Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

cPanel VS RunCloud

Compare cPanel VS RunCloud and see what are their differences

cPanel logo cPanel

With its first-class support and rich feature set, cPanel & WHM has been the web hosting industry's most reliable, intuitive control panel since 1997.

RunCloud logo RunCloud

Hassle-free PHP web application & server management panel
  • cPanel Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-18
  • RunCloud Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-12-07

RunCloud is a modern web server panel for cloud servers such as AWS (Amazon Web Service), Digital Ocean, Google Cloud Platform, Alibaba Cloud, and other VPS hosting. In short, RunCloud is a deployment tool for the web developer to simplify the process of configuring, setting up a cloud server and deployment of web applications. It's focused on optimization, security and user experience to enable easy, hassle-free web server management and application deployment.

cPanel features and specs

  • User-friendly Interface
    cPanel offers an intuitive and easy-to-navigate graphical user interface (GUI) that is accessible even to those with limited technical expertise, making server management simpler.
  • Comprehensive Feature Set
    The platform includes a wide range of functionality such as email management, domain management, database management, file management, and security tools, which cover most needs of web administrators.
  • Wide Adoption and Support
    cPanel is widely used across the web hosting industry, ensuring plenty of community support, tutorials, and troubleshooting resources available online.
  • Compatibility
    cPanel is highly compatible with a variety of third-party applications and services, facilitating seamless integration with popular software solutions.
  • Automated Updates and Backups
    The platform supports automated updates and backups, enhancing server reliability and data security without requiring constant manual intervention.
  • Built-in Security Features
    cPanel includes robust security features such as automatic SSL installation, firewalls, and protection against brute-force attacks, aiding data protection and server defense.

Possible disadvantages of cPanel

  • Cost
    cPanel licenses can be pricey, especially for small businesses or individual users. This makes it a less attractive option for those looking to minimize their hosting expenses.
  • Resource Intensive
    The platform can consume considerable server resources, which might not be ideal for websites running on limited resources or shared hosting environments.
  • Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    While the basic features are user-friendly, more advanced functionalities might have a steep learning curve, requiring users to spend additional time gaining proficiency.
  • Limited Customizability
    Users with specific needs may find cPanel somewhat restrictive as it does not offer the same level of customizability as some other control panel solutions.
  • Dependency on cPanel Support
    In case of any issues or requirements for updates, users are often dependent on cPanel’s support and update cycle, which might not always be timely.
  • Security Vulnerabilities
    As cPanel is widely used, it becomes a more attractive target for hackers. Despite built-in security features, this widespread adoption can lead to potential security vulnerabilities.

RunCloud features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    RunCloud provides a clean and intuitive interface that simplifies server management, making it accessible even to users with limited technical expertise.
  • One-Click Application Deployment
    Users can quickly deploy popular web applications like WordPress, Laravel, and others with just one click, saving significant time and effort.
  • Automated Server Configuration
    RunCloud automates various server configuration tasks such as setting up firewalls, installing PHP versions, and configuring databases, reducing the technical burden on the user.
  • Performance Optimization
    The platform includes built-in performance optimization features such as server caching, ensuring your applications run efficiently.
  • Team Collaboration Tools
    RunCloud offers tools for team collaboration, allowing multiple users to manage the same server with role-based access control.
  • Security Features
    The service includes robust security features like automated SSL certificate installation and server monitoring, enhancing the security of hosted applications.

Possible disadvantages of RunCloud

  • Cost
    RunCloud can be relatively expensive, especially for small businesses or individual developers who are on a tight budget.
  • Limited Cloud Provider Compatibility
    RunCloud supports major cloud providers but may not be compatible with all hosting services, limiting flexibility for some users.
  • Learning Curve
    While the interface is user-friendly, there can still be a learning curve for users unfamiliar with server management concepts.
  • Support Limitations
    Some users have reported that the support response time can be slow, and the available documentation may not cover all advanced use cases.
  • Feature Overlap
    Advanced users might find that some of the automated features overlap with their current workflow or custom setup, reducing the platform's overall utility.

