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cPanel VS Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)

Compare cPanel VS Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) and see what are their differences

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Contents:
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  2. » Videos
  3. » Reviews
  4. » Alternatives

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.

Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) logo Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)

Learn more about how the Windows Subsystem for Linux works.
  • cPanel Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-18
  • Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-17

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.

Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) features and specs

  • Seamless Integration
    WSL allows users to run a Linux distribution alongside their Windows environment, enabling a seamless workflow that combines the best of both operating systems without the need for dual booting.
  • Ease of Use
    Setting up WSL is straightforward via the Microsoft Store, and it provides a user-friendly way to access Linux tools without complex installations or virtual machine setups.
  • Performance
    WSL offers near-native performance for Linux applications, as it manages system calls directly using the Windows kernel, providing better speed compared to traditional virtual machines.
  • Resource Efficiency
    Since it doesn't require a full Linux kernel virtualized layer, WSL consumes fewer resources (such as RAM and CPU), allowing for more efficient multitasking with Windows applications.
  • Development Environment
    WSL provides developers with access to powerful Linux-based tools and frameworks directly from Windows, making it attractive for cross-platform development.

Possible disadvantages of Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)

  • Limited Hardware Support
    WSL might not fully support all hardware features, especially those related to complex peripherals or proprietary drivers that are typically better handled by native Linux installations.
  • Incomplete Linux Experience
    While WSL gives access to many Linux capabilities, it may not support certain system-level operations or kernel modules that are possible in a complete Linux environment.
  • Compatibility Issues
    Some Linux applications or packages might not run smoothly or at all on WSL, requiring workarounds or alternates to achieve the desired functionality.
  • Networking Limitations
    Networking setup may be more complex with WSL, including limited support for certain networking namespaces, which can hinder specific use cases like advanced networking configurations.
  • Overhead Concerns
    Despite lower resource usage than full virtual machines, there's still some performance overhead with WSL due to the translation layer for Linux system calls on the Windows kernel.

cPanel videos

+ Add

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

Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) videos

+ Add

Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) Tutorial & How To

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to cPanel and Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL))

cPanel

Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)

Hosting
100 100%
Hosting
0% 0
Web And Application Servers
0 0%
Web And Application Servers
100% 100
Control Panels
100 100%
Control Panels
0% 0
Development Tools
0 0%
Development Tools
100% 100

User comments

Share your experience with using cPanel and Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL). For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare cPanel and Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)

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...
Source: blog.radwebhosting.com
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

Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) Reviews

We have no reviews of Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) yet.
Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) should be more popular than cPanel. It has been mentiond 125 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 / 11 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 / over 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: over 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

Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) mentions (125)

  • What I wish I knew about Python when I started
    If you are running Microsoft Windows, I want to advise one more prerequisite step that you need to take before getting started with Python or uv: install the Windows Subsystem for Linux, also known as WSL2. Do not, for the love of all that is good and holy, try and install Python tooling directly in Windows; install WSL first. This guide outlines all the steps you need to take to get started, though I recommend... - Source: dev.to / 2 months ago
  • Using curl-impersonate in Node.js to avoid blocks
    Note: node-curl-impersonate is only compatible with Unix-based operating systems like Linux and macOS. If you are on Windows and cannot use the WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux), consider using [ts-curl-impersonate](https://www.npmjs.com/package/ts-curl-impersonate) as an alternative as it comes with native Windows support. - Source: dev.to / 6 months ago
  • Boost Your Productivity with Shell Aliases: A Simple Hack for Flutter Developers
    Another option is to use the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), which gives you a Linux-like terminal on Windows. With WSL, you can follow the same steps for creating aliases as you would on macOS or Linux by editing your .bashrc or .zshrc file. To set up WSL, check out the official Windows Subsystem for Linux documentation. - Source: dev.to / 8 months ago
  • Linux Desktop Market Share Climbs to 4.45%
    A very cursory search would tell you about the Windows Subsystem for Linux: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wsl/about. - Source: Hacker News / 9 months ago
  • Attempted to setup windows-linux dual boot on my PC and screwed it all up - please help
    Dual boot is ssooo previous decades. Let me introduce you to WSL, Windows Subsystem for Linux, now you can run Linux (including GUI) seamlessly from within windows. No dual boot, no sacrifice to security with legacy boot, no restarting to use apps and tools from the other OS, use windows and Linux truly side by side. Source: almost 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing cPanel and Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), 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.

SSH of Windows' Linux subsystem - Installation instructions for the Windows Subsystem for Linux on Windows 10.

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

XAMPP - XAMPP is a free and open-source cross-platform web server that is primarily used when locally developing web applications.

Hostwinds - Hostwinds offers web hosting services and solutions.

Laragon - All in one web server.

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