<![CDATA[AdminsForum - CloudPanel Getting Started Guides]]> https://adminsforum.com/ Thu, 15 Oct 2026 07:04:50 +0000 MyBB <![CDATA[CloudPanel System Requirements (2026): OS, CPU, RAM, Disk and Ports]]> https://adminsforum.com/Thread-guide-cloudpanel-system-requirements-2026-os-cpu-ram-disk-and-ports Wed, 14 Oct 2026 18:49:33 +0800 DEV]]> https://adminsforum.com/Thread-guide-cloudpanel-system-requirements-2026-os-cpu-ram-disk-and-ports CloudPanel system requirements (2026): OS, CPU, RAM, disk and ports

Before you install CloudPanel, check that your server meets these requirements. They're taken from the official docs for CloudPanel 2.5.4 and checked against our own test install on Ubuntu 24.04.

Minimum requirements at a glance
  • Operating system: Ubuntu 26.04, 24.04 or 22.04 LTS; Debian 13 or 12.
  • Architecture: x86 (x86_64) or ARM64.
  • CPU: 1 core or more.
  • Memory: 2 GB RAM or more.
  • Disk: 10 GB or more.
  • Server type: a virtual machine or dedicated server. LXC, LXD and OpenVZ containers are not supported.
  • Access: root access to a clean, freshly installed server.

Supported operating systems
  • Ubuntu 26.04 LTS (Resolute Raccoon)
  • Ubuntu 24.04 LTS (Noble Numbat): the one we use in our guides
  • Ubuntu 22.04 LTS (Jammy Jellyfish)
  • Debian 13 (Trixie)
  • Debian 12 (Bookworm)
Older releases such as Ubuntu 20.04 and Debian 11 aren't on the current list. Other distributions (AlmaLinux, Rocky Linux, CentOS) are not supported.

Here's our test server before installing: Ubuntu 24.04.5 LTS, 4 cores, 7.8 GB RAM and a 73 GB disk.

.jpg   cpr-01-test-server.jpg (Size: 67.84 KB / Downloads: 10)

What gets installed (by OS)
Ubuntu 24.04, Ubuntu 22.04 and Debian 12: Nginx 1.30, PHP 7.1 to 8.5, MySQL 8.4 or 8.0 / MariaDB 11.8, 11.4 or 10.11, Redis 7, Varnish 7.5, ProFTPD 1.3, Node.js 12 to 24, Python 3.12.
Ubuntu 26.04 and Debian 13: Nginx 1.30, PHP 7.1 to 8.5, MySQL 8.4 / MariaDB 12.3 or 11.8, Redis 8, Varnish 7.7, ProFTPD 1.3, Node.js 12 to 24, Python 3.14.
You pick the database engine when you run the installer, so decide between MySQL and MariaDB before you start.

How much RAM do you really need?
2 GB is the official minimum, and it's a real one: CloudPanel installs a full stack, including a PHP-FPM service for every PHP version, MySQL/MariaDB, Redis and Varnish. On our 8 GB server with two sites, a few hours after install, 1.95 GB was in use, mostly MySQL's buffer pool (~970 MB), which is sized from the server's RAM.

.jpg   cpr-03-memory-used.jpg (Size: 88.66 KB / Downloads: 10)

Our practical guidance (not an official figure):
  • 2 GB: fine for one or two small sites or a test server.
  • 4 GB: a comfortable start for several WordPress or PHP sites.
  • 8 GB or more: busy shops, many sites, or heavy Varnish caching.
Disk: 10 GB is enough to install, but leave room for your sites, databases, logs and local backup files; 25 GB or more is more realistic.

Network and ports
CloudPanel's default firewall rules allow these ports. Make sure your cloud provider's firewall / security group allows them too:
  • 22 SSH/SFTP
  • 80 HTTP (also needed for Let's Encrypt validation)
  • 443 HTTPS
  • 8443 the CloudPanel interface

.jpg   cpr-06-default-firewall.jpg (Size: 104.35 KB / Downloads: 10)
Important: right after installation, anyone who reaches port 8443 can create the admin user. If you can, allow 8443 only from your own IP before you install, and create the admin user immediately.

You'll also want a public IPv4 address and, for real sites, a domain with an A record pointing to the server (needed for Let's Encrypt SSL).

Supported cloud providers
CloudPanel has dedicated install guides for Amazon Web Services, Google Compute Engine, Microsoft Azure, Oracle Cloud, DigitalOcean, Hetzner Cloud, Vultr, Hostinger and Donweb Cloud. Any other VPS or dedicated server that meets the requirements works with the generic installer.

Pre-install checklist
  1. A fresh server with a supported OS, no other web server, database or panel installed.
  2. Root SSH access.
  3. 2 GB+ RAM, 10 GB+ disk, x86 or ARM64.
  4. Ports 22, 80, 443 and 8443 open (8443 ideally only for your IP).
  5. Update the system:
    Code:
    apt update && apt -y upgrade && apt -y install curl wget sudo
  6. Download the installer and verify its SHA-256 checksum. Copy the current command and checksum from the official install docs, as it changes with each release.
This is what a passed checksum looks like on our server:

.jpg   cpr-02-checksum-ok.jpg (Size: 49.63 KB / Downloads: 10)

If the system update installed a new kernel, the installer may show a pending kernel upgrade notice. That's normal; reboot when convenient.

.jpg   cpr-04-kernel-notice.jpg (Size: 194.73 KB / Downloads: 10)

After install, open
Code:
https://YOUR_SERVER_IP:8443
, accept the self-signed certificate and create your admin user.

.jpg   cpr-05-first-login.jpg (Size: 58.52 KB / Downloads: 10)

Sources (checked October 2026): CloudPanel requirements · Technology stack · Install docs

Next: see What is CloudPanel? and CloudPanel features: the complete list.

Not sure if your server qualifies? Post your provider, OS and plan in CloudPanel Getting Started Support.

CloudPanel guide series
  1. What is CloudPanel? Complete overview
  2. CloudPanel system requirements (you are here)
  3. CloudPanel features: the complete list
  4. How to create a PHP site
  5. How to install free Let's Encrypt SSL
  6. How to install WordPress (one-click)
  7. Databases, users and phpMyAdmin
  8. SSH, SFTP, FTP and File Manager
  9. Cron jobs, logs and Varnish Cache
  10. Backups, firewall and Basic Auth
]]> CloudPanel system requirements (2026): OS, CPU, RAM, disk and ports

Before you install CloudPanel, check that your server meets these requirements. They're taken from the official docs for CloudPanel 2.5.4 and checked against our own test install on Ubuntu 24.04.

