cPanel’s division of duties.
  • Windows compatibility: Plesk runs on both Linux and Windows, making it the only serious option if you need IIS or ASP.NET hosting.
  • Feature set: Most core features are the same: domain management, email setup, SSL provisioning, backups, and software installs.
  • Licensing: Plesk’s pricing is comparable to cPanel but structured differently. Some plans bundle more features or support fewer domains.

Plesk is especially popular among agencies that want a clean, consolidated interface, or businesses running both Linux and Windows servers. 

When is cPanel worth it? Best use cases

Here’s when investing in cPanel makes sense:

  • You want a visual, beginner-friendly control panel without having to learn command-line tools
  • You’re hosting multiple websites or clients and need account-level isolation and user permissions
  • You want automated backups, SSLs, and app installs with minimal setup
  • You’re used to shared hosting and want a familiar transition to dedicated infrastructure
  • You value official support and documentation and don’t want to rely entirely on forums or trial and error

Additional resources

What is a dedicated server? →

Benefits, use cases, and how to get started

How to estimate the total cost of ownership (TCO) for dedicated servers →

Learn how to accurately estimate the total cost of ownership (TCO) for dedicated server hosting solutions.

Fully managed dedicated hosting →

What it means and what fully managed services cover on dedicated hosting

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