Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

cPanel VS WP-CLI

Compare cPanel VS WP-CLI 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.

WP-CLI logo WP-CLI

WP-CLI is the command-line interface for WordPress.
  • cPanel Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-18
  • WP-CLI Landing page
    Landing page //
    2019-09-10

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.

WP-CLI features and specs

  • Efficient Management
    WP-CLI allows users to manage WordPress sites using command-line, providing quicker and more efficient access to tasks than traditional dashboards.
  • Automation Capabilities
    It supports scripting and automation, enabling users to automate repetitive tasks like updates and backups, which can save time and reduce human error.
  • Resource Lightweight
    WP-CLI operates without a graphical user interface, making it less resource-intensive and faster, particularly beneficial for remote servers or large-scale operations.
  • Extensibility
    Developers can extend WP-CLI by creating custom commands, tailoring the tool to specific workflows or project requirements.
  • Programmatic Access
    It enables developers to interact with WordPress programmatically, which can be useful for integrating WordPress with other systems or tools.

Possible disadvantages of WP-CLI

  • Steep Learning Curve
    Users unfamiliar with command-line interfaces may find WP-CLI challenging to learn and use effectively without prior experience or training.
  • Limited Visual Feedback
    Since it is a command-line tool, WP-CLI does not provide graphical feedback, which can make it harder for users to visualize the changes they are making.
  • Potential for Human Error
    The precision required in command-line syntax can lead to potentially severe mistakes if commands are entered incorrectly.
  • Partial Plugin Support
    Not all WordPress plugins or themes offer full support for WP-CLI, which might limit its usefulness in certain scenarios.
  • Compatibility Constraints
    WP-CLI may require certain server configurations or dependencies, which can create compatibility issues or require additional setup effort.

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

WP-CLI videos

wp-cli - WordPress from the command line

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to cPanel and WP-CLI)
Hosting
100 100%
0% 0
VPS
74 74%
26% 26
Control Panels
100 100%
0% 0
Cloud Hosting
0 0%
100% 100

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 WP-CLI

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

WP-CLI Reviews

We have no reviews of WP-CLI yet.
Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, WP-CLI should be more popular than cPanel. It has been mentiond 34 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

WP-CLI mentions (34)

  • Power of WP-CLI: Streamline Your WordPress Workflow
    Installation: Follow the simple steps on https://wp-cli.org/ to install it on your operating system. - Source: dev.to / 17 days ago
  • Getting Started with WP-CLI: A Powerful Tool for WordPress Developers
    If WP-CLI is not installed on your system or hosting environment, you can manually install it by following the instructions above or on the official WP-CLI website. - Source: dev.to / about 2 months ago
  • Migrate from Thinkific to WordPress. #5 Other adaptations and conclusions
    WP-CLI is a very powerful and flexible tool that can be helpful in many situations like these migrations. I recommend it every time I have the chance; I've used it in dozens of projects, and each time, I've successfully accomplished everything I needed with it. - Source: dev.to / 2 months ago
  • Mastering WordPress CLI: A Comprehensive Guide to Boost Your Productivity
    As of my last knowledge update in January 2022, the list of WordPress CLI commands may have expanded or changed. It's always a good idea to check the official WP-CLI documentation for the most up-to-date information. Here's a list of common WP-CLI commands as of my last update:. - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
  • