cPanel on VPS: Installation and Best Plans 2026

Do you want to gain full control over your hosting without diving into the complexities of the command line? Installing cPanel on a VPS is the ideal solution that transforms a powerful, yet complex server into an intuitively managed platform. In this article, we will detail how to install cPanel on your VPS, what requirements you need to consider, and help you choose the optimal plan from Valebyte.com so that your cPanel VPS runs smoothly.

What is cPanel and why do you need it on a VPS?

cPanel is one of the world's most popular hosting control panels, providing a graphical interface for simplified management of websites, databases, email, DNS, and many other aspects of your server. When you install cPanel on a Virtual Private Server (VPS), you get a powerful combination:

• Full Control: Unlike shared hosting, a VPS gives you dedicated resources and root access. cPanel allows you to use these resources most effectively without requiring deep Linux knowledge.
• Ease of Use: cPanel's intuitive interface significantly simplifies tasks that would otherwise require complex commands in the terminal. This is especially valuable for developers, agencies, and small business owners managing multiple projects.
• Scalability: As your projects grow, you can easily scale your VPS resources, and cPanel will allow you to effortlessly manage additional websites and accounts.
• Security and Automation: cPanel offers built-in tools for security (firewall, malware scanners) and automation of routine tasks (backups, updates).

Using VPS cPanel allows you to focus on development and content, rather than server administration.

cPanel Licensing: What You Need to Know?

cPanel is a commercial product, and an active license is required for its use. The cost and type of license depend on the number of accounts you plan to host on your VPS.

cPanel License Types:

• cPanel Solo: Up to 1 cPanel account. Ideal for one large project or personal use.
• cPanel Admin: Up to 5 cPanel accounts. Suitable for small agencies or multiple personal projects.
• cPanel Pro: Up to 30 cPanel accounts. A good choice for growing companies and resellers.
• cPanel Premier: Up to 100 cPanel accounts (with the possibility to expand to 250). For large hosting providers and high-load servers.

Licenses are usually paid monthly or annually. You can purchase a license directly from cPanel or, more often, more profitably and conveniently, through your VPS provider. Many providers, including Valebyte.com, offer pre-installed cPanel VPS hosting with the license already included or the option to add it when ordering.

System Requirements for cPanel on VPS

Before you proceed to install cPanel on VPS, make sure your virtual server meets the minimum requirements. The more websites and the higher their traffic, the more powerful your VPS should be.

Operating System:

cPanel officially supports only 64-bit versions of the following operating systems:

• AlmaLinux OS
• Rocky Linux
• CentOS Stream (versions 8 and 9 only)

It is recommended to use AlmaLinux OS or Rocky Linux as more stable and long-term solutions after the end of CentOS 8 support.

Hardware Requirements:

Important: For optimal performance and stability, always choose a VPS with ample resources, especially RAM and SSD. NVMe SSDs significantly speed up database and application operations.

Preparing Your VPS for cPanel Installation

Before running the installation script, you need to perform a few preliminary steps. Make sure you have root access to your VPS cPanel server.

1. System Update: Always start by updating your operating system.

sudo dnf update -y
sudo dnf upgrade -y
sudo reboot

2. Configure Hostname: Set a fully qualified domain name (FQDN).

sudo hostnamectl set-hostname host.yourdomain.com

Replace host.yourdomain.com with your actual hostname.

3. Disable SELinux: cPanel does not support SELinux. It must be disabled.

sudo setenforce 0

To ensure changes persist after a reboot, edit the file /etc/selinux/config:

sudo nano /etc/selinux/config

Find the line SELINUX=enforcing and change it to SELINUX=disabled.

4. Open Firewall Ports: cPanel requires open ports to function. If you are using Firewalld (default in AlmaLinux/Rocky Linux), open the necessary ports. cPanel has its own firewall (CSF/LFD) which will be installed, but it's better to open the basic ports beforehand.

sudo firewall-cmd --zone=public --add-port=2087/tcp --permanent # WHM
sudo firewall-cmd --zone=public --add-port=2083/tcp --permanent # cPanel
sudo firewall-cmd --zone=public --add-port=2096/tcp --permanent # Webmail
sudo firewall-cmd --zone=public --add-port=2079/tcp --permanent # WebDisk
sudo firewall-cmd --zone=public --add-port=2080/tcp --permanent # cPanel Proxy
sudo firewall-cmd --zone=public --add-port=80/tcp --permanent  # HTTP
sudo firewall-cmd --zone=public --add-port=443/tcp --permanent # HTTPS
sudo firewall-cmd --zone=public --add-port=21/tcp --permanent  # FTP
sudo firewall-cmd --zone=public --add-port=22/tcp --permanent  # SSH (if not changed)
sudo firewall-cmd --reload

These steps will ensure a smooth cPanel installation.

