Managing a Virtual Private Server (VPS) can feel like a lot to handle, especially if you’re not comfortable with command-line tools. That’s where VPS control panels come in handy. They provide a user-friendly graphical interface that makes server management much simpler. From automating updates to running multiple websites, these control panels are loaded with features that save you both time and hassle.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the 7 best VPS control panels available today, covering both free and paid options. Whether you’re just starting out or you’re a seasoned developer, there’s a panel here that’s tailored to your workflow.

1. ServerAvatar (Highly Recommended for Developers & Agencies)

Best for Developers, Agencies, and Freelancers

ServerAvatar is a cloud server management platform that also provides Managed Hosting, built for developers, digital agencies, freelancers, and resellers working with PHP-based applications like WordPress, Laravel, Mautic, and custom frameworks. 

Unlike traditional control panels (like cPanel or Plesk), ServerAvatar does not install heavy GUIs on your server. Instead, it connects via SSH and configures your server remotely through a lightweight script. This ensures minimal server resource usage and maximum performance, making it ideal for VPS and cloud instances with limited RAM or CPU.

Why It’s Popular:

• Super light and doesn’t consume server resources.
• Automated server setup in under 10 minutes.
• Perfect for people who want to focus on app development, not server maintenance.

Key Features:

• Lightning-Fast Server Setup 
•  One-Click App Deployment 
•  SSL Management 
•  Git Deployment 
•  Server Health Monitoring 
•  Scheduled Backups 
•  PHP Version Manager 
•  Domain & DNS Management 
• Team Collaboration
•  Multi-Server Dashboard

Security Features

• Integrated UFW firewall configuration
• Fail2Ban protection against brute-force attacks
• Automatic software updates
• Site-level password protection
• Isolated environments for each app

Pricing:

• Paid Plans:
  • Basic: $12/month
  • Pro: $ 29/month
  • Master: $39/month
  • Business: $69/month
    
• All plans come with a 5-day free trial

ServerAvatar is ideal if you want a control panel that’s developer-focused, fast, and affordable.

2. cPanel/WHM

Best for Hosting Providers and Advanced Users

cPanel, paired with WebHost Manager (WHM), is the world’s most widely adopted web hosting control panel, trusted by millions of server admins, hosting providers, and developers. It’s built specifically for Linux-based servers, offering powerful tools for managing websites, emails, files, databases, and more all from a user-friendly graphical interface.

Its dual-panel architecture separates server management (WHM) from site/user management (cPanel). This makes it ideal for hosting businesses and resellers that need to create and manage multiple customer accounts from a central hub.

Why It’s Popular:

• Industry-standard interface
• High compatibility with hosting tools
• Excellent support and documentation

Key Features:

• File manager, email accounts, FTP
• AutoSSL and Let’s Encrypt support
• DNS management
• Resource monitoring
• Multi-user access

Pricing Start With:

• Solo: $26/month comes with 1 Account
• Admin: $32/month comes with 5 Account
• Pro: $46/month comes with 30 Account
• Premier: $65/month comes with 100 Account.

Scale-based pricing depending on number of accounts
If you’re running a web hosting business, cPanel is a reliable and scalable choice

3. Plesk

Best for Windows & Linux Compatibility

Plesk is a leading web hosting control panel designed to simplify the management of VPS and dedicated servers. It stands out from other control panels by offering full cross-platform support, running seamlessly on both Linux and Windows environments, something even cPanel doesn’t provide.

Originally developed by Plesk Inc. and now owned by WebPros (the same group that owns cPanel and WHMCS), Plesk is packed with developer-centric features, automation tools, and security-focused add-ons, making it a favorite among web professionals, agencies, and hosting providers.

Why It’s Popular:

• Wide range of extensions
• Clean and modern UI
• Strong security features

Key Features:

• WordPress Toolkit with staging
• Docker and Git integration
• NGINX & Apache support
• Built-in backup and restore
• Multi-language support

Pricing:

• Web Admin Edition: $15.50/month
• Web Pro Edition: $ 26.99/month
• Web Host Edition: $49.99/month

Choose Plesk if you’re looking for a cross-platform control panel with powerful appintegration.