cPanel videos

Web Hosting & CPanel Guide - How To Easily Upload Your Website

More videos:

  • Review - cPanel Alternative AaPanel Features & Review Free Hosting Panel [Official]
  • Review - WHM/cPanel Review

RunCloud videos

RunCloud webhosting cloud-panel review

More videos:

  • Tutorial - How to have multiple Wordpress Sites using RunCloud and Digital Ocean
  • Review - Cloudways vs Runcloud Review - Level Up Your Wordpress Hosting In 2020

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to cPanel and RunCloud)
Hosting
86 86%
14% 14
Monitoring Tools
0 0%
100% 100
Control Panels
100 100%
0% 0
Server Management
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare cPanel and RunCloud

cPanel Reviews

  1. Best Reviews
    · Working at Best Reviews ·
    SPanel vs cPanel Comparison

    Both SPanel and cPanel have their unique strengths. SPanel excels in simplicity, speed, and affordability, making it ideal for VPS users seeking a lightweight and efficient control panel without breaking the bank. However, since it’s slightly younger on the market, it’s not yet compatible with many hosting providers.

    🏁 Competitors: SPanel

SPanel vs cPanel Comparison
cPanel supports a wide range of hosting environments, from shared to dedicated. Its control panel allows users to easily manage multiple websites, email accounts, databases, and more. Whether users are small businesses using shared hosting or enterprises running dedicated servers, cPanel provides the flexibility and scalability to match any hosting setup.
Source: bestreviews.net
Top 12 Best VPS Control Panels for 2025
cPanel and DirectAdmin are two of the most popular hosting control panels. The latter offers a user-friendly interface and the ability to manage your website’s administrative functions. It also provides access to a number of online resources. However, cPanel has a much larger feature set, making it the obvious choice for those looking for a control panel to manage their...
Forget cPanel! 5 Free cPanel Alternatives That Will Manage Your Web Apps
Choosing the right free cPanel alternative requires careful consideration of your specific needs and preferences. By assessing your requirements, considering ease of use, compatibility, community support, performance, security features, customization options, and gathering feedback from other users, you can make an informed decision.
Source: webshanks.com
Explore Top VestaCP Alternative: Find the Perfect Control Panel for Your Hosting Needs
cPanel SoloAdminProPremier$15/mo$27/mo$39/mo$59/moSuited for small businesses, freelancers, or anyone needing just one hosting account.Created for small to mid-level agencies and businesses, application developers, and web designers only needing a few accounts.Optimal for mid-level businesses and large agencies that are growing. Allows for scalability.Created for data...
Source: cyberpanel.net
10 Best cPanel Alternatives and Competitors in 2022 and Beyond
We all know the popularity of cPanel. The simplicity that cPanel offers is the reason why most of the web hosts prefer it. But you should know that there are several other cPanel alternatives and competitors that offer the same functions.
Source: macpost.net

RunCloud Reviews

10 Best cPanel Alternatives and Competitors in 2022 and Beyond
You can start the free trial with no credit card required and cancel it anytime. At RunCloud, you will find all the tools to run your website along with your team members on the side. You can give access to team members to manage your server.
Source: macpost.net
Top 8 best CyberPanel Alternatives
RunCloud is another great alternative to CyberPanel. As with CloudPages, RunCloud is a SaaS-based web hosting panel that is designed to manage PHP-based applications. For example, WordPress and similar PHP-based applications. You can easily manage your website with RunCloud without any server-level knowledge.
The Best cPanel Alternatives In 2021
RunCloud is a server control panel that focuses on PHP applications like WordPress and other CMS software. Since it’s a SaaS option, installation is very easy and hassle-free. All you need to do is make an account and run the installation script on your server through SSH. Once that is done, you’ll be able to manage settings and monitor the server status right from...
CloudStick Review: How To Host WordPress with CloudStick?
RunCloud offers a 5-day free trial to try out its powerful cloud server management control panel. With RunCloud’s simple and intuitive cloud control panel, you no longer require Linux expertise and can easily build a website on the top cloud hosting solutions. Whether you are a blogger, startup, or an enterprise, you have got the tools to run a cloud hosting effortlessly at...
12 Best Free cPanel Alternatives ✅ – Manage Your Hosting for Free
Free File ManagerRunCloud’s built-in file manager allows you to quickly access your Web Application files without needing to launch a terminal window to SSH into your servers.
Source: cloudsmatch.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, cPanel should be more popular than RunCloud. It has been mentiond 20 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

cPanel mentions (20)

