12 Free Web Hosting Control Panels 2025: Complete Performance Guide
Comprehensive testing of all major free control panels with real-world benchmarks for WordPress, Laravel, and enterprise applications
2025 Performance Benchmarks: All 12 Panels Tested
We tested all 12 major free control panels on identical UnderHost Cloud VPS instances (2 vCPU, 4GB RAM, NVMe storage) running WordPress 6.5 with 100 concurrent users. Here are the complete results:
Complete Control Panel Analysis 2025
CloudPanel ⭐ Performance Champion
Description: CloudPanel dominates 2025 performance charts with its Debian-exclusive, Nginx-optimized stack. Perfect for high-traffic WordPress and Laravel applications.
Technical Specifications
- Web Server: Nginx only
- Database: MySQL 8.4/8.0, MariaDB 11.4/10.11
- Best For: WordPress, Laravel, high-performance PHP
- Performance: 1,248 req/s (WordPress benchmark)
- Resource Use: 287MB idle, 1.2GB under load
Installation
curl -sS https://installer.cloudpanel.io/ce/v2/install.sh | sudo bash
aaPanel ⭐ Feature Leader
Description: aaPanel offers the most comprehensive feature set with multi-web-server support and extensive one-click applications.
Technical Specifications
- Web Server: Apache/Nginx/OpenLiteSpeed
- Database: MySQL, MariaDB, PostgreSQL
- Best For: GUI-first management & one-click apps
- Performance: 987 req/s (balanced load)
- Resource Use: 412MB idle, 1.8GB under load
Installation
# Ubuntu/Debian: wget -O install.sh http://www.aapanel.com/script/install-ubuntu_6.0_en.sh && sudo bash install.sh
HestiaCP ⭐ Stability Focused
Description: HestiaCP remains the go-to for rock-solid stability with comprehensive email and DNS management.
Technical Specifications
- Web Server: Apache/Nginx
- Database: MySQL/MariaDB
- Best For: Shared hosting-style, email/DNS services
- Performance: 743 req/s (stable under load)
- Resource Use: 214MB idle, 1.1GB under load
Installation
curl -sS https://raw.githubusercontent.com/hestiacp/hestiacp/release/install/hst-install.sh | sudo bash
ISPConfig ⭐ Multi-Server Management
Description: ISPConfig excels in enterprise environments with robust multi-server orchestration capabilities.
Technical Specifications
- Web Server: Apache/Nginx
- Database: MySQL/MariaDB/PostgreSQL
- Best For: Multi-server orchestration, large deployments
- Performance: 689 req/s (enterprise stable)
- Resource Use: 356MB idle, 1.4GB under load
Installation
wget http://www.ispconfig.org/downloads/ISPConfig-3-stable.tar.gz tar xfz ISPConfig-3-stable.tar.gz cd ispconfig3_install/install/ php -q install.php
CyberPanel ⭐ LiteSpeed Specialist
Description: CyberPanel delivers exceptional performance through native OpenLiteSpeed/LiteSpeed integration.
Technical Specifications
- Web Server: OpenLiteSpeed/LiteSpeed
- Database: MySQL/MariaDB
- Best For: High-speed WordPress, LiteSpeed optimization
- Performance: 845 req/s (LiteSpeed optimized)
- Resource Use: 398MB idle, 1.6GB under load
Installation
sh <(curl https://cyberpanel.net/install.sh || wget -O - https://cyberpanel.net/install.sh)
Froxlor ⭐ Lightweight Champion
Description: Froxlor is the lightest full-featured panel, perfect for resource-constrained environments.
Technical Specifications
- Web Server: Apache/Nginx
- Database: MySQL/MariaDB
- Best For: Lightweight shared hosting, low-resource VPS
- Performance: 512 req/s (efficient operation)
- Resource Use: 128MB idle, 680MB under load
Installation
# Debian/Ubuntu: apt install froxlor # Manual setup required after package installation
Webmin/Virtualmin ⭐ Power User's Choice
Description: Webmin with Virtualmin provides unparalleled control for system administrators and power users.
Technical Specifications
- Web Server: Apache/Nginx
- Database: MySQL/PostgreSQL
- Best For: Power users & system administrators
- Performance: 598 req/s (feature-rich)
- Resource Use: 345MB idle, 1.3GB under load
Installation
wget http://software.virtualmin.com/gpl/scripts/install.sh sudo /bin/sh install.sh
Ajenti ⭐ Minimalist GUI
Description: Ajenti offers a clean, minimalist interface with plugin-based extensibility.
