When I first stepped into the world of web hosting, cPanel was the default go-to. It was sleek, powerful, and—well—incredibly expensive. As a beginner, I didn’t question much. If it was popular, it must be the best, right?

Fast-forward a few years, and experience (plus server bills) taught me differently. I’ve since tried a wide range of panels—from CyberPanel to Webmin/Virtualmin—and I can say confidently:

Virtualmin is the best free web control panel I’ve used.

Let me explain why.

1. cPanel: Powerful but Pricey

There’s no denying cPanel’s power and ease of use. It’s practically industry-standard, especially for commercial shared hosting. But once you move to VPS or dedicated servers—especially if you manage multiple domains—the cost becomes a serious burden.

And as someone who self-hosts or manages multiple small projects, that monthly licensing fee adds up fast.

2. CyberPanel: A Decent Free Option, But…

CyberPanel is a modern-looking alternative, built on OpenLiteSpeed. It’s fast and beginner-friendly.

However:

  • I found it to be a bit buggy at times

  • It’s not as flexible when managing complex server tasks

  • And it locks you somewhat into its own ecosystem (LiteSpeed focus)

Still, it’s a solid choice for specific use cases like WordPress or single-site deployments.

3. Webmin + Virtualmin: Free, Flexible, and Functional

Here’s where I found my comfort zone.

Virtualmin, built on top of Webmin, offers:

  • Zero cost licensing

  • A feature-rich panel (almost everything cPanel offers)

  • Great multi-domain and multi-user management

  • Native Let’s Encrypt SSL, DNS, Email, Cron, and Database tools

  • Compatibility with Debian, Ubuntu, CentOS, and more

  • Low resource usage—even on modest VPS setups

It may not win a beauty contest out-of-the-box, but it wins where it counts: control, freedom, and reliability.

4. Why I Prefer Virtualmin Now

  • I can host multiple websites for free

  • It’s ideal for developers or tech-savvy users who don’t mind a small learning curve

  • It gives me full root-level control with all the automation I need

  • It doesn’t hide or restrict advanced Linux settings behind paywalls

  • Community and documentation are surprisingly good

And most importantly:

It gives me peace of mind without draining my wallet.

5. Is It for Everyone?

If you’re a total beginner who wants plug-and-play simplicity, cPanel still has value (if you can afford it).
If you’re hosting just a WordPress site or two and want something modern-looking, CyberPanel might suit you.
But if you’re managing your own VPS, care about performance, control, and don’t want to be trapped in a subscription—you should definitely give Virtualmin a try.

Conclusion

After years of exploring different hosting panels, I’ve learned that popularity doesn’t always equal practicality. Virtualmin may not be hyped like cPanel, but it quietly does the job—efficiently, securely, and for free.

And for someone who loves learning, controlling my own server environment, and optimizing cost, that’s exactly what I need.

The best tool isn’t the one with the fanciest UI—it’s the one that fits your needs and respects your freedom.