Minimum requirements at a glance
  • Operating system: Ubuntu 26.04, 24.04 or 22.04 LTS; Debian 13 or 12.
  • Architecture: x86 (x86_64) or ARM64.
  • CPU: 1 core or more.
  • Memory: 2 GB RAM or more.
  • Disk: 10 GB or more.
  • Server type: a virtual machine or dedicated server. LXC, LXD and OpenVZ containers are not supported.
  • Access: root access to a clean, freshly installed server.

Supported operating systems
  • Ubuntu 26.04 LTS (Resolute Raccoon)
  • Ubuntu 24.04 LTS (Noble Numbat): the one we use in our guides
  • Ubuntu 22.04 LTS (Jammy Jellyfish)
  • Debian 13 (Trixie)
  • Debian 12 (Bookworm)
Older releases such as Ubuntu 20.04 and Debian 11 aren't on the current list. Other distributions (AlmaLinux, Rocky Linux, CentOS) are not supported.

Here's our test server before installing: Ubuntu 24.04.5 LTS, 4 cores, 7.8 GB RAM and a 73 GB disk.

.jpg   cpr-01-test-server.jpg (Size: 67.84 KB / Downloads: 10)

What gets installed (by OS)
Ubuntu 24.04, Ubuntu 22.04 and Debian 12: Nginx 1.30, PHP 7.1 to 8.5, MySQL 8.4 or 8.0 / MariaDB 11.8, 11.4 or 10.11, Redis 7, Varnish 7.5, ProFTPD 1.3, Node.js 12 to 24, Python 3.12.
Ubuntu 26.04 and Debian 13: Nginx 1.30, PHP 7.1 to 8.5, MySQL 8.4 / MariaDB 12.3 or 11.8, Redis 8, Varnish 7.7, ProFTPD 1.3, Node.js 12 to 24, Python 3.14.
You pick the database engine when you run the installer, so decide between MySQL and MariaDB before you start.

How much RAM do you really need?
2 GB is the official minimum, and it's a real one: CloudPanel installs a full stack, including a PHP-FPM service for every PHP version, MySQL/MariaDB, Redis and Varnish. On our 8 GB server with two sites, a few hours after install, 1.95 GB was in use, mostly MySQL's buffer pool (~970 MB), which is sized from the server's RAM.

.jpg   cpr-03-memory-used.jpg (Size: 88.66 KB / Downloads: 10)

Our practical guidance (not an official figure):
  • 2 GB: fine for one or two small sites or a test server.
  • 4 GB: a comfortable start for several WordPress or PHP sites.
  • 8 GB or more: busy shops, many sites, or heavy Varnish caching.
Disk: 10 GB is enough to install, but leave room for your sites, databases, logs and local backup files; 25 GB or more is more realistic.

Network and ports
CloudPanel's default firewall rules allow these ports. Make sure your cloud provider's firewall / security group allows them too:
  • 22 SSH/SFTP
  • 80 HTTP (also needed for Let's Encrypt validation)
  • 443 HTTPS
  • 8443 the CloudPanel interface

.jpg   cpr-06-default-firewall.jpg (Size: 104.35 KB / Downloads: 10)
Important: right after installation, anyone who reaches port 8443 can create the admin user. If you can, allow 8443 only from your own IP before you install, and create the admin user immediately.

You'll also want a public IPv4 address and, for real sites, a domain with an A record pointing to the server (needed for Let's Encrypt SSL).

Supported cloud providers
CloudPanel has dedicated install guides for Amazon Web Services, Google Compute Engine, Microsoft Azure, Oracle Cloud, DigitalOcean, Hetzner Cloud, Vultr, Hostinger and Donweb Cloud. Any other VPS or dedicated server that meets the requirements works with the generic installer.

Pre-install checklist
  1. A fresh server with a supported OS, no other web server, database or panel installed.
  2. Root SSH access.
  3. 2 GB+ RAM, 10 GB+ disk, x86 or ARM64.
  4. Ports 22, 80, 443 and 8443 open (8443 ideally only for your IP).
  5. Update the system:
    Code:
    apt update && apt -y upgrade && apt -y install curl wget sudo
  6. Download the installer and verify its SHA-256 checksum. Copy the current command and checksum from the official install docs, as it changes with each release.
This is what a passed checksum looks like on our server:

.jpg   cpr-02-checksum-ok.jpg (Size: 49.63 KB / Downloads: 10)

If the system update installed a new kernel, the installer may show a pending kernel upgrade notice. That's normal; reboot when convenient.

.jpg   cpr-04-kernel-notice.jpg (Size: 194.73 KB / Downloads: 10)

After install, open
Code:
https://YOUR_SERVER_IP:8443
, accept the self-signed certificate and create your admin user.

.jpg   cpr-05-first-login.jpg (Size: 58.52 KB / Downloads: 10)

Sources (checked October 2026): CloudPanel requirements · Technology stack · Install docs

Next: see What is CloudPanel? and CloudPanel features: the complete list.

Not sure if your server qualifies? Post your provider, OS and plan in CloudPanel Getting Started Support.

CloudPanel guide series
  1. What is CloudPanel? Complete overview
  2. CloudPanel system requirements (you are here)
  3. CloudPanel features: the complete list
  4. How to create a PHP site
  5. How to install free Let's Encrypt SSL
  6. How to install WordPress (one-click)
  7. Databases, users and phpMyAdmin
  8. SSH, SFTP, FTP and File Manager
  9. Cron jobs, logs and Varnish Cache
  10. Backups, firewall and Basic Auth
]]> <![CDATA[CloudPanel Features: The Complete List (2026)]]> https://adminsforum.com/Thread-guide-cloudpanel-features-the-complete-list-2026 Wed, 14 Oct 2026 18:48:20 +0800 DEV]]> https://adminsforum.com/Thread-guide-cloudpanel-features-the-complete-list-2026 CloudPanel features: the complete list (2026)

This is every major CloudPanel feature in one place, grouped the way you'll use them, with real screenshots from our CloudPanel 2.5.4 server on Ubuntu 24.04. New to CloudPanel? Start with What is CloudPanel? Complete overview.

Quick summary
  • Sites: WordPress, PHP, Node.js, Python, static and reverse proxy, each with its own Linux user.
  • Stack: Nginx 1.30 (HTTP/3), PHP 7.1 to 8.5, MySQL or MariaDB, Redis, Varnish Cache, ProFTPD.
  • Per site: PHP settings, Nginx vhost editor, databases, free SSL, security rules, SSH/FTP users, file manager, cron jobs and logs.
  • Server: panel users and roles, events, services, remote backups, UFW firewall, Basic Auth, 2FA and a custom panel domain.
  • Automation: the
    Code:
    clpctl
    command-line tool.

