What Are cPanel and WHM? Key Differences and Who Needs Which

If you're about to buy hosting or set up a server, you'll inevitably come across the names cPanel and WHM. Both belong to the same software family, are developed by the same company and usually run together on the same server. But they're designed for different people and different jobs. In this article we'll look at each one separately, compare them in a table and discuss which one you need in which situation.

Short answer: cPanel is the control panel for a single hosting account (your website). WHM (Web Host Manager) is the top-level panel that creates and manages all the cPanel accounts on that server. You use cPanel for your site, and WHM if you're in the hosting business.

What is cPanel?

cPanel is a control panel that lets you manage a Linux-based web hosting account through a graphical interface. Without knowing the command line, you can do the following from your browser:

• File management: upload, edit and extract site files with the file manager
• Email: create email accounts on your domain, set up forwarding and autoresponders
• Databases: create MySQL/MariaDB databases and users, browse tables with phpMyAdmin
• Domains: manage addon domains, subdomains and DNS records
• Security: install an SSL certificate, password-protect directories, block IPs
• Applications: install software such as WordPress in a few clicks
• Backups and statistics: take account backups, view visitor and resource usage reports

Whoever logs in to cPanel sees only their own account. They can't access the files, emails or settings of other customers on the same server. That's why cPanel is the everyday workspace of a shared hosting customer.

What is WHM?

WHM (Web Host Manager) is the server administrator side of the cPanel software. It runs with the server's root privileges and includes the tools a hosting provider needs:

• Creating, suspending, deleting and migrating cPanel accounts from another server
• Defining packages that set limits such as disk space, bandwidth and number of email accounts
• Creating reseller accounts and granting them permission to create accounts
• Server-wide configuration such as PHP versions, Apache/LiteSpeed settings and the mail server
• Server security, firewall integration, service status and updates

In short, with WHM you manage the server and its accounts, and with cPanel you manage the inside of a single account. Someone logged in to WHM can jump into any account's cPanel with a single click; the reverse isn't possible.

Differences between cPanel and WHM

The default addresses usually look like https://alanadiniz.com:2083 (cPanel) and https://sunucu-ip:2087 (WHM). Your hosting provider may also have given you a different login address.

Where does reseller hosting fit in?

Reseller hosting uses a restricted version of WHM. As a reseller you can create cPanel accounts and define packages for your own customers, but you can't access server-wide settings (PHP builds, service management, the firewall). It's a stepping stone for agencies and anyone who wants to sell hosting on a small scale.

cPanel licensing and cost

cPanel isn't free software. Licenses are priced per server and usually by the number of accounts. The more accounts you have, the higher the license cost. A shared hosting customer doesn't pay this fee directly; it's included indirectly in the hosting price. Someone who wants to install cPanel on their own VPS, however, has to buy the license separately.

A technical note: cPanel doesn't run on every operating system. Current versions support AlmaLinux, Rocky Linux, CloudLinux and specific LTS releases of Ubuntu. Installation requires a clean system (with no other panel or web server already installed). We recommend checking cPanel's current list of supported systems before installing.

Alternatives to cPanel

cPanel isn't the only option. Depending on your needs, these approaches are also popular:

• Plesk: cPanel's closest commercial competitor. It also supports Windows servers.
• DirectAdmin: A lighter panel, usually with more affordable licensing.
• Open-source panels: Free options such as aaPanel, CyberPanel, HestiaCP and CloudPanel. They can be enough for hosting a few sites on a single server.
• No panel at all: Connecting via SSH and installing nginx, PHP and the database yourself. It's the most flexible route, but it requires know-how.

Does TürkiyeVPS hosting include cPanel?

Let's be upfront: TürkiyeVPS web hosting plans don't use cPanel. You manage your account through the customer panel we've developed ourselves. It includes a file manager for your site files, phpMyAdmin access for your databases and the essential tools you need to manage your account. Most day-to-day tasks, such as uploading files, importing/exporting databases and updating your site, can be done with these tools.

If you want to use cPanel/WHM or another panel on your own server, you can get one of our VPS or VDS plans, obtain the license yourself and install it. Don't forget to check operating system compatibility before choosing a panel.

Which one do you need?

• If you manage a single site or blog: You don't need WHM. The tools offered by your hosting panel (cPanel or an equivalent) are enough.
• If you host sites for several clients: Reseller hosting or a server with WHM makes your work easier.
• If you're starting a hosting company: A server panel like WHM or your own automation is essential.
• If you're a developer: A VPS without a panel and the command line are usually more flexible. To get started, take a look at our What is a VPS article.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are cPanel and WHM purchased separately?

No. WHM comes with the cPanel license. When you install cPanel on a server, both WHM (the administrator side) and the cPanel interface for accounts are installed.

Can I access WHM on shared hosting?

Usually not. On shared hosting the hosting company manages the server, and you're only given the panel for your own account. To access WHM you need reseller hosting or your own server.

Is it hard to manage a site without cPanel?

It doesn't have to be. A panel with a file manager, phpMyAdmin and FTP/SFTP access covers the tasks most websites need. Things like email and DNS can be handled on separate screens.

How do I move a site from cPanel to another host?

You can archive your files with cPanel's backup tool and export your database through phpMyAdmin. Then you upload the files to the new host, import the database and update the database details in your site's configuration file.