cPanel and WHM (Web Host Manager) are two separate but closely related web hosting control panel software solutions. They are often used together in web hosting environments to manage and administer websites, server resources, and hosting accounts. Here’s a breakdown of the differences between cPanel and WHM:
cPanel:
- End-User Control Panel: cPanel is designed for end-users, typically website owners, and administrators who manage their individual hosting accounts. It provides an easy-to-use graphical interface for various website and account management tasks.
- Website Management: cPanel is primarily used to manage individual websites and their associated settings, such as creating and managing email accounts, databases, file management, and domain settings.
- User-Level Features: cPanel offers features like website backups, email management, website statistics, domain management, and one-click application installations (e.g., WordPress).
- Security: While cPanel provides security features, it focuses on the security of individual hosting accounts and websites.
- Resource Usage: cPanel allows users to monitor and manage their own resource usage, including bandwidth and storage.
- User Authentication: Users log in to cPanel with their individual credentials.
- Typical Users: cPanel is used by website owners, bloggers, small business owners, and anyone with a web hosting account.
WHM (Web Host Manager):
- Server-Level Control Panel: WHM is designed for hosting providers and server administrators. It’s used to manage the server as a whole and to create and manage cPanel accounts for individual hosting clients.
- Server Management: WHM focuses on server-level tasks, such as server configuration, software installation, security settings, and resource allocation to individual cPanel accounts.
- Reseller Hosting: WHM allows for the creation of reseller hosting accounts. Resellers can use cPanel to create and manage their own hosting clients and accounts.
- Security: WHM offers server-level security settings and access controls for managing cPanel accounts, including the ability to enforce security policies for all hosted accounts.
- Resource Allocation: WHM lets administrators allocate resources like disk space, bandwidth, and other server resources to cPanel accounts.
- User Authentication: WHM is accessed by administrators using their own login credentials. It’s used to create and manage cPanel accounts, each with its own set of credentials.
- Typical Users: WHM is used by hosting providers, data center operators, and server administrators who manage multiple hosting clients or accounts.
cPanel is the end-user control panel used by individuals and businesses to manage their website and hosting account, while WHM is the server-level control panel used by hosting providers and server administrators to manage server resources, create and manage hosting accounts, and enforce security and resource allocation policies for multiple cPanel users. The two often work in tandem, with WHM allowing administrators to create and manage cPanel accounts for their clients.