1. Sites and applications
Six site types. Add a WordPress site, a PHP site, a Node.js site, a Python site, a static HTML site or a reverse proxy. Each runs in its own isolated environment under its own site user.

.jpg   cpf-01-site-types.jpg (Size: 91.53 KB / Downloads: 7)

Application templates. For PHP sites you pick an application and CloudPanel writes a matching Nginx configuration: Generic, WordPress, WooCommerce, Laravel, Symfony, Magento, Shopware, Drupal, Joomla, TYPO3, Nextcloud, Moodle, PrestaShop and more. CloudPanel says it ships 30+ configured vhost templates.

.jpg   cpf-02-php-site-form.jpg (Size: 87.73 KB / Downloads: 7)

One-click WordPress. Enter the domain, title and admin user, and CloudPanel creates the site user, database and a ready WordPress install, then shows all credentials once on one page.

.jpg   cpf-07-wordpress-created.jpg (Size: 107.84 KB / Downloads: 7)

Node.js and Python. Node.js 12 to 24 (LTS versions) and Python 3.12 (3.14 on Ubuntu 26.04 and Debian 13), served behind Nginx. The docs cover pm2 for Node.js and uWSGI for Python.

2. PHP
Every PHP version from 7.1 to 8.5, each with its own PHP-FPM service, running side by side. Switch a site's version from a dropdown at any time.

.jpg   cpf-04-php-fpm-versions.jpg (Size: 89.52 KB / Downloads: 7)

Per-site PHP settings: memory_limit, max_execution_time, max_input_time, max_input_vars, post_max_size and upload_max_filesize, without editing php.ini.

.jpg   cpf-03-php-settings.jpg (Size: 110.36 KB / Downloads: 7)

3. Nginx vhost editor
Each site's Vhost tab shows its full Nginx configuration, so you can add redirects, headers or custom rules when you need to. CloudPanel fills in placeholders such as certificate paths for you.

.jpg   cpf-05-nginx-vhost.jpg (Size: 108.72 KB / Downloads: 7)

4. Free SSL/TLS
Issue a free Let's Encrypt certificate from the SSL/TLS tab (including the www name and other aliases); CloudPanel renews it automatically. You can also import a certificate you bought elsewhere.

.jpg   cpf-06-ssl-installed.jpg (Size: 106.55 KB / Downloads: 6)

5. Databases and phpMyAdmin
Databases belong to a site. Add a database and user in one form, create extra users with Read and Write or Read Only access, and open phpMyAdmin with one click, already logged in. At install you choose MySQL (our server runs Percona Server 8.4) or MariaDB. Admins can also add a remote database server.

.jpg   cpf-08-databases.jpg (Size: 104.64 KB / Downloads: 6)

.jpg   cpf-09-phpmyadmin.jpg (Size: 178.15 KB / Downloads: 7)

6. Varnish Cache
Built-in full-page caching for PHP sites, switched on per site, with a cache lifetime and excluded parameters. For WordPress, the CLP Varnish Cache plugin purges the cache when you publish. Great for content sites; test carefully on shops and member areas.

.jpg   cpf-14-varnish-cache.jpg (Size: 103.92 KB / Downloads: 7)

7. SSH, SFTP, FTP and File Manager
Each site user can log in over SSH/SFTP with a password or SSH keys. Add extra SSH or FTP users for developers without sharing the main login.

.jpg   cpf-10-ssh-ftp-users.jpg (Size: 97.02 KB / Downloads: 7)

The browser File Manager lets you upload, create, edit, rename, compress and extract files and see owners and permissions.

.jpg   cpf-11-file-manager.jpg (Size: 132.72 KB / Downloads: 7)

8. Cron jobs and logs
Schedule cron jobs per site with ready-made schedule templates; they run as the site user. The Logs tab shows Nginx and PHP access and error logs right in the panel.

.jpg   cpf-12-cron-jobs.jpg (Size: 98.57 KB / Downloads: 6)

.jpg   cpf-13-logs.jpg (Size: 148.44 KB / Downloads: 7)

9. Security
Per site: block IP addresses (IPv4 and IPv6), block bots by name, protect staging sites with Basic Auth, and allow traffic only through Cloudflare.

.jpg   cpf-15-site-security.jpg (Size: 96.39 KB / Downloads: 6)

Server-wide: a UFW firewall with add/edit/delete rules (best practice: allow port 8443 only from your IP), Basic Auth in front of the panel, two-factor authentication for panel logins, and site isolation by Linux user. fail2ban was running on our server too.

.jpg   cpf-16-firewall.jpg (Size: 104.35 KB / Downloads: 6)

10. Backups
Scheduled remote backups of every site's files and vhost to Amazon S3, Wasabi, DigitalOcean Spaces, Dropbox, Google Drive (Workspace), Hetzner Storage Box, SFTP or any Rclone remote. On supported clouds CloudPanel can also make whole-instance snapshots.

.jpg   cpf-17-remote-backups.jpg (Size: 87.42 KB / Downloads: 7)

11. Server management
  • Dashboard monitoring: CPU, memory, disk and load average charts.
  • Instance: the status of MySQL, Nginx, every PHP-FPM version, Redis and Varnish, with restart buttons and a server reboot.
  • Users and roles: Admin (everything), Site Manager (all sites, no Admin Area) and User (only assigned sites).
  • Events: a history of actions taken in the panel.
  • Custom panel domain: move the panel from IP:8443 to a domain such as cp.example.com with a Let's Encrypt certificate.
  • Interface: dark mode and many interface languages.

.jpg   cpf-19-monitoring.jpg (Size: 95.87 KB / Downloads: 6)

.jpg   cpf-18-instance-services.jpg (Size: 98.79 KB / Downloads: 7)

.jpg   cpf-20-custom-domain.jpg (Size: 103.3 KB / Downloads: 7)

12. Command line: clpctl
As root, the clpctl command-line tool can add sites, databases, certificates and users, manage vhost templates and toggle Basic Auth. The main commands:
Code:
# sites site:add:php site:add:nodejs site:add:python site:add:static site:add:reverse-proxy site:delete # databases db:add db:export db:import db:show:master-credentials # certificates lets-encrypt:install:certificate site:install:certificate # panel users user:add user:list user:reset:password user:disable:mfa # panel access cloudpanel:enable:basic-auth cloudpanel:disable:basic-auth
Run clpctl with no arguments to list every command and its options. See CloudPanel: getting started with the clpctl command.

