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Hestia Control Panel

Free, open-source web hosting control panel for Debian and Ubuntu servers.

Open sourceSelf-hostableServer control panels

Updated · AppBreakup editorial · Self-hosted, Linux

Is Hestia Control Panel free?

Yes, free and open source

License:
GPL-3.0

Checked on Hestia Control Panel's site Nov 8, 2026

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Verified facts
5 of 5
Alternatives ranked
6
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About Hestia Control Panel

Hestia Control Panel (HestiaCP) turns a fresh Debian or Ubuntu server into a small web host. From a browser you create users, add domains, issue Let's Encrypt certificates, run mail and DNS servers, and set up MySQL or PostgreSQL databases, without editing Nginx, Apache or Exim configs by hand. It also installs common apps such as WordPress, Nextcloud and Laravel in one click, and backs up to SFTP or cloud storage through Rclone. It is aimed at freelancers, small agencies and hobbyists who want cPanel-style hosting on their own VPS without a licence fee. Unlike Webmin or Cockpit, which manage a whole Linux system, Hestia focuses on hosting sites, mail and DNS for several users. The project is free and GPL-licensed, funded by donations, and must be installed on a clean server running a supported LTS release. There is a REST API and command-line tools for automation.

Best for: Freelancers and small hosts who want free cPanel-style site, mail and DNS hosting on their own VPS..

Pros and cons

What works

  • Free and GPL-licensed with no per-server licence
  • Runs web, mail, DNS and databases from one panel
  • One-click installs for WordPress, Nextcloud and more
  • Light enough for a 1 GB VPS without spam filtering

Why people leave

  • Only supports Debian and Ubuntu LTS releases
  • Must be installed on a fresh server, not an existing one
  • Community forum support only, no paid support plan

Hestia Control Panel vs Webmin, Plesk and Cockpit

From each app's listing and the prices verified on its own site. A dash means we haven't verified it yet.

AttributeHestia Control PanelWebminPleskCockpit
PricingOpen sourceOpen sourcePaidOpen source
Verified price——€12.04 a month (Web Admin, VPS)—
Free planFree appFree appNoFree app
Open sourceYesYesNoYes
Self-hostableYesYesNoYes
PlatformsSelf-hosted, LinuxLinux, Self-hosted, WebSelf-hosted, Linux, Windows, WebLinux, Self-hosted, Web

Top Hestia Control Panel alternatives

See all 6
  1. 1Webmin logo
    Webmin

    Covers the whole Linux system through modules, for admins who need more than site, mail and DNS hosting.

    68.8
  2. 2Plesk logo
    Plesk

    Commercial panel with paid support, Windows server support and a large extension catalogue.

    64.8
  3. 3Cockpit logo
    Cockpit

    Red Hat-backed web console for managing services, storage and containers rather than hosting sites.

    61.8
  4. 4Laravel Forge logo
    Laravel Forge

    Paid service that provisions and deploys PHP apps on your cloud servers, with no panel to maintain yourself.

    59.4
  5. 5Coolify logo
    Coolify

    Modern self-hosted PaaS for deploying apps and databases from Git, rather than classic PHP hosting.

    52.6

Why people left Hestia Control Panel

In reviewers' own words, from reviews of the apps they moved to. These are their opinions, not ours.

No switching stories yet. If you moved away from Hestia Control Panel, review the app you switched to and tell us why.

Reviews

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Hestia Control Panel: common questions

What is Hestia Control Panel?

Hestia Control Panel: Free, open-source web hosting control panel for Debian and Ubuntu servers. Best for freelancers and small hosts who want free cPanel-style site, mail and DNS hosting on their own VPS. Available for Linux, and you can host it yourself.

Is Hestia Control Panel free?

Yes. Hestia Control Panel is free, open-source software that you can host yourself.

Is Hestia Control Panel open source?

Yes. The source code is on GitHub at hestiacp/hestiacp. You can also run it on your own server.

What platforms does Hestia Control Panel run on?

Hestia Control Panel is available for Self-hosted and Linux.

What are the best alternatives to Hestia Control Panel?

The highest-ranked Hestia Control Panel alternatives right now are Webmin, Plesk and Cockpit. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.

Hestia Control Panel vs Webmin: what's the difference?

Both Hestia Control Panel and Webmin are free and open source. Only Webmin runs on Web.

See all 6 Hestia Control Panel alternatives