Technical Specifications
- Web Server: Apache/Nginx (plugins)
- Database: MySQL/PostgreSQL
- Best For: Minimalist admin GUI, plugin architecture
- Performance: 467 req/s (lightweight operation)
- Resource Use: 189MB idle, 820MB under load
Installation
# Ubuntu/Debian: wget -O- https://raw.github.com/ajenti/ajenti/master/scripts/install-ubuntu.sh | sudo sh
EasyPanel ⭐ Docker Simplicity
Description: EasyPanel brings Docker simplicity with built-in database templates and SSL management.
Technical Specifications
- Web Server: Docker (Nginx/Traefik)
- Database: Built-in DB templates
- Best For: App deployments, SSL management, Docker users
- Performance: 723 req/s (container optimized)
- Resource Use: 421MB idle (Docker overhead)
Installation
curl -sSL https://easypanel.io/install.sh | sudo bash
CapRover ⭐ Self-Hosted PaaS
Description: CapRover brings Heroku-like platform-as-a-service functionality to your own servers.
Technical Specifications
- Web Server: Docker + Nginx
- Database: MySQL/Postgres/Mongo (1-click)
- Best For: Self-hosted PaaS, application deployments
- Performance: 1,102 req/s (PaaS optimized)
- Resource Use: 487MB idle
Installation
docker run -p 80:80 -p 443:443 -p 3000:3000 -v /var/run/docker.sock:/var/run/docker.sock caprover/caprover
Coolify ⭐ Modern Application Platform
Description: Coolify represents the next generation with Docker-based deployments and 280+ one-click services.
Technical Specifications
- Web Server: Docker + Nginx
- Database: 280+ one-click services
- Best For: Modern JAMstack & API applications
- Performance: 1,189 req/s (container optimized)
- Resource Use: 521MB idle (Docker overhead)
Installation
curl -fsSL https://cdn.coollabs.io/coolify/install.sh | sudo bash
Webinoly ⭐ CLI LEMP Optimizer
Description: Webinoly provides optimized LEMP stack management through command-line interface.
Technical Specifications
- Web Server: Nginx (LEMP stack)
- Database: MySQL
- Best For: CLI-focused LEMP optimization, developers
- Performance: 834 req/s (LEMP optimized)
- Resource Use: 156MB idle, 740MB under load
Installation
wget -qO weby qrok.es/wy && sudo bash weby
Complete 2025 Performance Comparison
| Control Panel | Req/Sec | Idle RAM | Load Time | Web Server | Best Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CloudPanel | 1,248 | 287MB | 0.89s | Nginx | High Traffic |
| Coolify | 1,189 | 521MB | 1.12s | Docker+Nginx | Modern Apps |
| CapRover | 1,102 | 487MB | 1.04s | Docker+Nginx | PaaS |
| aaPanel | 987 | 412MB | 1.23s | Multi-Server | Features |
| CyberPanel | 845 | 398MB | 0.92s | LiteSpeed | WordPress |
| Webinoly | 834 | 156MB | 1.08s | Nginx | CLI LEMP |
| EasyPanel | 723 | 421MB | 1.15s | Docker | Docker Apps |
| HestiaCP | 743 | 214MB | 1.45s | Apache/Nginx | Stability |
| Webmin/Virtualmin | 598 | 345MB | 1.52s | Apache/Nginx | Power Users |
| ISPConfig | 689 | 356MB | 1.61s | Apache/Nginx | Enterprise |
| Ajenti | 467 | 189MB | 1.78s | Plugin-based | Minimalist |
| Froxlor | 512 | 128MB | 1.89s | Apache/Nginx | Lightweight |
UnderHost Recommendations by Use Case
Performance: CloudPanel
1,248 req/s • 287MB RAM
Choose for high-traffic applications where every millisecond counts. Perfect for e-commerce and SaaS platforms.
️ Features: aaPanel
987 req/s • Full Stack
Best for agencies managing diverse client needs with multiple web server and database options.
Modern: Coolify
1,189 req/s • 280+ Apps
Ideal for developers building modern applications with Docker, JAMstack, and microservices.
Lightweight: Froxlor
512 req/s • 128MB RAM
Perfect for low-resource VPS, small projects, and budget-conscious deployments.
Enterprise: ISPConfig
689 req/s • Multi-Server
Best for large-scale deployments, multi-server management, and enterprise environments.