What's not included
No mail server, no DNS hosting, no Apache/LiteSpeed, no app store and no Docker manager. CloudPanel leaves those to dedicated services on purpose.

Sources (checked October 2026): cloudpanel.io · Technology stack · Backups · Users · Site security · clpctl root commands

Which feature do you use most? Questions go in CloudPanel Support & Troubleshooting.

CloudPanel guide series
  1. What is CloudPanel? Complete overview
  2. CloudPanel system requirements
  3. CloudPanel features: the complete list (you are here)
  4. How to create a PHP site
  5. How to install free Let's Encrypt SSL
  6. How to install WordPress (one-click)
  7. Databases, users and phpMyAdmin
  8. SSH, SFTP, FTP and File Manager
  9. Cron jobs, logs and Varnish Cache
  10. Backups, firewall and Basic Auth
]]> CloudPanel features: the complete list (2026)

This is every major CloudPanel feature in one place, grouped the way you'll use them, with real screenshots from our CloudPanel 2.5.4 server on Ubuntu 24.04. New to CloudPanel? Start with What is CloudPanel? Complete overview.

Quick summary
  • Sites: WordPress, PHP, Node.js, Python, static and reverse proxy, each with its own Linux user.
  • Stack: Nginx 1.30 (HTTP/3), PHP 7.1 to 8.5, MySQL or MariaDB, Redis, Varnish Cache, ProFTPD.
  • Per site: PHP settings, Nginx vhost editor, databases, free SSL, security rules, SSH/FTP users, file manager, cron jobs and logs.
  • Server: panel users and roles, events, services, remote backups, UFW firewall, Basic Auth, 2FA and a custom panel domain.
  • Automation: the
    Code:
    clpctl
    command-line tool.

1. Sites and applications
Six site types. Add a WordPress site, a PHP site, a Node.js site, a Python site, a static HTML site or a reverse proxy. Each runs in its own isolated environment under its own site user.

.jpg   cpf-01-site-types.jpg (Size: 91.53 KB / Downloads: 7)

Application templates. For PHP sites you pick an application and CloudPanel writes a matching Nginx configuration: Generic, WordPress, WooCommerce, Laravel, Symfony, Magento, Shopware, Drupal, Joomla, TYPO3, Nextcloud, Moodle, PrestaShop and more. CloudPanel says it ships 30+ configured vhost templates.

.jpg   cpf-02-php-site-form.jpg (Size: 87.73 KB / Downloads: 7)

One-click WordPress. Enter the domain, title and admin user, and CloudPanel creates the site user, database and a ready WordPress install, then shows all credentials once on one page.

.jpg   cpf-07-wordpress-created.jpg (Size: 107.84 KB / Downloads: 7)

Node.js and Python. Node.js 12 to 24 (LTS versions) and Python 3.12 (3.14 on Ubuntu 26.04 and Debian 13), served behind Nginx. The docs cover pm2 for Node.js and uWSGI for Python.

2. PHP
Every PHP version from 7.1 to 8.5, each with its own PHP-FPM service, running side by side. Switch a site's version from a dropdown at any time.

.jpg   cpf-04-php-fpm-versions.jpg (Size: 89.52 KB / Downloads: 7)

Per-site PHP settings: memory_limit, max_execution_time, max_input_time, max_input_vars, post_max_size and upload_max_filesize, without editing php.ini.

.jpg   cpf-03-php-settings.jpg (Size: 110.36 KB / Downloads: 7)

3. Nginx vhost editor
Each site's Vhost tab shows its full Nginx configuration, so you can add redirects, headers or custom rules when you need to. CloudPanel fills in placeholders such as certificate paths for you.

.jpg   cpf-05-nginx-vhost.jpg (Size: 108.72 KB / Downloads: 7)

4. Free SSL/TLS
Issue a free Let's Encrypt certificate from the SSL/TLS tab (including the www name and other aliases); CloudPanel renews it automatically. You can also import a certificate you bought elsewhere.

.jpg   cpf-06-ssl-installed.jpg (Size: 106.55 KB / Downloads: 6)

5. Databases and phpMyAdmin
Databases belong to a site. Add a database and user in one form, create extra users with Read and Write or Read Only access, and open phpMyAdmin with one click, already logged in. At install you choose MySQL (our server runs Percona Server 8.4) or MariaDB. Admins can also add a remote database server.

.jpg   cpf-08-databases.jpg (Size: 104.64 KB / Downloads: 6)

.jpg   cpf-09-phpmyadmin.jpg (Size: 178.15 KB / Downloads: 7)

6. Varnish Cache
Built-in full-page caching for PHP sites, switched on per site, with a cache lifetime and excluded parameters. For WordPress, the CLP Varnish Cache plugin purges the cache when you publish. Great for content sites; test carefully on shops and member areas.

.jpg   cpf-14-varnish-cache.jpg (Size: 103.92 KB / Downloads: 7)

7. SSH, SFTP, FTP and File Manager
Each site user can log in over SSH/SFTP with a password or SSH keys. Add extra SSH or FTP users for developers without sharing the main login.

.jpg   cpf-10-ssh-ftp-users.jpg (Size: 97.02 KB / Downloads: 7)

The browser File Manager lets you upload, create, edit, rename, compress and extract files and see owners and permissions.

.jpg   cpf-11-file-manager.jpg (Size: 132.72 KB / Downloads: 7)

8. Cron jobs and logs
Schedule cron jobs per site with ready-made schedule templates; they run as the site user. The Logs tab shows Nginx and PHP access and error logs right in the panel.

.jpg   cpf-12-cron-jobs.jpg (Size: 98.57 KB / Downloads: 6)

.jpg   cpf-13-logs.jpg (Size: 148.44 KB / Downloads: 7)

9. Security
Per site: block IP addresses (IPv4 and IPv6), block bots by name, protect staging sites with Basic Auth, and allow traffic only through Cloudflare.

.jpg   cpf-15-site-security.jpg (Size: 96.39 KB / Downloads: 6)

Server-wide: a UFW firewall with add/edit/delete rules (best practice: allow port 8443 only from your IP), Basic Auth in front of the panel, two-factor authentication for panel logins, and site isolation by Linux user. fail2ban was running on our server too.

.jpg   cpf-16-firewall.jpg (Size: 104.35 KB / Downloads: 6)

10. Backups
Scheduled remote backups of every site's files and vhost to Amazon S3, Wasabi, DigitalOcean Spaces, Dropbox, Google Drive (Workspace), Hetzner Storage Box, SFTP or any Rclone remote. On supported clouds CloudPanel can also make whole-instance snapshots.

