Web hosting control panels makes our lives easier by providing a single web-based interface where we can manage all of our hosting activities. Here, we can see details of used and available bandwidth, database, visitor statistics, and more. The functions of hosting control panels are important, so it’s crucial to choose the best hosting panel for you.
cPanel and Plesk are two of the most popular web hosting control panels. These two are both fast, reliable, and secure. So it’s only natural that many IT users would want to know the real deal of cPanel vs Plesk, especially those who are thinking about switching from Windows to Linux hosting. What are the differences between the two? Let’s find out:
Web Hosting Control Panel for Windows vs. Linux
First and foremost, cPanel only runs on CloudLinux, Red Hat, and CentOS while Plesk is a web hosting control panel for Windows and Linux as well. So Plesk is obviously more flexible than cPanel regarding what it can support. However, for most users, this shouldn’t matter especially if they are using Linux in the first place. If you want more flexibility and want a web hosting control panel for Windows, Plesk is a perfect choice.
CPanel Versus Plesk Cost:
Another important aspect in cPanel vs Plesk is the price difference. cPanel is often more affordable than Plesk. Cpanel offers an unlimited use plan that costs up to $425 a year which is $35 a month. On the other hand, Plesk’s unlimited use plan costs $40 a month. Each panel offers plans that may suit your needs, but you have to carefully weigh whether you need some features or you can get away without.
User Interface
Plesk has a cleaner interface, so if you’re particular about the attractiveness of the panel, Plesk is perfect. However, it is very different from cPanel’s interface, so if you’ve been planning to switch from cPanel to Plesk, you may find it confusing. Moreover, cPanel is friendlier to entry-level Webmasters compared to Plesk. That’s because the first page of cPanel displays less information, and the information that is shown is grouped into categories. Plesk does not offer that so it can be a bit confusing for newbies.
Security
Both web hosting control panels offers account level security measures like extensions to install firewalls, anti-spam filters, file upload scanners, and multi-factor authentication. So in this aspect, the two panels are equal.
However, for most users, Plesk wins the cPanel vs Plesk security round. Plesk is known to respond to security threats within a day and releases a fix at an average of 9 days. cPanel, on the other hand, acknowledges vulnerabilities in about nine days and releases a fix in about 28 days.
Final Thoughts: Switch from Windows to Linux Hosting
If you want to switch from Windows to Linux hosting, you need to carefully consider the aspects of cPanel vs Plex. Research which of the hosting panels suits your needs better. Transferring from one panel to another is a nightmare for many. It often requires that you purchase an advanced hosting panel transfer software or do it manually. So don’t switch hosting panels unless you absolutely need to.
