Welcome to the battle of control panels – DirectAdmin vs cPanel. Choosing the right admin panel for your web hosting needs is crucial as a website owner. cPanel and DirectAdmin are two popular control panels used for hosting and provide the administrative options for managing all the parts of your website. In this article, we will dive deep into the differences between DirectAdmin and cPanel, helping you make an informed decision on the best hosting control panel for you.
Table of Contents
What Is DirectAdmin?
DirectAdmin is a lightweight, yet powerful web-based control panel that allows users to manage their hosting accounts efficiently. DirectAdmin offers a user-friendly and easy-to-use interface, making it a great choice for beginners and advanced users alike. With DirectAdmin, you can easily navigate and find what you’re looking for within the interface, making server management less overwhelming. Although DirectAdmin may seem like a small player compared to cPanel, it has gained a loyal following due to its simplicity and functionality.
What Is cPanel?
On the other side of the ring, we have cPanel, the heavyweight champion of control panels. According to W3Techs, cPanel is used by 6.8% of all websites as of May 2023. cPanel is a web-based control panel that provides nearly every administrative option you need to manage your hosting account effectively. Unlike DirectAdmin, cPanel includes an extensive range of features, plugins, and modules, allowing you to customise and enhance your hosting experience. Beginners will find cPanel easy to navigate, and similar to DirectAdmin, it also supports Linux environments. MCloud9 includes cPanel hosting with all its web hosting plans, allowing you to take advantage of its robust features and user-friendly interface.
DirectAdmin vs cPanel – Which One Is Better for You?
Now that we’ve introduced both management panels, let’s compare them to determine which one is the best fit for your needs. While DirectAdmin and cPanel are very similar in terms of their purpose, they do have some notable differences that may sway your decision.
- Graphical Console: Both dashboards share the common trait of being visual web hosting control panels. However, cPanel takes the lead in terms of the number of features and customisation options it provides. If you’re looking for a hosting console with a wide range of options, cPanel is the best choice.
- Lightweight: If you prefer a lightweight control panel that gets the job done without overwhelming you, DirectAdmin is the winner. DirectAdmin’s clean and intuitive interface makes it easier for beginners to manage their hosting plans and perform administrative tasks without feeling lost in the myriad of options.
- Scalability: When it comes to scalability, cPanel is the go-to option. cPanel comes with more advanced features and functionalities, making it the preferred choice for businesses and websites that require robust scalability options.
The choice of control panel plays a subjective role and depends on your individual needs and preferences. However, cPanel is one of the best choices available, as it includes nearly all the admin options you will need and is easy to find what you’re looking for. If you are interested in learning about some of the other web hosting panels available, check out our article on the 6 best web hosting control panels.
In the next section, we’ll explore more of the key differences in detail.
Pricing of cPanel vs DirectAdmin
Now, let’s take a closer look at the pricing structures of these panels. Understanding the cost implications is essential for making an informed decision.
DirectAdmin offers a straightforward pricing model. It requires a licence for each server you want to manage with DirectAdmin. The pricing depends on the number of servers you wish to control, making it a cost-effective solution for small to medium-sized businesses. Licences range from a ‘Personal Plus’ licence at $5 per month to a ‘Standard’ licence, with unlimited accounts, at $29 per month.Â
cPanel utilises a tiered pricing structure based on the number of accounts you host
On the other hand, cPanel utilises a tiered pricing structure based on the number of accounts you host. While cPanel does provide nearly every feature you need, it can be more expensive compared to DirectAdmin, especially if you have a large number of accounts. cPanel pricing tiers range from the ‘cPanel Solo’ at $15.99 per month to the ‘Premier’ tier, with 100 accounts, at $59.99 per month.
Graphical User Interface (GUI) – Ease of Use
One of the critical factors to consider when choosing an admin panel is user-friendliness. Let’s explore how these two consoles fare in terms of user-friendliness.