.jpg   cpf-17-remote-backups.jpg (Size: 87.42 KB / Downloads: 7)

11. Server management
  • Dashboard monitoring: CPU, memory, disk and load average charts.
  • Instance: the status of MySQL, Nginx, every PHP-FPM version, Redis and Varnish, with restart buttons and a server reboot.
  • Users and roles: Admin (everything), Site Manager (all sites, no Admin Area) and User (only assigned sites).
  • Events: a history of actions taken in the panel.
  • Custom panel domain: move the panel from IP:8443 to a domain such as cp.example.com with a Let's Encrypt certificate.
  • Interface: dark mode and many interface languages.

.jpg   cpf-19-monitoring.jpg (Size: 95.87 KB / Downloads: 6)

.jpg   cpf-18-instance-services.jpg (Size: 98.79 KB / Downloads: 7)

.jpg   cpf-20-custom-domain.jpg (Size: 103.3 KB / Downloads: 7)

12. Command line: clpctl
As root, the clpctl command-line tool can add sites, databases, certificates and users, manage vhost templates and toggle Basic Auth. The main commands:
Code:
# sites site:add:php site:add:nodejs site:add:python site:add:static site:add:reverse-proxy site:delete # databases db:add db:export db:import db:show:master-credentials # certificates lets-encrypt:install:certificate site:install:certificate # panel users user:add user:list user:reset:password user:disable:mfa # panel access cloudpanel:enable:basic-auth cloudpanel:disable:basic-auth
Run clpctl with no arguments to list every command and its options. See CloudPanel: getting started with the clpctl command.

What's not included
No mail server, no DNS hosting, no Apache/LiteSpeed, no app store and no Docker manager. CloudPanel leaves those to dedicated services on purpose.

Sources (checked October 2026): cloudpanel.io · Technology stack · Backups · Users · Site security · clpctl root commands

Which feature do you use most? Questions go in CloudPanel Support & Troubleshooting.

CloudPanel guide series
  1. What is CloudPanel? Complete overview
  2. CloudPanel system requirements
  3. CloudPanel features: the complete list (you are here)
  4. How to create a PHP site
  5. How to install free Let's Encrypt SSL
  6. How to install WordPress (one-click)
  7. Databases, users and phpMyAdmin
  8. SSH, SFTP, FTP and File Manager
  9. Cron jobs, logs and Varnish Cache
  10. Backups, firewall and Basic Auth
]]> <![CDATA[What Is CloudPanel? Complete Overview of the Free Hosting Control Panel (2026)]]> https://adminsforum.com/Thread-guide-what-is-cloudpanel-complete-overview-of-the-free-hosting-control-panel-2026 Wed, 14 Oct 2026 18:46:40 +0800 DEV]]> https://adminsforum.com/Thread-guide-what-is-cloudpanel-complete-overview-of-the-free-hosting-control-panel-2026 What is CloudPanel? A complete overview of the free hosting control panel

CloudPanel is a free, web-based server control panel for Debian and Ubuntu. It turns a fresh VPS or cloud server into a tuned web hosting server for PHP, WordPress, Node.js, Python, static sites and reverse proxies, all managed from a clean browser interface on port 8443. It's built for one job: running websites and web apps fast, with as little to configure as possible.

Every screenshot in this guide comes from our own test server: CloudPanel 2.5.4 on Ubuntu 24.04 (4 vCPU, 8 GB RAM), set up in October 2026.


.jpg   cpa-01-dashboard.jpg (Size: 97.53 KB / Downloads: 9)

CloudPanel at a glance
  • Price: free. There are no paid tiers for the panel itself.
  • Current version: 2.5.4 (released 1 July 2026).
  • Operating systems: Ubuntu 22.04, 24.04 and 26.04; Debian 12 and 13.
  • Hardware: x86 and ARM64; at least 1 CPU core, 2 GB RAM and 10 GB disk.
  • Web server: Nginx 1.30, with HTTP/3 and the PageSpeed module.
  • Apps: WordPress, PHP, Node.js, Python, static HTML and reverse proxies.
  • Panel address:
    Code:
    https://YOUR_SERVER_IP:8443
    , or your own domain.

What you can host
When you add a site, CloudPanel asks what kind of site it is and configures Nginx to match:
  • WordPress: a one-click install, ready to log in with no setup wizard.
  • PHP applications: with ready-made templates for Laravel, Symfony, Magento, Drupal, Joomla, WooCommerce, Shopware, PrestaShop, Nextcloud, Moodle, TYPO3 and many more, plus a Generic option.
  • Node.js apps (for example Ghost or Strapi) and Python apps, served through Nginx.
  • Static HTML/CSS/JS sites.
  • Reverse proxies to anything else running on the server, such as a Docker container.

.jpg   cpa-02-site-types.jpg (Size: 91.53 KB / Downloads: 10)

How CloudPanel works
1. A complete, tuned stack out of the box. One installer sets up Nginx, PHP-FPM for every PHP version from 7.1 to 8.5, MySQL or MariaDB, Redis, Varnish Cache and ProFTPD. You don't choose or compile components; CloudPanel ships them pre-configured.

.jpg   cpa-05-installer-stack.jpg (Size: 375.82 KB / Downloads: 9)

2. Every site is isolated. Each site gets its own Linux user (the "site user"), and its files live in
Code:
/home/SITE_USER/htdocs/YOUR_DOMAIN
. One compromised site can't simply read another site's files.

.jpg   cpa-03-sites-list.jpg (Size: 74.36 KB / Downloads: 9)

3. Everything about a site is on one page. Open a site and you get one row of tabs: Settings (domain, PHP version and limits), Vhost (the Nginx config), Databases, Varnish Cache, SSL/TLS, Security, SSH/FTP, File Manager, Cron Jobs and Logs.

.jpg   cpa-04-site-tabs.jpg (Size: 94.01 KB / Downloads: 9)

4. The Admin Area runs the server. Users and roles, an Events log, Instance (services and restarts), remote Backups, Security (firewall and Basic Auth) and Settings (custom panel domain and database servers).

.jpg   cpa-06-admin-area.jpg (Size: 76.43 KB / Downloads: 9)

5. A command-line tool too.
Code:
clpctl
lets you add sites, databases, users and Let's Encrypt certificates from SSH, which is handy for scripts and automation.

