CloudPanel appeared in 2021 as free alternative to heavy panels. Open source, modern React interface, five-minute installation. Panel does one thing—website management—without extra functionality like email or DNS. For those who need speed, not combine.
CloudPanel Philosophy
Most control panels try to solve all tasks at once. CloudPanel takes different path—focuses only on web hosting. No mail server, no DNS server, no billing. There's Nginx, PHP-FPM, MariaDB, Let's Encrypt and convenient interface. Everything else is unnecessary.
This approach gives advantages. Panel consumes 200-400 MB memory versus gigabyte for heavy solutions. Interface opens in 0.2 seconds. Site creation takes 10 seconds. Benchmarks show CloudPanel practically doesn't affect site performance—only 5-10% loss versus bare Nginx.
Panel written from scratch on modern technologies. React frontend, API-based architecture, responsive design. Works fast even on weak servers. Interface intuitive, though only in English.
What CloudPanel Can Do
Site creation automated. Choose type (PHP, Node.js, Python or static), specify domain, select PHP version—ready in dozen seconds. CloudPanel configures Nginx, creates user, gives FTP access, prepares directories. PHP 7.1-8.3, Node.js 14-20, Python 3.8-3.11 supported.
MariaDB databases managed through built-in interface. Create database, user, configure permissions. phpMyAdmin integrated—work with databases through familiar web interface. Import and export dumps in couple clicks.
Let's Encrypt built in out of box. Added domain—request certificate, panel configures everything automatically. Wildcard certificates (*.example.com) supported. Renewal every 60 days happens automatically. HTTP → HTTPS redirect enabled with one checkbox.
File manager allows working with files through browser. Upload, edit, change permissions, create archives. For serious work SFTP better, but for quick edits built-in manager sufficient.
Cron jobs configured through interface. Choose schedule (daily, weekly, custom), enter command, enable logging. Email notifications about execution optional.
What CloudPanel Doesn't Have
No mail server. CloudPanel doesn't manage Postfix, Dovecot, mailboxes. If need email—choose different panel or configure manually via SSH. This is developers' conscious decision, not shortcoming.
No DNS server either. No BIND, no zone management. DNS configured on registrar side or through Cloudflare (integration exists). For most scenarios this normal—external DNS more reliable and simpler.
No CMS auto-installers. No Softaculous, no Install Scripts. WordPress, Joomla, Drupal install manually: create site, download distribution, unpack, create database, run installer through browser. Takes 3-5 minutes versus minute with auto-installer.
No reseller functionality. CloudPanel doesn't separate users into levels, no domain restrictions, no hosting packages. One user—administrator—manages all sites. For personal projects or web studios this normal, for hosting resale doesn't suit.
Installation and Requirements
CloudPanel requires clean system. Ubuntu 22.04/24.04, Debian 11/12, Rocky Linux 9, AlmaLinux 9 supported. If server already has Apache, Nginx or MySQL installed—installation script refuses to work. Need fresh OS.
Minimum requirements modest: 2 GB RAM, 10 GB disk, one CPU core. For comfortable work 4 GB RAM and SSD recommended. On VPS with 2 GB memory CloudPanel leaves about 1.4 GB for sites—enough for several small projects.
Installation automated with one command. Script installs Nginx, PHP 8.1/8.2/8.3, MariaDB, CloudPanel itself, Certbot, Fail2ban, configures UFW firewall. Process takes 5-10 minutes. After installation panel accessible at https://your-IP:8443 with login admin and randomly generated password.
Initial setup minimal. Change password, choose time zone, configure hostname, add first site. CloudPanel ready to work.
Security
Firewall configured automatically. UFW allows only SSH (22), HTTP (80), HTTPS (443) and panel (8443). Everything else blocked. Fail2ban protects SSH from brute-force—five failed login attempts and IP blocked.
Site isolation implemented through separate users. Each site works under own account with isolated PHP-FPM pool. One hacked site won't affect others on same server. This is basic security for multi-site hosting.
SSL for panel itself uses self-signed certificate. Can install Let's Encrypt if panel needs public domain. For local access self-signed certificate normal.
Recommended to change standard port 8443 to something less obvious. Restrict panel access through UFW to your IP. Enable two-factor authentication through Admin Settings. These simple steps drastically reduce hacking risk.
CloudPanel vs Competitors
cPanel more functional—more features, plugins, auto-installers, email, DNS, reseller tools. But cPanel paid, heavy, slow. CloudPanel free, lightweight, 15% faster in benchmarks. For basic web hosting CloudPanel wins.
HestiaCP also free and includes email with DNS. Interface functional but visually outdated. CloudPanel more modern, 20-30% lighter on memory, but HestiaCP gives more features. Choice depends on priorities—speed or functionality.
Virtualmin full-featured panel with reseller capabilities, auto-installers, advanced settings. But heavier than CloudPanel, more complex to learn. CloudPanel simpler, faster, but more limited. For simple tasks CloudPanel more convenient.
Webmin not competitor at all—it's system administration, not web hosting. Different tools for different purposes.
Who CloudPanel Suits
Developers value CloudPanel for deployment speed. Create test environment in minute, launch Node.js API, deploy Python application—all through one interface. No need to manually configure Nginx or PHP-FPM.
Web studios use CloudPanel for client sites. One VPS, dozen domains, minimal overhead. Absence of extra functions simplifies maintenance. Clients don't need email on hosting—they use Google Workspace or external services.
Startups save on licenses. Instead of paying for cPanel or Plesk use free CloudPanel. For MVP or small service functionality sufficient, and savings noticeable.
Freelancers host portfolio, personal projects, client sites on one server. CloudPanel gives enough features without enterprise solution complexity.
CloudPanel doesn't suit if email critical—no built-in tools. If DNS hosting needed—zone management absent. Beginners without SSH experience and manual CMS installation may find difficult. Enterprise projects require commercial support which CloudPanel doesn't have.
Practical Tips
Install on clean system. Attempting to install CloudPanel on server with existing software leads to conflicts. Better deploy new VPS.
Use external DNS. Cloudflare free and reliable, integration exists out of box. Don't try to configure BIND manually—CloudPanel doesn't manage it.
For WordPress use WP-CLI. Automates installation and updates. Install once, then deploy new sites with commands instead of manual downloading.
Configure backups via cron. CloudPanel doesn't include backup system. Write script that copies files and dumps databases, run on schedule, send to remote storage.
Monitor resources. CloudPanel lightweight, but PHP sites and databases consume memory. If RAM exhausted, optimize PHP-FPM pools or add resources.
Updates go through apt/dnf. Regularly run apt update && apt upgrade. CloudPanel updates together with system packages.
Need Fast and Minimalist Panel?
CloudPanel—free panel with modern interface. Five-minute installation, zero ownership cost.
FAQ
Can CloudPanel be used for mail server?
No, CloudPanel doesn't manage email. For email need panels with Postfix/Dovecot (ISPmanager, HestiaCP, Virtualmin) or manual configuration.
Does CloudPanel support CentOS?
No, only Ubuntu, Debian, Rocky Linux and AlmaLinux. CentOS 7 outdated, CentOS Stream not supported.
Is it difficult to switch from cPanel to CloudPanel?
No automatic migration. Copy files via SFTP, export databases, import on new server. Process manual but simple. One site—30-60 minutes.
Is CloudPanel stable for production?
Project young (launched 2021) but actively developing. For critical projects testing recommended before switching. For non-critical sites stability sufficient.