  • How to create a Node.js web server with cPanel
    Welcome to this article, where I guide you on creating your own Node.js Express web server with cPanel. This guide will apply for most domain registrars which offer hosting services with cPanel, such as Namecheap or Hostgator, but for this tutorial, we will be using Spaceship Shared Hosting. - Source: dev.to / 10 months ago
  • The 2024 Web Hosting Report
    This category dates back to the “control panel” era of tools that are still used on shared VM hosts, such as cPanel. These tools automate common functions such as managing authentication, deployment of databases, etc. - Source: dev.to / about 1 year ago
  • A few general questions about starting out.
    Most Likely scenario is that your client is using a service with something like cPanel setup. This is where they would get or set-up access credentials for you to then transfer the files via sftp. Essentially the same as copying files onto another hard drive, but over the internet. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Cloud VPS cPanel/WHM
    There is a way. Go to cpanel.net and buy a cPanel Pro for 30 accounts or an admin for 5 accounts or a solo for 1 account only. Source: about 2 years ago
  • What according to u is Easy Linux distribution for hosting sites?
    If you aren't in this to learn a lot, you may want to also consider a web hosting control panel like cPanel (not free), DirectAdmin(not free), webmin + virtualmin (free for multiple sites, virtualmin Pro is not free), Centos webpanel (not FOSS but free for non-Pro), Hestia control panel (FOSS), Plesk Obsidian (not free). Source: over 2 years ago
View more

RunCloud mentions (11)

  • Cloudways Asking Me for My Passport to Sign Up; Avoid Them?
    It's a server management service, they use AWS (or your host of choice) under the hood. I personally use something similar called Runcloud which I haven't had any problems with. It's a halfway house between a managed platform and your own VPS. Means you don't have to worry about security, vhosts, ssl certificates, restricting access etc... With real person support if you need it, and a tidy interface to monitor... Source: over 2 years ago
  • free-for.dev
    Runcloud.io - Server management focusing mainly on PHP projects. Free for up to 1 server. - Source: dev.to / over 2 years ago
  • Hosting panel for WordPress
    Maybe something more extensive than what you need, but RunCloud checks all of your boxes: runcloud.io. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • Alternatives to Runcloud.io
    So after a good number of years on runcloud.io, (basic and Pro plans yes, I run multiple accounts) I am looking to see if there are alternatives to it, that may offer more features/same pricing or better pricing. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • Ask HN: What should I use instead of Heroku?
    For PHP https://platform.sh has got a lot of traction, but it's notc cheap especially for small apps. If you hadn't wanted the Docker-based backing I would suggest trying one of the services that automates setting up your VMs at AWS, DigitalOcean, Linode etc like https://forge.laravel.com/, https://runcloud.io/, https://serverpilot.io/, https://www.cloudways.com/ etc. - Source: Hacker News / almost 3 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing cPanel and RunCloud, you can also consider the following products

Plesk - Plesk puts all the automation, security, and technical tools an IT professional needs in one simple and easy to use dashboard.

CentminMod - Centmin Mod is a LEMP stack shell menu based auto installer.

Webmin - Webmin is a web-based interface for system administration for Unix.

ServerPilot.io - Centralized hosting control panel for Wordpress and PHP web sites

Hostwinds - Hostwinds offers web hosting services and solutions.

Ploi.io - Stop the Hassle. Start deploi'ing. Use Ploi.io for easy site deployments. We take all the difficult work out of your hands, so you can focus on doing what you love: developing your application.