Who CloudPanel is for
  • Developers and agencies hosting several PHP, WordPress or Node.js sites on their own VPS.
  • Anyone who wants a fast Nginx stack without configuring it by hand.
  • Teams on AWS, Google Cloud, Azure, Oracle Cloud, DigitalOcean, Hetzner, Vultr or similar, including ARM servers.

What CloudPanel doesn't do
CloudPanel is focused by design. Know these limits before you install:
  • No mail server. Use an external email service (Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Zoho, etc.) and an SMTP service for sending.
  • No DNS hosting. Manage DNS at your registrar or Cloudflare.
  • No Apache or LiteSpeed. Nginx only.
  • No app store or Docker manager. Run containers yourself and put a reverse-proxy site in front.
  • Virtual machines only. LXC, LXD and OpenVZ containers aren't supported.
  • Needs a clean server and at least 2 GB of RAM.

Is CloudPanel right for you?
Choose CloudPanel if you mainly host websites and web apps and want speed, site isolation and a simple interface for free. If you need mail, DNS or many one-click apps on the same server, look at a broader panel; our CloudPanel vs aaPanel comparison in this forum covers that trade-off.

Learn more
Sources (checked October 2026): CloudPanel introduction · Technology stack · Requirements · Changelog

Questions about CloudPanel? Ask in CloudPanel Support & Troubleshooting.

CloudPanel guide series
  1. What is CloudPanel? Complete overview (you are here)
  2. CloudPanel system requirements
  3. CloudPanel features: the complete list
  4. How to create a PHP site
  5. How to install free Let's Encrypt SSL
  6. How to install WordPress (one-click)
  7. Databases, users and phpMyAdmin
  8. SSH, SFTP, FTP and File Manager
  9. Cron jobs, logs and Varnish Cache
  10. Backups, firewall and Basic Auth
]]> What is CloudPanel? A complete overview of the free hosting control panel

CloudPanel is a free, web-based server control panel for Debian and Ubuntu. It turns a fresh VPS or cloud server into a tuned web hosting server for PHP, WordPress, Node.js, Python, static sites and reverse proxies, all managed from a clean browser interface on port 8443. It's built for one job: running websites and web apps fast, with as little to configure as possible.

Every screenshot in this guide comes from our own test server: CloudPanel 2.5.4 on Ubuntu 24.04 (4 vCPU, 8 GB RAM), set up in October 2026.


.jpg   cpa-01-dashboard.jpg (Size: 97.53 KB / Downloads: 9)

CloudPanel at a glance
  • Price: free. There are no paid tiers for the panel itself.
  • Current version: 2.5.4 (released 1 July 2026).
  • Operating systems: Ubuntu 22.04, 24.04 and 26.04; Debian 12 and 13.
  • Hardware: x86 and ARM64; at least 1 CPU core, 2 GB RAM and 10 GB disk.
  • Web server: Nginx 1.30, with HTTP/3 and the PageSpeed module.
  • Apps: WordPress, PHP, Node.js, Python, static HTML and reverse proxies.
  • Panel address:
    Code:
    https://YOUR_SERVER_IP:8443
    , or your own domain.

What you can host
When you add a site, CloudPanel asks what kind of site it is and configures Nginx to match:
  • WordPress: a one-click install, ready to log in with no setup wizard.
  • PHP applications: with ready-made templates for Laravel, Symfony, Magento, Drupal, Joomla, WooCommerce, Shopware, PrestaShop, Nextcloud, Moodle, TYPO3 and many more, plus a Generic option.
  • Node.js apps (for example Ghost or Strapi) and Python apps, served through Nginx.
  • Static HTML/CSS/JS sites.
  • Reverse proxies to anything else running on the server, such as a Docker container.

.jpg   cpa-02-site-types.jpg (Size: 91.53 KB / Downloads: 10)

How CloudPanel works
1. A complete, tuned stack out of the box. One installer sets up Nginx, PHP-FPM for every PHP version from 7.1 to 8.5, MySQL or MariaDB, Redis, Varnish Cache and ProFTPD. You don't choose or compile components; CloudPanel ships them pre-configured.

.jpg   cpa-05-installer-stack.jpg (Size: 375.82 KB / Downloads: 9)

2. Every site is isolated. Each site gets its own Linux user (the "site user"), and its files live in
Code:
/home/SITE_USER/htdocs/YOUR_DOMAIN
. One compromised site can't simply read another site's files.

.jpg   cpa-03-sites-list.jpg (Size: 74.36 KB / Downloads: 9)

3. Everything about a site is on one page. Open a site and you get one row of tabs: Settings (domain, PHP version and limits), Vhost (the Nginx config), Databases, Varnish Cache, SSL/TLS, Security, SSH/FTP, File Manager, Cron Jobs and Logs.

.jpg   cpa-04-site-tabs.jpg (Size: 94.01 KB / Downloads: 9)

4. The Admin Area runs the server. Users and roles, an Events log, Instance (services and restarts), remote Backups, Security (firewall and Basic Auth) and Settings (custom panel domain and database servers).

.jpg   cpa-06-admin-area.jpg (Size: 76.43 KB / Downloads: 9)

5. A command-line tool too.
Code:
clpctl
lets you add sites, databases, users and Let's Encrypt certificates from SSH, which is handy for scripts and automation.

Who CloudPanel is for
  • Developers and agencies hosting several PHP, WordPress or Node.js sites on their own VPS.
  • Anyone who wants a fast Nginx stack without configuring it by hand.
  • Teams on AWS, Google Cloud, Azure, Oracle Cloud, DigitalOcean, Hetzner, Vultr or similar, including ARM servers.

What CloudPanel doesn't do
CloudPanel is focused by design. Know these limits before you install:
  • No mail server. Use an external email service (Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Zoho, etc.) and an SMTP service for sending.
  • No DNS hosting. Manage DNS at your registrar or Cloudflare.
  • No Apache or LiteSpeed. Nginx only.
  • No app store or Docker manager. Run containers yourself and put a reverse-proxy site in front.
  • Virtual machines only. LXC, LXD and OpenVZ containers aren't supported.
  • Needs a clean server and at least 2 GB of RAM.

Is CloudPanel right for you?
Choose CloudPanel if you mainly host websites and web apps and want speed, site isolation and a simple interface for free. If you need mail, DNS or many one-click apps on the same server, look at a broader panel; our CloudPanel vs aaPanel comparison in this forum covers that trade-off.

Learn more
Sources (checked October 2026): CloudPanel introduction · Technology stack · Requirements · Changelog

Questions about CloudPanel? Ask in CloudPanel Support & Troubleshooting.