DirectAdmin boasts an easy-to-use interface that allows users to quickly find what they’re looking for within the UI (see demo). The clean design and intuitive navigation make it easy for both beginners and experienced users to manage their hosting plans effectively. DirectAdmin’s user levels provide granular control, allowing you to delegate specific tasks to different users.
On the other hand, cPanel also provides a user-friendly interface with a plethora of options (see demo). However, due to the extensive range of features available in cPanel, new users may find it slightly overwhelming at first. Once you familiarise yourself with the interface, cPanel becomes a powerful tool for managing your hosting.
Features – File Manager, Plugins and More
Both DirectAdmin and cPanel offer a range of features to help you manage your domains, emails, and other aspects of your hosting account. Let’s take a closer look at what each management panel brings to the table.
DirectAdmin features a comprehensive set of tools for domain management, including DNS management, domain redirection, and subdomain creation. It also provides email management capabilities, allowing you to create and manage email accounts effortlessly. DirectAdmin’s manager for files makes it convenient to upload, edit, and organise files on your server.
In comparison, cPanel includes similar domain management functionalities, but with additional features such as domain parking, addon domains, and domain aliases. cPanel’s email management capabilities include email forwarding, autoresponders, and spam filtering. Additionally, cPanel provides a robust file manager that allows you to access and manipulate files in the interface. cPanel also provides more code options and configurations within the UI, while DirectAdmin leaves quite a bit of the work to be done in the root shell.
Scalability
Scalability is a critical factor to consider when choosing a web console, especially if you anticipate the need for expansion in the future. Let’s examine how cPanel and DirectAdmin handle scalability.
cPanel takes the lead in terms of scalability options. With cPanel, you have access to a vast ecosystem of plugins and modules that can enhance the functionality of your control panel. Whether you need to integrate third-party applications or extend the capabilities of your hosting environment, cPanel comes with a wide range of options.
DirectAdmin, although not as extensive as cPanel in terms of scalability, still provides essential features that meet the needs of most users
DirectAdmin, although not as extensive as cPanel in terms of scalability, still provides essential features that meet the needs of most users. While it may not offer the same level of customisation, DirectAdmin remains a reliable and efficient administrative panel for scaling your hosting operations.
FAQs for DirectAdmin vs cPanel
Can I switch between DirectAdmin and cPanel easily?
Yes, it is possible to switch between the two, but it may require some manual configuration and data migration. It is recommended to consult with your hosting provider for assistance during the transition.
Is cPanel a free control panel?
No, cPanel requires a licence to use and is not a free web console. However, it is a popular choice due to its user-friendliness and wide range of features.
What role do hosting companies play in cPanel vs DirectAdmin?
Hosting companies typically offer a choice between cPanel and DirectAdmin as the dashboard for managing your hosting plan.
What is WHM?
WHM is Web Host Manager, a server configuration framework developed by cPanel LLC that is used to manage both cPanel and DirectAdmin accounts. DirectAdmin also provides a server configuration framework similar to WHM, with the same capabilities to manage your hosting package.
In Conclusion
In the battle of control panels, DirectAdmin vs cPanel, the choice ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences. DirectAdmin provides a lightweight and user-friendly option, while cPanel offers a comprehensive set of features and scalability options. It’s important to consider factors such as pricing, ease of use, and the specific functionalities you require for your hosting.
As you navigate the decision-making process, we invite you to explore the hosting services offered by MCloud9. With MCloud9, you can experience fast performance, reliable support, and a user-friendly control panel that caters to the needs of every type of user. Our cPanel hosting, powered by LiteSpeed web server and SSD storage, ensures optimal speed and efficiency for your website.
Voila! You’ve reached the end of the DirectAdmin vs cPanel battle. Hopefully, this article has shed light on the differences between the two panels. Now, it’s up to you to choose the best control panel for your hosting needs. If you have any further questions or need assistance, feel free to reach out.