4. CyberPanel

Best for LiteSpeed Web Server Users

CyberPanel is a free, open-source web hosting control panel built around the OpenLiteSpeed web server. Created and supported by LiteSpeed Technologies, the team behind the renowned LiteSpeed Web Server, it focuses on delivering performance, security, and ease of use.

Ideal for developers, freelancers, and small hosting providers, CyberPanel offers a streamlined hosting experience with powerful features. While it supports NGINX-like configurations, its real strength is its deep integration with LiteSpeed technologies, including LSCache, QUIC/HTTP3, and built-in tools for optimizing WordPress websites.

Why It’s Popular:

• Uses OpenLiteSpeed by default (up to 300% faster)
• Optimized for WordPress
• Active community and documentation

Key Features:

• One-click WordPress staging
• LSCache for speed boost
• Integrated ModSecurity and CSF
• Email & DNS management
• SSL installation

Pricing:

• Free (OpenLiteSpeed)

CyberPanel is great if you’re running high-traffic websites and want supercharged speed and performance.

5. Webmin/Virtualmin

Best for Power Users and SysAdmins

Webmin is a free, open-source web-based system configuration tool for Unix-like systems (mostly Linux). It enables system administrators to handle server management tasks through a user-friendly graphical interface, eliminating the need for complex command-line operations. 

From creating users and managing disk quotas to handling Apache configuration and firewall settings, Webmin brings almost every core function of Linux administration into a simple, browser-based UI.

Why It’s Popular:

• Highly flexible and open-source
• Low resource usage
• Large plugin library

Key Features:

• Advanced user and group permissions
• DNS, Apache, NGINX support
• Backup & restore automation
• PostgreSQL & MySQL support
• Email and spam filtering

Pricing:

• Free version available
• Virtualmin Pro starts at $6/month

Webmin is best suited for advanced Linux users who prefer control over convenience.

6. DirectAdmin

DirectAdmin is a fast and resource-efficient web hosting control panel created to deliver reliability, speed, and ease of use. Developed by JBMC Software and launched in 2003, it has earned a strong reputation over the years as a dependable and affordable alternative to cPanel, making it a popular choice for hosting providers and server administrators. 

While it offers many of the same features as cPanel/WHM, it’s significantly lighter on system resources and comes at a much more affordable, transparent pricing, making it especially attractive for hosting providers, resellers, and developers running on tight margins or smaller VPS setups.

Why It’s Popular:

• Simple and fast interface
• Constant updates and security patches
• Great for shared hosting

Key Features:

• Reseller, admin, and user levels
• Two-Factor Authentication
• Built-in support ticket system
• Brute-force protection
• DNS clustering

Pricing:

• Personal License: $5/month
• Lite License: $15/month
• Standard License: $29/month

DirectAdmin is perfect if you’re looking for a budget-friendly yet powerful cPanel alternative.

7. ISPConfig

Best for Multi-Server Setup

ISPConfig is a free, open-source hosting control panel designed for managing one or more servers through a single web interface. Developed by the ISPConfig Project, this tool has gained popularity for its flexibility, performance, and scalability, especially in advanced or enterprise-level hosting environments.

It is built on the LAMP/LEMP stack (Linux, Apache/NGINX, MySQL/MariaDB, PHP) and is best suited for experienced sysadmins, hosting providers, and technical users who need to manage multiple services across several servers, including web hosting, email, DNS, FTP, and virtualization

Why It’s Popular:

• Manage multiple servers with ease
• Open-source and completely free
• Highly configurable and extensible

Key Features:

• Web, DNS, Mail, and FTP server management
• IPv4 and IPv6 support
• Client and reseller access
• Multi-language interface
• Cron jobs and monitoring

Pricing Comparison

Conclusion

When it comes to selecting the best control panel for your VPS, the decision will come down to your experience level, the performance you require, and, importantly, your budget. If you prefer a lightweight, cloud friendly, and a tool designed with developers in mind, then I recommend ServerAvatar. 

If you run a large hosting organization, your preference may lead you to either cPanel or Plesk as a feature-rich and tested, reliable platform. If you are on a budget or prefer to customize your experience, then CyberPanel or ISPConfig may be better suited for your needs. Either way, all control panels will allow you to manage your server more efficiently, and instead of troubleshooting, you will get back to growing your projects!