CloudPanel guide series
  1. What is CloudPanel? Complete overview (you are here)
  2. CloudPanel system requirements
  3. CloudPanel features: the complete list
  4. How to create a PHP site
  5. How to install free Let's Encrypt SSL
  6. How to install WordPress (one-click)
  7. Databases, users and phpMyAdmin
  8. SSH, SFTP, FTP and File Manager
  9. Cron jobs, logs and Varnish Cache
  10. Backups, firewall and Basic Auth
]]> <![CDATA[CloudPanel vs aaPanel (2026): Is CloudPanel the Better Choice for Your VPS?]]> https://adminsforum.com/Thread-guide-cloudpanel-vs-aapanel-2026-is-cloudpanel-the-better-choice-for-your-vps Wed, 14 Oct 2026 03:06:58 +0800 DEV]]> https://adminsforum.com/Thread-guide-cloudpanel-vs-aapanel-2026-is-cloudpanel-the-better-choice-for-your-vps CloudPanel vs aaPanel: an honest look from the CloudPanel side

CloudPanel is often called the clean, fast alternative to aaPanel. Is that true, and what do you give up? We ran both panels on the same 4 vCPU / 8 GB VPS and compared them hands-on. Here's what CloudPanel users (and people thinking of switching) should know.


.jpg   afcmp-01-aapanel-vs-cloudpanel.jpg (Size: 93.4 KB / Downloads: 8)

The short answer
  • CloudPanel is the better pick for focused web hosting: PHP, WordPress, Node.js and Python sites, each with its own Linux user, on a tuned Nginx stack, completely free.
  • aaPanel is the better pick if you want one panel for the whole server (Docker, mail, FTP, 200+ apps) or you're on a tiny VPS.

Test setup
CloudPanel 2.5.4 on Ubuntu 24.04, and aaPanel 8.0.6 on Ubuntu 22.04 (its recommended release; 8.0.7 is now current). Same VPS, tested October 2026, with real screenshots throughout.

.jpg   afcmp-02-test-setup.jpg (Size: 122.14 KB / Downloads: 8)

Where CloudPanel is different by design
CloudPanel doesn't try to manage everything. It installs a complete, tuned stack for you (Nginx, every PHP version from 7.1 to 8.5, MySQL 8.4 or MariaDB, Redis and Varnish) and gives you a calm interface with just Dashboard and Sites. aaPanel's dashboard packs in gauges, software lists, traffic graphs and a long tools menu.

.jpg   afcmp-06-dashboards.jpg (Size: 111.15 KB / Downloads: 8)

Requirements: the one place CloudPanel asks for more
CloudPanel needs at least 2 GB RAM and 10 GB disk, and supports Ubuntu 22.04/24.04/26.04 and Debian 12/13 on x86 and ARM64. aaPanel starts at 512 MB (1 GB recommended) and supports more distros.

.jpg   afcmp-04-system-requirements.jpg (Size: 120.64 KB / Downloads: 8)

Install tip: verify the installer checksum from the CloudPanel docs, choose your DB engine (we used MySQL 8.4), then open
Code:
https://YOUR_IP:8443
and create the admin user immediately. Until it exists, the first visitor can create it. Better still, restrict port 8443 to your IP.

Hosting features, side by side
For everyday hosting the two are close: PHP versions, databases with one-click phpMyAdmin, free Let's Encrypt with auto-renew, a file manager and FTP.

.jpg   afcmp-07-hosting-essentials.jpg (Size: 128.24 KB / Downloads: 8)

What CloudPanel deliberately leaves out: there's no Docker manager, no mail server and no app store. Use an external email service, and run containers yourself behind a CloudPanel reverse-proxy site.

.jpg   afcmp-08-beyond-web-hosting.jpg (Size: 111.34 KB / Downloads: 8)

Memory: what CloudPanel actually uses
We didn't run a controlled benchmark of the two panels, so no speed claims here. We did measure our CloudPanel server: two sites, a few hours after install, 1.95 GB used of 7.9 GB.

.jpg   afcmp-10-cloudpanel-memory.jpg (Size: 88.66 KB / Downloads: 8)
Most of it is MySQL's cache (~970 MB, sized to the server's RAM), plus PHP-FPM pools for every installed PHP version, Nginx and Varnish. That memory is put to work, but it's why CloudPanel wants 2 GB minimum. aaPanel installs only what you choose, so it can start smaller.

.jpg   afcmp-09-design-defaults.jpg (Size: 113.75 KB / Downloads: 9)

Security: isolation is CloudPanel's big win
Every CloudPanel site runs as its own Linux user. On our aaPanel server, site files were owned by the shared www user, so one compromised site has more reach there.

.jpg   afcmp-12-site-isolation.jpg (Size: 126.81 KB / Downloads: 9)

aaPanel has the bigger security toolbox (security centre, SSH controls, brute-force protection, intrusion detection, optional WAF, with more in Pro). CloudPanel covers the essentials: firewall rules, basic auth, IP and bot blocking, 2FA and Cloudflare-only mode, plus fail2ban out of the box.

.jpg   afcmp-11-security-tools.jpg (Size: 110.03 KB / Downloads: 8)

Keep it updated: take a snapshot, then run
Code:
clp-update
. aaPanel updates from its Update button. Either way, OS updates and off-server backups are still on you. CloudPanel's remote backups (S3, Wasabi, Dropbox, Google Drive, SFTP and others) make the second part easy.

Price
CloudPanel is free, with no paid tiers. aaPanel's free edition also hosts sites fully, but aaPanel Pro costs $28.80/month, $198/year or $699 lifetime for the advanced WAF, anti-tamper, statistics and WordPress Pro tools.

.jpg   afcmp-13-pricing.jpg (Size: 132.82 KB / Downloads: 9)

Strengths and limitations

.jpg   afcmp-15-cloudpanel-pros-cons.jpg (Size: 106.62 KB / Downloads: 8)

.jpg   afcmp-14-aapanel-pros-cons.jpg (Size: 103.7 KB / Downloads: 9)

Should you choose CloudPanel?
Yes, if you mainly host PHP, WordPress or Node.js sites, want every site isolated, run ARM servers or many client sites, and want nothing to buy, ever.
Pick aaPanel instead if you need Docker, a mail server or lots of one-click apps, need Apache or OpenLiteSpeed, or have only 1 GB of RAM.

