DirectAdmin vs. cPanel: Choosing the Right Control Panel for VPS in 2025

List of content you will read in this article:

To run your hosting, websites, and virtual servers, you need a strong and good control panel. Two well-known choices are DirectAdmin and cPanel, each with its own good points and uses. If you need a simple, cheap, and easy-on-resources control panel, DirectAdmin is the better pick, mainly for your own projects and VPS servers that don't have much. But, if you want wider features, better handling of many sites, and pro help, cPanel with WHM is the safer bet and fits bigger hosting companies better. Keep reading for more information, and if you’re looking to streamline your server management. 

Why VPS Needs a Control Panel?

A hosting control panel is a graphical user interface and sometimes a text-based web interface that allows you to manage your website, host, or server using the tools provided. In simpler terms, the control panel is the visible part of your host; therefore, the features that are included by default will largely determine your experience as a host user, including the following:

• Install and manage websites
• Manage hosting accounts
• Manage purchased domains
• Use the FTP protocol
• Manage files on the host
• Backup information
• Manage databases, email, SSL, and DNS
• Perform backups and restores
• Monitor resources, processes, and bandwidth usage
• Security settings such as firewalls and IP access restrictions

With these interpretations, we can say that you should pay special attention when choosing a hosting control panel, especially when comparing cPanel pros cons and evaluating DirectAdmin features.

Check out our guide on the Best VPS Control Panels to find the perfect fit for your needs.

Pricing and Licensing (2025 Update)

When it comes to DirectAdmin vs cPanel, license costs and pricing structure play a major role in the decision-making process. This is especially crucial for those planning to host a large number of user accounts or websites on a single VPS.

Note 1: Prices may slightly vary depending on the license provider. However, the general pattern remains the same.

Note 2: cPanel pricing 2025 is based on tiered pricing, meaning the more hosting accounts you have, the higher the monthly cost.

• Up to 5 accounts: ~$15/month
• 30 accounts: ~$30–$45/month
• 100+ accounts: $90 or more

This pricing works for large hosting providers but can be expensive for freelancers or small businesses, especially on a VPS with around 30 accounts. As you can see, the per-account cost with cPanel is over 4 times higher than with DirectAdmin VPS license cost. 

For those on a budget, explore the Top Free cPanel Alternatives that offer great features without the cost 

Performance & Resource Usage

In a VPS environment, resources are limited, so a lightweight design and optimal use of resources become important.

From the table, you see that DirectAdmin has a simpler, better design than cPanel. When not in use, it uses just 150-200 MB of RAM, but cPanel needs 500-750 MB. DirectAdmin's CPU use is also lower, so it puts less load on the processor. It also needs only 300-400 MB of disk space for a basic setup, whereas cPanel takes up 1.5-2.5 GB of space. These points make DirectAdmin a smart pick for VPSs that do not have a lot of resources.

Features & Extensibility

Both panels give you the main tools you need. Yet, small changes in them are key for top users and hosts.

Plugin World

cPanel has better support and more kinds of plugins, with tools like Softaculous for quick script setup, JetBackup for safe copies, and many designs. DirectAdmin also uses Softaculous and others, but not as many as cPanel. Still, DirectAdmin gives good APIs for its own tech work, fitting the tech needs well.

Move Tools

cPanel lets you make a full backup of your stuff with WHM, and moving it all between places is easy and the same everywhere. DirectAdmin can also move straight from cPanel and swap accounts around. It backs move with saved file use and proxy use for moving domains. Both ways work well for moving accounts.

Safety & SSL

Both tools work with steps like two-way checks, free SSL with AutoSSL, and firewall plans. cPanel wraps these more smoothly in WHM, while DirectAdmin needs more add-ons like CSF or ModSecurity. Set up well, both are safe and trusty.

Help & Learn

cPanel has been around longer and has more teaching tools, forums, and help pieces. DirectAdmin has built a good help community too, now with a main forum and good guides. While cPanel still leads in help stuff, DirectAdmin is catching up fast, with more and more developers backing it.

User Experience & Interface

In short, if you are an amateur, buy a cPanel host; if you are a professional and the appearance and features are not important to you, buy DirectAdmin. CPanel comes with a graphical and extremely user-friendly interface, which, due to its modern design, even novice users can easily manage their panel with it. 

On the other hand, the DirectAdmin interface is more minimalistic and simpler. This interface is suitable for those who want to perform professional functions at high speed, without getting stuck in graphic designs.

cPanel vs DirectAdmin Comparison 2025: Real-World Use Cases

In general, DirectAdmin is more suitable for light tasks, simple management, low resource consumption, and environments with limited budgets. In contrast, cPanel, with its wider features, advanced management capabilities, and professional plugin ecosystem, is a better option for professional businesses, agencies, and large hosting.

