FastPanel was developed by FASTVPS for their clients and is distributed free of charge. The panel appeared on the market several years ago and has earned a reputation as a simple tool for VPS management. Fully in Russian, works on popular Linux distributions, requires no license fees. For small projects and agencies, it's a sensible choice.
FastPanel vs Other Panels
Most free panels are either English-language (CloudPanel, HestiaCP) or complex to learn (Webmin). FastPanel occupies a middle ground - Russian interface plus sufficient functionality without overload. The panel does basic things well: websites, databases, email, SSL, backups.
Unlike CloudPanel, it includes email and DNS management. Unlike HestiaCP, the interface is slightly more modern and simpler. Compared to paid solutions like ISPmanager, functionality is more modest, but sufficient for personal projects or small studios.
A distinctive feature of FastPanel is that the free license requires registration. You install the panel, register your email, and receive a license key. The process takes a couple of minutes, no payments required. The license is tied to the server's IP and works indefinitely.
Core Functionality
Website creation is simple - you specify the domain, choose PHP version, and the system configures everything automatically. PHP versions from 5.3 to 8.1 are supported in CGI, FastCGI, and FPM modes. You can assign different PHP versions to each site. Switching happens through the interface without editing configs.
MySQL and PostgreSQL databases are managed with built-in tools. phpMyAdmin is integrated for MySQL, phpPgAdmin for PostgreSQL. Create a database, user, configure permissions - standard operations through the web interface. Import and export of dumps work, gzip compression is supported.
Mail server is included. Create mailboxes for domains, configure quotas, manage aliases and forwards. Webmail is available, though not the most modern. For basic needs - sending mail, checking email - functionality is sufficient. For serious mail projects, specialized solutions are better.
DNS management is present. Create zones, configure A, AAAA, MX, CNAME, TXT records. Interface is clear, syntax is checked automatically. For small projects it's enough, for complex DNS configurations it may lack flexibility.
File manager is functional. Upload files, edit them in browser, change permissions, create archives. Large file uploads are supported. Convenient for daily work, but for serious administration SFTP is better.
Backups and Security
Backup system is built-in. Configure schedule, choose what to backup - files, databases, email. Storage locally on server or upload to external storage. Dropbox is supported, which is convenient for automation.
Built-in antivirus scanner Ai-bolit checks sites for infection. Automatic scanning finds suspicious scripts, backdoors, known malicious code signatures. For WordPress sites and PHP projects this is a useful feature - early problem detection.
Two-factor authentication protects panel access. Connect through Google Authenticator or alternatives, get an additional security layer. For a control panel with root access, this isn't excessive.
Web SSH client is built right into the interface. No need to install a separate SSH client - open terminal in browser and work. For quick commands or when you don't have a full-featured client handy - convenient.
Installation and Requirements
FastPanel works on Debian 11/12, Ubuntu 18.04/20.04/22.04, AlmaLinux 8, Rocky Linux 8. Requires a clean system - if panels or web servers are already installed on the server, installation won't proceed. Deploy on fresh OS.
Minimum requirements: 1 GB RAM, 5 GB free space, one CPU core. For real work, 2 GB memory and SSD are better. FastPanel isn't the lightest panel, but not resource-hungry either - average consumption level.
Installation via script is standard. Download installer, run it, wait 10-15 minutes. Script will install Nginx, Apache, multiple PHP versions, MySQL, PostgreSQL, mail stack, the panel itself. After installation, panel is available at https://your-IP:8888.
License registration is mandatory. Open panel, register email, receive free license by email. Enter it in the interface - panel activates. Without license the panel won't work, but license is free and issued instantly.
Limitations and Nuances
Russian interface is a plus for Russian-speaking users, but a minus for international projects. Handing over FastPanel access to English-speaking clients is inconvenient. No localization to other languages.
Dependence on FASTVPS raises questions about long-term viability. Panel is free, but developed by one company without a large open-source community. If FASTVPS decides to discontinue support, the panel will be left without updates.
PHP versions include outdated ones - 5.3, 5.4, 5.5. Good for legacy projects, but current versions are updated not as quickly as competitors. PHP 8.2 and 8.3 are added with delay.
Documentation is in Russian, but not always detailed. Sufficient for standard tasks, for complex configurations you have to google or contact support. Community is smaller than international panels.
Mobile version is responsive, but working from phone is uncomfortable for full functionality. Basic operations - restart service, check statistics - fine. Complex settings are better done from computer.
Who FastPanel Is For
Russian-speaking web studios use FastPanel for client projects. Panel is in Russian, interface is clear, clients easily understand it. Free nature reduces hosting costs.
Freelancers host portfolios and projects on one VPS. Management is simple, functionality sufficient for typical tasks. No need to pay for panel or master complex tools.
Small business in Russia chooses FastPanel for localization and free cost. Corporate website, WordPress online store, internal services - everything works normally. FASTVPS support helps with problems.
Developers use it for test environments. Quickly deploy prototype, test idea, show to client - FastPanel handles it. After testing you can migrate to production panel.
FastPanel is not suitable for international projects - Russian language only. For high-load sites, optimization capabilities are less than specialized panels. Enterprise projects need commercial solutions with guarantees.
Practical Recommendations
Register license immediately after installation. Without license the panel won't start. Process is quick, but if you forget - you'll waste time troubleshooting.
Configure backups to external storage. Dropbox integration works well - set up once, backups fly automatically. Local copies are useless when disk fails.
Update system regularly. FastPanel updates along with system packages via apt or dnf. Security depends on currency of entire stack, not just the panel.
Use two-factor authentication. Panel gives full server access, password protection is insufficient. 2FA adds significant barrier to hacking.
Change standard port 8888 if you're paranoid. Though it's not critical - security through obscurity doesn't work, but reduces automatic login attempts.
Run antivirus scanner periodically. Ai-bolit finds many common infections, but not all. For WordPress install additional security plugins.
Need a Free Panel with Russian Interface?
FastPanel - panel from FASTVPS with full Russian localization. Manage websites, email, databases without license fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is FastPanel truly completely free?
Yes, the panel is free. Registration is needed to obtain a license key, but the license itself costs no money. No hidden payments.
Is there an English interface version?
No, the panel is Russian language only. For English-language projects, better choose CloudPanel or HestiaCP with English interface.
Can FastPanel be used on CentOS?
Officially only Ubuntu, Debian, AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux are supported. CentOS 7 is outdated, CentOS Stream is not on the supported systems list.
Is it difficult to migrate from ISPmanager to FastPanel?
There's no automatic migration. Transfer files, databases, mailboxes manually. Process is standard, but time-consuming. Interfaces are different, adaptation takes several days.
What happens if FASTVPS discontinues panel support?
Panel will continue working, but there will be no updates. For critical projects this is a risk. Project is actively developing now, but no one gives long-term guarantees.