Virtualmin has competition. A lot of it. We even compete with ourselves when it comes to choosing to purchase your tools or select an Open Source option. We think we've built the most powerful and flexible web hosting control panel in the world in nearly every area. Feel free to let us know if you think we're wrong about that. We'd like for this page and the product comparison table to be accurate in every regard, and corrections are welcome.
Flexibility Where You Need It
Virtualmin is unlike anything else, when it comes to flexibility and power. Designed by system administrators for system administrators, it works with you to configure services and accounts in the way you choose.
Ease of Use Where You Want It
Virtualmin isn't just for hard core system administrators. It scales back the complexity of the UI based on the privileges of the logged in user, and allows delegation of tasks, based on skill and level of trust.
Extensible, Scriptable, Customizable
Virtualmin was made to be extended, scripted, and customized. With a modular architecture, you can write new modules and themes, drive it from scripts or other programs, and create Server Templates to suit your needs.
Command Line Friendly
With Virtualmin, working from the UI is not the only way to do it. With complete command line access to nearly all UI functions, and the ability to configure most services using standard text editors and tools, Virtualmin works your way.
Maximize Efficiency
Virtualmin has always been focused on automating away repetitive tasks without impeding your ability to customize. Simplifying complex tasks is a Virtualmin specialty.
Professional Support
Virtualmin support is provided by the people who build and maintain the software. When you file a support ticket with us, you'll receive prompt, expert, advice. Tickets are usually answered within 24 hours, and every member of our staff has years of experience.
Comparison With Other Control Panels
| Features | Virtualmin Professional | Virtualmin GPL | cPanel | Plesk | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Tiered pricing from $60-$200/server per year, based on number of domains | Free and Open Source under the GNU GPL | $200/year for a virtual machine or $425/year for dedicated server | $48/year to $180/year depending on number of domains and features | |
| Install and Manage Applications | Over 100 easily installable applications included at no extra cost. | Install Script support, with 7 easily installable applications, including RoundCube, phpMyAdmin, phpPgAdmin, and developer tools. | 19 applications included in core cPanel. Additional applications available with third-party Fantastico add-on product (add $29 per year) or Softaculous ($12-$24 per year). | Optional WordPress toolkit and a small number of administrative tools provided. Optional Softaculous add-on product (add $12-$24 per year). | |
| Spam and Anti-Virus Filtering | Per-user and per-domain SpamAssassin and ClamAV included. | Per-user and per-domain SpamAssassin and ClamAV included. | Account-based SpamAssassin and ClamAV support included. | Optional add-ons available for additional cost. | |
| PHP PEAR | Complete UI support for PHP PEAR module installation. List, install, update, and remove PHP modules easily and quickly. | Complete UI support for PHP PEAR module installation. List, install, update, and remove PHP modules easily and quickly. | List, install, update, and remove modules from the UI. | Command line only. | |
| Ruby and Ruby on Rails | Comprehensive support for Ruby developers working with Ruby on Rails, Mongrel, etc. Many Ruby on Rails applications install quickly and easily from the Install Scripts interface. | Support for Ruby applications and Ruby Gems, but no direct RoR support. | Ruby on Rails support includes application creation, starting/stopping applications and web server rewrite rules | Ruby on Rails support includes application creation and starting/stopping applications | |
| Ruby Gems | Complete UI support for Ruby Gems. List, install, update, and remove modules easily and quickly. | Complete UI support for Ruby Gems. List, install, update, and remove modules easily and quickly. | List, install, update, and remove modules from the UI | None | |
| Python and Django | Installation and management of the Django web application development framework, and instantiation of new Django applications from the Install Scripts interface. | Installation and management of the Django web application development framework, and instantiation of new Django applications from the Install Scripts interface. | None | None | |
| Website Creation | Built-in WYSIWYG website editor and template-based page creator, advanced file manager and editor with syntax highlighting and more. | File manager and editor with syntax highlighting and more. | Only with optional third-party SiteBuilder at additional cost. | Site.pro site builder free version, upgradeable for additional cost. | |
| File Manager | Advanced HTML5/JavaScript File Manager with code editor, archive management, SELinux support, and much more. | Advanced HTML5/JavaScript File Manager with code editor, archive management, SELinux support, and much more. | HTML file manager with code editor, archive management, and more. | HTML file manager with code editor, archive management, and more. | |
| Mobile | Complete mobile access using our new responsive mobile-capable UI. | Complete mobile access using our new responsive mobile-capable UI. | Mobile style available. | Plesk Mobile Manager, limited mobile access. | |
| Developer Access | Complete, simple to use, HTTP and command line API. Flexible and open API for creating third party modules. | Complete, simple to use, HTTP and command line API. Flexible and open API for creating third party modules. | Create/Read/Update/Delete remote HTTP-based API. Perl API for writing third party modules. | Create/Read/Update/Delete remote HTTP-based API. PHP API for third party modules. | |
| Database Support | Virtualmin includes the uniquely powerful Webmin MySQL and PostgreSQL modules, and phpMyAdmin and phpPgAdmin. | Virtualmin includes the uniquely powerful Webmin MySQL and PostgreSQL modules, and phpMyAdmin and phpPgAdmin. | phpMyAdmin and phpPgAdmin. | phpMyAdmin and phpPgAdmin. | |
| Support | Unlimited premium support via issue tracker for all Virtualmin Professional customers, with usual response time under 24 hours. | Unlimited free support in the Virtualmin.com forums, and free bug fixes via the bug tracker. Premium support and professional services available at additional cost. | Telephone support available for $65/incident. Variable support policy based on who you purchased cPanel from. Free email support. | $75 per incident via a ticket tracker, or $299/year for unlimited email support or $549/year for unlimited premium incidents. | |
| Web Server Support | Comprehensive Apache and basic nginx support | Comprehensive Apache and basic nginx support | Apache only | Apache and nginx support | |
| Security | Two-factor Authentication, Certificate Authentication, SSL/TLS Management, Fail2Ban Management, Firewall Management, SuExec application execution. | Two-factor Authentication, Certificate Authentication, SSL/TLS Management, Fail2Ban Management, Firewall Management, SuExec application execution. | SSL/TLS Management, SuExec application execution, some other features available via third party add-ons. | SSL/TLS Management, Fail2Ban, mod_security, SuExec application execution. | |
| Let's Encrypt! | Full Let's Encrypt! support across all Virtualmin-managed services, including Virtualmin itself. | Full Let's Encrypt! support across all Virtualmin-managed services, including Virtualmin itself. | Let's Encrypt! support for Apache and Dovecot. | Let's Encrypt! support for websites. |