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What is CloudPanel? Fast, free hosting for PHP, Node.js and Python - JAY - 10-07-2026 What can you host on CloudPanel? PHP, Node.js, Python, static sites and reverse proxies CloudPanel is a free control panel built on Nginx, but it isn't only for PHP. When you add a site it offers six site types, and each one gets its own Linux site user and a ready-made Nginx configuration. This guide explains what each type is for and what you'll be asked when you create it, so you can pick the right one first time. For a full introduction, see What is CloudPanel? Complete overview. 1. WordPress Use it for: blogs, business sites and WooCommerce shops. CloudPanel creates the site user, the database and a fully configured WordPress install in one step, with no setup wizard. It pairs well with CloudPanel's built-in Varnish Cache. Step by step: How to install WordPress in CloudPanel. 2. PHP application Use it for: any PHP code: Laravel, Symfony, Magento, Drupal, Joomla, Shopware, PrestaShop, Nextcloud, Moodle, TYPO3 and more. You choose: the Application (Generic or a framework template that sets the right rewrite rules), the domain and the PHP version (7.1 to 8.5, changeable later). Step by step: How to create a PHP site in CloudPanel. 3. Node.js app Use it for: Node.js apps and APIs, for example Ghost or Strapi. You choose: the domain, the Node.js version (LTS versions from 12 to 24) and the App Port your app listens on. Nginx serves the domain and passes requests to that port. Keeping it running: CloudPanel's docs use pm2 as the process manager: Code:Copy npm install pm2@latest -g pm2 start npm --name my-app -- start pm2 save To restart it after a reboot, add a cron job for the site user with Code:Copy @reboot pm2 resurrect (and set PATH in that crontab so Node is found). 4. Python app Use it for: Django, Flask, FastAPI and other Python web apps. You choose: the domain, the Python version (3.12 on Ubuntu 22.04/24.04 and Debian 12; 3.14 on Ubuntu 26.04 and Debian 13) and the App Port. CloudPanel's docs cover running Python apps with uWSGI. 5. Static HTML site Use it for: plain HTML/CSS/JavaScript sites, landing pages and the built output of static site generators (Hugo, Jekyll, Astro, a React or Vue build). You choose: just the domain. Upload your files to the site's htdocs folder and Nginx serves them directly. It's the fastest and simplest option. 6. Reverse proxy Use it for: anything else running on the server or another machine: a Docker container, a Go or Java app, Uptime Kuma, n8n, a self-hosted tool on another port. You choose: the domain, the Reverse Proxy URL (for example Code:Copy http://127.0.0.1:3001 ) and a site user. CloudPanel handles the domain and free SSL, and forwards traffic to that URL. This is also how you run Docker apps with CloudPanel, since it has no built-in Docker manager. Which type should I choose? WordPress site? Use WordPress, not PHP. You get a ready install in one step. PHP framework or shop? Use PHP with the matching application template. App that runs its own server process (Node.js, Python)? Use Node.js or Python with the app's port. Only files, no server code? Use Static HTML. Docker container or any other service? Use Reverse proxy. Good to know Every site type gets its own site user, so sites are isolated from each other. Every type can use a free Let's Encrypt certificate: How to install free SSL in CloudPanel. CloudPanel has no mail server or DNS hosting; use external services for those. Sources (checked October 2026): CloudPanel: Add Site · Technology stack · Node.js with pm2 Not sure which type fits your app? Ask in CloudPanel Getting Started Support. RE: What is CloudPanel? Fast, free hosting for PHP, Node.js and Python - DEV - 10-07-2026 CloudPanel: Features and Frequently Asked Questions Official documentation checked 7 October 2026. This FAQ supplements the introduction above. What is a Web Hosting Control Panel? A hosting control panel is a browser interface for administering websites and the services they use. It helps you perform recurring tasks without manually editing every configuration file. Common tools include site creation, certificates, databases, file access and scheduled jobs. Available features differ between panels: a panel does not automatically include email hosting, DNS hosting or billing. You still need a VPS or dedicated server, a supported operating system and someone responsible for updates, security and recovery. Installing a panel does not turn an unmanaged VPS into a managed hosting service. What is CloudPanel? CloudPanel is a free server management panel focused on web applications. It supports PHP sites, Node.js, Python, static websites and reverse proxies. Its interface is designed to simplify running multiple sites on a server. Useful features include: Site creation and application settings. SSL/TLS certificate management. Database management, file management, SSH/SFTP access and cron jobs. Logs and administrative backup tools. Varnish cache tools for suitable PHP workloads. A command-line tool, clpctl, alongside the browser interface. Check the documentation for the particular application and CloudPanel version; caching still needs correct exclusions for private or personalized pages. What are the minimum system requirements of CloudPanel? The current v2 requirements page lists: At least 1 CPU core. At least 2 GB RAM. At least 10 GB disk. X86 or ARM64 architecture. Ubuntu 26.04, 24.04 or 22.04; Debian 13 or 12. Confirm the requirements before installation. Older homepage FAQs may list older OS versions. These minimums are an installation baseline, not a promise that a busy WordPress store will run comfortably. Allow space for the OS, databases, logs, deployment files and backup staging. Measure your application's resource needs. Who is CloudPanel for? It is worth evaluating for developers, agencies and administrators running websites or applications on their own VPS. It suits a workflow where you want a graphical interface and are prepared to manage the underlying server or purchase management separately. Does CloudPanel include email hosting? CloudPanel does not provide a built-in mailbox service. Use an external email provider or separately operate a supported mail solution. The documentation includes a Mailcow guide, but that is a separate deployment with its own resource and maintenance needs. Website contact forms also need a reliable sending method; having a domain and website does not establish mail delivery. Which is the best VPS hosting Control Panel? There is no universal winner. Start with your actual requirements: application types, mail and DNS needs, customer access, supported OS, recovery workflow, budget and available support. Try a representative site on an isolated test VPS. Compare administration effort and successful restore results rather than marketing speed claims alone. Before installing: Use a clean supported server, keep console access, restrict panel access and plan independent backups. Do not install several hosting panels on the same production VPS to compare them. Official references: CloudPanel introduction; requirements; email documentation.