Pros and Cons of Using cPanel on a VPS Server

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If you want to manage your websites manually on a VPS server, it can be a real hassle, especially if you don’t have the technical skills or don’t want to wrestle with Linux commands. cPanel can make life a lot easier as it gives us an interface where we can manage our websites efficiently and from one place. Let’s learn more about cPanel VPS pros and cons, costs, and some alternatives.

What is cPanel on a VPS Server?

A VPS server gives you a virtual environment, which you can use to run and manage multiple websites or web applications. You can install different control panels on your VPS server. One of the most popular choices is cPanel, which gives you two interfaces: cPanel, a simple dashboard for managing your websites, and WHM (WebHost Manager) for managing the server. 

cPanel license prices in 2025

Most Linux-based VPS providers have cPanel already installed. In any case, if you want to know the prices, here you can see the approximate cPanel license prices in 2025:

Note: The solo plan is the most purchased one, which had a great price increase compared to last year, while other plans became cheaper or slightly more expensive.

Advantages of Using cPanel on VPS

After learning about cPanel VPS hosting and license costs, let’s see what the benefits of cPanel on VPS are: 

Clean, user-friendly interface

Its intuitive dashboard makes tasks much simpler. Easily manage different settings using just a few clicks, without needing command-line skills or advanced technical knowledge. Use the search/filter option to easily navigate between different sections. 

Extensive tools and features

cPanel gives you a robust set of tools and features. 

• Easy installation: Use Softaculous to easily install popular apps, like WordPress or Joomla, with just one click.

• File management: You have a built-in file manager and can use drag-and-drop. 

• Email management: Easily do tasks like account creation and forwarding.

• Backup and restore: It gives you the option to schedule automatic backups and restores.

• Database management: You can manage databases like MariaDB or MySQL through the interface.  

Enhanced security

It gives you CSF for advanced firewall protection, cPHulk to prevent malicious login attempts, SSL/TLS management for secure connections, ModSecurity integration for web application protection, password-protected directories, and IP blocking capabilities.

WHM for root control

WebHost Manager provides an interface through which you can have access to server-level tools, like assigning resource limits and configuring nameservers. You also get full administrative privileges and can control every aspect of the VPS, like creating and modifying cPanel accounts.

Time efficiency

Learning and using a command-line can be really time-consuming. cPanel can save tons of time by providing a clean visual interface. It’s also much more consistent, especially when you want to change your VPS provider.

Multi-site management and scalability

You have a simple, centralized dashboard where you can easily manage multiple domains and subdomains. Each cPanel account has its own permissions and PHP configurations. It also allows you to upgrade resources as your business grows.

Resource monitoring

In cPanel, you can use different monitoring tools. You can monitor metrics like CPU, RAM, and storage in real-time from your dashboard. Resource usage data helps you to do capacity planning and forecasting to handle growth without downtime. Review error logs to monitor VPS health and website performance.  

If you want a complete guide on installing cPanel on your VPS, check out How to Install cPanel.

Disadvantages of cPanel on VPS

We learned about some benefits of cPanel on a VPS and the features it brings to the table, but it also has its disadvantages:

Resource-intensive

cPanel needs tons of resources and can greatly impact VPS performance. High memory usage for plugins and themes, especially in applications like WordPress. 

Stability 

Updates add new features, but there is also a risk of data loss or downtime during major updates, which might need adjustments. Also, complex file structures make recovery and troubleshooting difficult. 

Limited customization

cPanel has limited customization options, especially for advanced users. It’s commercial and proprietary, which makes migrating to and using other alternatives difficult. Also, the fixed interface design forces you to use the same menus and navigation.

Reliance on cPanel for troubleshooting

There are some limitations when it comes to troubleshooting, because it’s heavily dependent on cPanel tools. If you don’t have in-depth knowledge and try to fix a problem, it may lead to data loss or reduced cPanel VPS performance.

Ideal Use Cases for cPanel VPS hosting

After exploring cPanel VPS pros and cons, you may wonder where cPanel can be used:

• For people who own small to medium businesses.

• Those who don’t have advanced server administration skills 

• If you want to host multiple domains easily

• Suitable for web developers looking for a GUI interface because it comes with WHM and one-click installers.

• It can also be a great option for online stores because of its reliable SSL and secure payment processing. 

If you have already installed cPanel on your VPS and want to know more about how to use it, visit How to Use and Manage the cPanel.  

Alternatives to VPS with cPanel

If you are looking for other alternatives, there are some other popular choices, like Plesk, DirectAdmin, Webmin, etc. Here is a comparison between cPanel and other preferred control panels: 

Want an in-depth comparison between cPanel and DirectAdmin? Click on DirectAdmin vs. cPanel.

Also, if you want to know about the best choices when it comes to control panels, take a look at Best VPS Control Panels.

How to Choose the Right VPS Hosting Plan with cPanel?

There are some things you should consider when choosing your VPS hosting with cPanel:

Required VPS resources

• CPU: Your VPS needs it for handling a number of simultaneous tasks. For basic websites, you would need 1 core, but we recommend 2-4 cores for multiple sites and dynamic apps.

• RAM: It determines how many visitors your VPS can handle. For simple, static sites, 1 GB would suffice, but ideally, 2-4 GB is needed for dynamic content or moderate traffic. Go for 8 GB for high traffic or heavy apps.

• Storage: Provides disk space for website files and backups. The minimum is 20 GB of SSD, but for larger websites, 40 GB is usually recommended.

• Bandwidth: It’s the amount of data transferred per month. If you have lower traffic, you can go for 500GB per month, but for multiple sites or higher traffic, go for 1 TB per month.

cPanel License 

You can choose different subscriptions, such as Solo, Admin, Pro, or Premier, considering the number of cPanel accounts you need. In Solo, you can only have 1 cPanel account for almost $20 a month. Admin lets you have up to 5 accounts for about $26. With Pro and Premier subscriptions, you can have more accounts for a higher price per month.

Cost considerations

cPanel VPS server cost includes the VPS plan and cPanel license. High-tier VPS servers with more resources will cost more. cPanel plans are separate from your VPS hosting and depend on the number of your accounts.

Final Thoughts

Having a clean, intuitive dashboard for managing your websites and their settings can make your workflow much more efficient. cPanel ensures you will have a smooth experience, paired with enhanced security and robust features. 

Make sure your VPS server comes with cPanel support, high uptime, reliability, scalability, and 24/7 customer support. Ensure the hardware quality is sufficient for what you need. MonoVM offers the best VPS for cPanel, which includes all these features, giving you a stable and powerful hosting environment.

Buy a cPanel VPS hosting from MonoVM and start instantly.