Step-by-Step cPanel Installation on VPS

After preparing the server, you can proceed with the installation. The process is quite simple and automated.

1. Navigate to the home directory:

cd /home

2. Download the cPanel installation script:

curl -o latest -L https://securedownloads.cpanel.net/latest

3. Run the installation script:

sh latest

The installation can take from 30 to 90 minutes, depending on the speed of your VPS with cPanel and internet connection. Do not close the terminal or interrupt the process. After the installation is complete, you will see a message about its successful completion and links to access WHM (Web Host Manager).

Initial WHM Setup:

After installation, you can access WHM at:

https://your_IP_address:2087 or https://your_domain:2087

Log in with the root username and your VPS root password. WHM will guide you through several initial setup steps, including accepting the license agreement, configuring contact information, DNS servers, and other basic parameters. After this, your cPanel VPS hosting will be ready to create your first accounts and host websites.

cPanel Alternatives: Plesk and DirectAdmin

While cPanel is the gold standard, there are other excellent control panels that might be more suitable in certain situations. Let's look at two popular alternatives:

Plesk

• Features: Supports not only Linux but also Windows Server. Has a modular architecture, allowing functionality to be added as needed. Excellent integration with Docker, Git, and WordPress Toolkit.
• Advantages: Flexibility, Windows support, modern interface, many extensions.
• Disadvantages: Can be more resource-intensive than DirectAdmin. Cost is comparable to cPanel.
• When to choose: If you need Windows support, or if you actively use Docker/Git for application deployment.

DirectAdmin

• Features: Known for its lightness, high performance, and low resource consumption. Simple and clear interface.
• Advantages: Cost-effectiveness (usually cheaper than cPanel/Plesk), high operating speed, stability, active community.
• Disadvantages: Fewer "out-of-the-box" features compared to cPanel/Plesk, the interface might seem less modern.
• When to choose: If you have a limited budget, or if you value maximum performance and minimal resource consumption. An excellent choice for a VPS cPanel with a small amount of RAM.

Control Panel Comparison

Best Valebyte VPS Plans for cPanel in 2026

Choosing the right VPS is half the battle for stable and fast cPanel operation. At Valebyte.com, we offer a wide range of plans optimized for various workloads. Here are our recommendations for cPanel VPS:

All our VPS are equipped with fast NVMe SSDs, which is critically important for cPanel and database performance. We also offer a wide selection of OS, including AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux, which are ideal for cPanel VPS hosting.

Tips for cPanel VPS Optimization and Security

Installing cPanel is just the beginning. To ensure your server runs stably and securely, follow these recommendations:

• Regular Updates: Always update cPanel, the operating system, and all installed applications. cPanel has built-in mechanisms for automatic updates.
• Firewall Configuration (CSF/LFD): ConfigServer Security & Firewall (CSF) and Login Failure Daemon (LFD) are powerful tools installed with cPanel. Configure them to protect against DDoS attacks, port scanning, and brute-force attempts.
• Backups: Set up regular automatic backups via WHM. Store backups on remote storage, not on the same VPS.
• SSL/TLS for all domains: Use Let's Encrypt (available through cPanel) for free SSL certificates for all your websites.
• Resource Monitoring: Regularly monitor CPU, RAM, and disk usage via WHM or external tools. This will help you proactively identify potential issues or the need for scaling.
• Use Up-to-Date Software Versions: PHP, MySQL/MariaDB. cPanel allows easy management of PHP versions via MultiPHP Manager.

Conclusion

Installing cPanel on a VPS is a powerful step towards full control over your web hosting, combining the flexibility of a dedicated server with the ease of a graphical interface. By choosing a suitable VPS cPanel from Valebyte.com and following our installation and optimization recommendations, you will ensure a stable, secure, and high-performance platform for all your web projects.

Don't delay! Explore our VPS plans today and start building your projects on a reliable foundation with cPanel VPS hosting from Valebyte.com.