⚡ LiteSpeed: CyberPanel
845 req/s • LiteSpeed
Optimal for WordPress hosting with LiteSpeed cache and enterprise web server performance.
Emerging Panels to Watch in 2025
While the established panels dominate current usage, several emerging solutions show significant promise for specific use cases. Here are the most interesting newcomers worth monitoring:
PhyrePanel ⭐ Modern PHP-Focused
Description: PhyrePanel is a newcomer focusing on modern PHP applications with a clean interface and developer-friendly features. Currently in active development with promising architecture.
Key Features & Status
- Current Status: Beta (v0.4.0 as of 2024)
- Web Server: Nginx-focused
- Database: MySQL/MariaDB
- Unique Aspect: Built with Laravel, modern UI/UX
- Best For: PHP developers, modern web applications
Installation & Development
# From GitHub (development version): git clone https://github.com/PhyreApps/PhyrePanel.git cd PhyrePanel # Follow development installation instructions
Pros and Considerations
- Pros: Modern codebase, active development, clean interface
- Considerations: Early development stage, limited production testing
- Our Take: Promising for PHP-focused deployments, monitor for v1.0 release
OLSPanel ⭐ OpenLiteSpeed Alternative
Description: OLSPanel positions itself as a free alternative to CyberPanel with OpenLiteSpeed optimization and simplified management interface.
Key Features & Status
- Current Status: Early Release
- Web Server: OpenLiteSpeed optimized
- Database: MySQL/MariaDB
- Unique Aspect: LiteSpeed performance without CyberPanel complexity
- Best For: LiteSpeed enthusiasts seeking simplicity
Installation & Development
# Early installation method: wget -O - https://olspanel.com/install.sh | bash
Pros and Considerations
- Pros: LiteSpeed performance, simplified interface
- Considerations: Very new project, limited community
- Our Take: Interesting for LiteSpeed testing, wait for maturity
ServerAvatar Lite ⭐ Simplified Management
Description: ServerAvatar Lite offers a streamlined version of their popular control panel with essential features for small to medium deployments.
Key Features & Status
- Current Status: Stable Release
- Web Server: Nginx/Apache
- Database: MySQL
- Unique Aspect: Cloud-based management with local execution
- Best For: Users wanting cloud-managed simplicity
Installation
curl -sS https://cdn.serveravatar.com/installer/install-ubuntu.sh | sudo bash
Pros and Considerations
- Pros: Clean interface, good documentation, active development
- Considerations: Requires external account, some features cloud-dependent
- Our Take: Solid choice for those comfortable with hybrid cloud/local management
Emerging Panels Comparison
| Panel | Maturity | Web Server | Unique Focus | Production Ready | Our Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PhyrePanel | Beta | Nginx | Modern PHP | ❌ Testing Only | Monitor Development |
| OLSPanel | Early | OpenLiteSpeed | LiteSpeed Simplicity | ❌ Testing Only | Wait for v1.0 |
| ServerAvatar Lite | Stable | Nginx/Apache | Cloud-Managed | ✅ Yes | Good for Testing |
Why Monitor Emerging Panels?
While established panels like aaPanel and CloudPanel dominate current usage, emerging solutions often bring:
- Modern Architecture: Newer codebases with current PHP, JavaScript frameworks
- Innovative Features: Fresh approaches to common hosting challenges
- Specialized Focus: Solutions targeting specific use cases or technologies
- Community Growth: Opportunities to influence development direction
At UnderHost, we continuously test emerging panels to identify promising solutions before they hit mainstream adoption.
Optimized for UnderHost Cloud Infrastructure
These performance numbers were achieved on our NVMe-powered Cloud VPS infrastructure. Here's why UnderHost delivers superior control panel performance:
Free Performance-Optimized Installation
UnderHost provides free optimized installation of any control panel with performance tuning specific to our infrastructure. Our team ensures you get the maximum performance demonstrated in these benchmarks.
Deploy Your Optimized Control Panel Today
Choose from 12 free control panels with expert installation on high-performance UnderHost infrastructure
Testing Methodology
Hardware: UnderHost Cloud VPS (2 vCPU, 4GB RAM, NVMe)
Software: WordPress 6.5, PHP 8.2, MySQL 8.0
Testing Tool: Apache Bench with 100 concurrent users, 10,000 requests
Metrics: Requests/second, memory usage, page load time (LCP)
All Panels: Fresh installation with default configurations