.jpg   afcmp-16-verdict.jpg (Size: 131.89 KB / Downloads: 8)

Sources (checked October 2026; prices change): CloudPanel requirements · CloudPanel install docs · aaPanel pricing · aaPanel requirements

Running CloudPanel already? Tell us what you host on it. Questions about installing or migrating are welcome in CloudPanel Support & Troubleshooting.]]> CloudPanel vs aaPanel: an honest look from the CloudPanel side

CloudPanel is often called the clean, fast alternative to aaPanel. Is that true, and what do you give up? We ran both panels on the same 4 vCPU / 8 GB VPS and compared them hands-on. Here's what CloudPanel users (and people thinking of switching) should know.


.jpg   afcmp-01-aapanel-vs-cloudpanel.jpg (Size: 93.4 KB / Downloads: 8)

The short answer
  • CloudPanel is the better pick for focused web hosting: PHP, WordPress, Node.js and Python sites, each with its own Linux user, on a tuned Nginx stack, completely free.
  • aaPanel is the better pick if you want one panel for the whole server (Docker, mail, FTP, 200+ apps) or you're on a tiny VPS.

Test setup
CloudPanel 2.5.4 on Ubuntu 24.04, and aaPanel 8.0.6 on Ubuntu 22.04 (its recommended release; 8.0.7 is now current). Same VPS, tested October 2026, with real screenshots throughout.

.jpg   afcmp-02-test-setup.jpg (Size: 122.14 KB / Downloads: 8)

Where CloudPanel is different by design
CloudPanel doesn't try to manage everything. It installs a complete, tuned stack for you (Nginx, every PHP version from 7.1 to 8.5, MySQL 8.4 or MariaDB, Redis and Varnish) and gives you a calm interface with just Dashboard and Sites. aaPanel's dashboard packs in gauges, software lists, traffic graphs and a long tools menu.

.jpg   afcmp-06-dashboards.jpg (Size: 111.15 KB / Downloads: 8)

Requirements: the one place CloudPanel asks for more
CloudPanel needs at least 2 GB RAM and 10 GB disk, and supports Ubuntu 22.04/24.04/26.04 and Debian 12/13 on x86 and ARM64. aaPanel starts at 512 MB (1 GB recommended) and supports more distros.

.jpg   afcmp-04-system-requirements.jpg (Size: 120.64 KB / Downloads: 8)

Install tip: verify the installer checksum from the CloudPanel docs, choose your DB engine (we used MySQL 8.4), then open
Code:
https://YOUR_IP:8443
and create the admin user immediately. Until it exists, the first visitor can create it. Better still, restrict port 8443 to your IP.

Hosting features, side by side
For everyday hosting the two are close: PHP versions, databases with one-click phpMyAdmin, free Let's Encrypt with auto-renew, a file manager and FTP.

.jpg   afcmp-07-hosting-essentials.jpg (Size: 128.24 KB / Downloads: 8)

What CloudPanel deliberately leaves out: there's no Docker manager, no mail server and no app store. Use an external email service, and run containers yourself behind a CloudPanel reverse-proxy site.

.jpg   afcmp-08-beyond-web-hosting.jpg (Size: 111.34 KB / Downloads: 8)

Memory: what CloudPanel actually uses
We didn't run a controlled benchmark of the two panels, so no speed claims here. We did measure our CloudPanel server: two sites, a few hours after install, 1.95 GB used of 7.9 GB.

.jpg   afcmp-10-cloudpanel-memory.jpg (Size: 88.66 KB / Downloads: 8)
Most of it is MySQL's cache (~970 MB, sized to the server's RAM), plus PHP-FPM pools for every installed PHP version, Nginx and Varnish. That memory is put to work, but it's why CloudPanel wants 2 GB minimum. aaPanel installs only what you choose, so it can start smaller.

.jpg   afcmp-09-design-defaults.jpg (Size: 113.75 KB / Downloads: 9)

Security: isolation is CloudPanel's big win
Every CloudPanel site runs as its own Linux user. On our aaPanel server, site files were owned by the shared www user, so one compromised site has more reach there.

.jpg   afcmp-12-site-isolation.jpg (Size: 126.81 KB / Downloads: 9)

aaPanel has the bigger security toolbox (security centre, SSH controls, brute-force protection, intrusion detection, optional WAF, with more in Pro). CloudPanel covers the essentials: firewall rules, basic auth, IP and bot blocking, 2FA and Cloudflare-only mode, plus fail2ban out of the box.

.jpg   afcmp-11-security-tools.jpg (Size: 110.03 KB / Downloads: 8)

Keep it updated: take a snapshot, then run
Code:
clp-update
. aaPanel updates from its Update button. Either way, OS updates and off-server backups are still on you. CloudPanel's remote backups (S3, Wasabi, Dropbox, Google Drive, SFTP and others) make the second part easy.

Price
CloudPanel is free, with no paid tiers. aaPanel's free edition also hosts sites fully, but aaPanel Pro costs $28.80/month, $198/year or $699 lifetime for the advanced WAF, anti-tamper, statistics and WordPress Pro tools.

.jpg   afcmp-13-pricing.jpg (Size: 132.82 KB / Downloads: 9)

Strengths and limitations

.jpg   afcmp-15-cloudpanel-pros-cons.jpg (Size: 106.62 KB / Downloads: 8)

.jpg   afcmp-14-aapanel-pros-cons.jpg (Size: 103.7 KB / Downloads: 9)

Should you choose CloudPanel?
Yes, if you mainly host PHP, WordPress or Node.js sites, want every site isolated, run ARM servers or many client sites, and want nothing to buy, ever.
Pick aaPanel instead if you need Docker, a mail server or lots of one-click apps, need Apache or OpenLiteSpeed, or have only 1 GB of RAM.

.jpg   afcmp-16-verdict.jpg (Size: 131.89 KB / Downloads: 8)

Sources (checked October 2026; prices change): CloudPanel requirements · CloudPanel install docs · aaPanel pricing · aaPanel requirements

Running CloudPanel already? Tell us what you host on it. Questions about installing or migrating are welcome in CloudPanel Support & Troubleshooting.]]> <![CDATA[What is CloudPanel? Fast, free hosting for PHP, Node.js and Python]]> https://adminsforum.com/Thread-guide-what-is-cloudpanel-fast-free-hosting-for-php-node-js-and-python Wed, 07 Oct 2026 10:03:56 +0800 JAY]]> https://adminsforum.com/Thread-guide-what-is-cloudpanel-fast-free-hosting-for-php-node-js-and-python 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.

[Image: attachment.php?aid=236]

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).
[Image: attachment.php?aid=269]
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:
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:
@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:
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.]]> 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.

[Image: attachment.php?aid=236]

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).
[Image: attachment.php?aid=269]
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:
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:
@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:
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.]]>