Comparing DirectAdmin and CPanel

[pravinD]

I have been exploring both control panels. I know they are very similar, yet very different. With DirectAdmin, a bit of work has to be done in the root shell. I found similarity with server configuration framework and UI.

Whats the difference would you guys suggest??

[akshay]

No matter the control panel is needed for a Linux VPS server, dedicated server, or shared hosting, today two control panels dominate the market – cPanel and DirectAdmin.

I will explain to you the difference between Cpanel & Directadmin Control panels.

User Interface Difference:

cPanel together with WHM allows enjoying the flexibility, power, and a big number of options as well as front-end and back end. Therefore, it makes the interface more complicated and difficult to manage than DirectAdmin.

DirectAdmin OS interface is the simplest compare to Cpanel and DirectAdmin uses this fact as one of the main selling points.

OS Compatibility Difference:

cPanel featured only in Linux VPS server hosting, supports Linux systems, and is compatible with RedHat, CloudLinux, and CentOS.

DirectAdmin is advanced compared to cPanel in relation to running on Linux based systems – Debian, RedHat, CentOS, and FreeBSD. Therefore, DirectAdmin advantages the ones who chose Linux server hosting as well as provides better support for Linux environment products.

Functionality:

They both have configurable reseller hosting packages, multiple language packs, availability to manage MySQL databases, phpMyAdmin integration, configurable spam filtering, and more.

PS: Directadmin more beneficial as compared to Cpanel because Personally, I using DirectAdmin & it is easy to use and comes with good UI and Server configuration.

[Keeran]

DirectAdmin and cPanel are very similar, yet very different.

DirectAdmin is a graphical web-based web hosting control panel designed to form the administration of websites easier.

cPanel is a control dashboard that helps you manage your web hosting server using a web-based interface.

Both panels offer a clean, organized, modern GUI. Both are quite modern and facilitate server and domain management via a friendly, easy-to-use interface.

But DirectAdmin's interface seems to be a bit easier with regards to the number of ports and access levels.

cPanel is structured with two different interfaces operating on different ports, each serving different users with different privileges.
cPanel lacks the choice to manage everything in one interface.

At first glance, DirectAdmin's File Manager doesn't appear to have as many options as cPanel's, but many of these features become accessible via tooltips that appear once you are close to select a file or directory that you got to make changes to. So, don't let the simplicity of the display fool you because the features are tucked away nicely and intuitively displayed once you need them.


Cost should be considered along with side resources. Even before Chanel's recent price hikes, DirectAdmin was hardly an underdog. With the changes within the cPanel license costs, DirectAdmin is in an exceedingly prime position to take the lead.

several other factors why DirectAdmin won this comparison are :

1. DirectAdmin is one of the simplest control panels and functions as a light-weight option.

2. Easily build and control many web sites.

3. DirectAdmin features a user-friendly admin area.

4. DirectAdmin allows the acquisition of a Lifetime License that gives unlimited domain support, periodic control panel updates, and more.

5. It has practically had every feature you would like to set your website on a shared website hosting.


Before you decide on a panel, you want to know which option is best for your hosting needs. I hope all the above overviews assist you when checking out web panels to satisfy your personal or professional website management needs.

[Samantha]

I agree that they are very similar and very different too.
Hosting is a core part of the website and when it comes to your hosting account, you need to know about the best i.e. Direct Admin or c-pannel account which is the best and what they offer?

After operating the system, the control panel is the second most important software choice you will make for the success of your web presence. While cPanel is the clear leader in market share, DirectAdmin is often regarded as the next best. Like other control panels, it comes with its unique set of installation requirements and sports a handful of features that are not available in cPanel at the moment. DirectAdmin features a web-based graphical user interface that includes all the basic features that a control panel must-have.

DirectAdmin offers 3 access levels: Admin, Reseller, User. You can even add a fourth e-mail level supported by an official free plugin. Please see below for the features provided by each access level and general features of DirectAdmin.

Advantages of Direct Admin:

Cheap: DirectAdmin is the cheapest among the top five control panels out there. Even though it costs less than the competition, it does not skimp on functions, reliability, or security.

Speed: it was designed to be fast and compact. The load on the resources is quite low. In restricted hosting environments, it leaves more resources for your website.

Stability: known for being stable, DirectAdmin needs low maintenance. It uses minimal code. It is easy to expand and maintain. The unplanned downtime is usually low because it recovers automatically after a crash. More often than not, you can modify it without downtime.

Usability: cPanel can be overwhelming for a first time user. DirectAdmin benefits from its simple interface. Three main categories "Your account", "Email management" and "Advanced features" keep things simple and organized.

Manual configuration: it offers most server configuration through the UI, but DirectAdmin users have to manually configure the root shell. Some server admins prefer to have that kind of control over the root shell compared to the automated approach of cPanel. Needless to say, it is popular among VPS and dedicated server admins.

[Ritu]

DirectAdmin is a good choice if you have a low configuration server and skill, but cPanel is a good choice if you are going to use the server to host client websites. cPanel is more popular for end-user and it widely used control panel and has an easy interface.

[pravinD]

Thanks. With so much description, I can conclude that if you have low configurations server and you have skill, DirectAdmin is good choice but if you are going to use the server to host clients websites, cPanel is good choice. cPanel is more popular for end user and it has easy interface and widely used control panel.

DirectAdmin and cPanel are very similar, yet very different.

DirectAdmin is a graphical web-based web hosting control panel designed to form the administration of websites easier.

cPanel is a control dashboard that helps you manage your web hosting server using a web-based interface.

Both panels offer a clean, organized, modern GUI. Both are quite modern and facilitate server and domain management via a friendly, easy-to-use interface.

But DirectAdmin's interface seems to be a bit easier with regards to the number of ports and access levels.

cPanel is structured with two different interfaces operating on different ports, each serving different users with different privileges.
cPanel lacks the choice to manage everything in one interface.

At first glance, DirectAdmin's File Manager doesn't appear to have as many options as cPanel's, but many of these features become accessible via tooltips that appear once you are close to select a file or directory that you got to make changes to. So, don't let the simplicity of the display fool you because the features are tucked away nicely and intuitively displayed once you need them.


Cost should be considered along with side resources. Even before Chanel's recent price hikes, DirectAdmin was hardly an underdog. With the changes within the cPanel license costs, DirectAdmin is in an exceedingly prime position to take the lead.

several other factors why DirectAdmin won this comparison are :

1. DirectAdmin is one of the simplest control panels and functions as a light-weight option.

2. Easily build and control many web sites.

3. DirectAdmin features a user-friendly admin area.

4. DirectAdmin allows the acquisition of a Lifetime License that gives unlimited domain support, periodic control panel updates, and more.

5. It has practically had every feature you would like to set your website on a shared website hosting.


Before you decide on a panel, you want to know which option is best for your hosting needs. I hope all the above overviews assist you when checking out web panels to satisfy your personal or professional website management needs.