 DirectAdmin is suitable for:

• Independent developers and freelancers: Because it is lightweight and low-power, it runs well on cheap VPSs and is quite sufficient for testing or hosting a few small projects.
• Bloggers and personal sites: The simple user interface, low license cost, and low resource requirements make it ideal for blogs and personal sites.
• Startups and small businesses on a budget: Low cost and good control over resource usage allow these groups to launch their website without the need for a large investment.
• Hosting in countries with software sanctions: DirectAdmin is more accessible to Iranian users or sanctioned countries due to fewer restrictions on licensing.

cPanel is suitable for:

• Reseller Hosting: With WHM, you can create multiple independent accounts for customers and easily manage resources, domains, and access levels.
• Managed hosting companies: The extensive ecosystem of plugins (such as JetBackup, Softaculous, CloudLinux) and extensive support make it a reliable option for professional services.
• Large businesses or high-traffic websites: Professional features like advanced logging, resource monitoring, and multi-layered security offer better performance and more granular management.
• Web design agencies or development teams: The ability to manage multiple websites simultaneously, create different users, and have granular control over each site makes it easier for larger teams.

Migration Considerations

Moving a website from DirectAdmin to cPanel or the other way needs a lot of care. If you don't know much tech stuff, it's best to let the pros handle it.

1. Make a full backup

First, save a full copy of your site in your current setup. In cPanel, choose Full Account Backup, and in DirectAdmin, pick Admin Backup/Transfer. Check that all parts, like the database and emails, are working well.

2. Change the backup type

The backup file type varies between DirectAdmin and cPanel. You can't just move them to the new place. Use scripts that change the type. You can find these for free on GitHub, or some web hosts have them too.

3. Move emails

Emails don't always move with a backup. To make sure all your mail and folders reach the new spot, use a tool like imapsync. It sends emails right from the old place to the new one using the IMAP method

4. Fix files and database

Once the backup is on the new server, put back the site files and database. You might see issues like mismatched database names or usernames (this happens a lot in cPanel). If so, you need to tweak these in the site setup files.

5. Put back SSL certificates and check DNS

SSL certificates won't move over. So, you need to put them on the new server again. Use AutoSSL in cPanel or Let's Encrypt in DirectAdmin for this. Also, make sure to check and fix DNS records in the new setup if needed.

6. Setting PHP version and modules

The PHP version and active modules may be different on the new server. To avoid possible errors, after migration, check and set the website's PHP version and required plugins (such as ionCube, GD, intl) correctly.

7. Final test

Before transferring the domain's DNS to the new server, it is better to do a final test. To do this, you can use a test subdomain (for example, migrate.yourdomain.com) or edit the hosts file on your computer, view the website on the new server, and check its correct functioning (including database, email, and SSL).

Many reputable web hosting companie,s such as Hostinger and MonoVm offer free transfer services with some of their services. If you are not experienced enough, this option can be very useful. If you’re new to hosting, our step-by-step tutorial on How to Use and Manage the cPanel can help you get started quickly and easily

DirectAdmin vs cPanel: Which Should You Choose?

In summary, if you're looking for a simple interface, lower cost, and optimized resource usage, DirectAdmin VPS is the better choice. However, if you need long-term stability, a professional plugin ecosystem, and more advanced features for multi-site or client management, cPanel VPS with WHM is the more reliable option.

Real-World Scenarios to Guide Your Choice

• Solo developer or blogger: If you have a personal project and need a fast, lightweight, and affordable control panel, DirectAdmin is a great choice due to its low resource consumption and cost-effectiveness.
• Hosting company or professional reseller: If you're managing dozens of websites, need account management, monitoring, and integration with WHMCS, cPanel + WHM is the industry-standard solution, offering full features and robust support.
• Small business with a tight budget: If you need a quick and economical hosting setup without the extra complexity, DirectAdmin is well-suited for your needs with its lower monthly costs.
• Experienced tech team with complex infrastructure: If your organization requires advanced customization, layered security, and multi-domain control, cPanel with WHM and tools like JetBackup delivers the best performance and flexibility.
• Startup or fast-growing company: If you anticipate scaling, automation, or reselling hosting services in the future, investing in cPanel from the beginning will save time and effort in the long run.

Before committing, make sure you know What To Consider When Choosing VPS Hosting to avoid common pitfalls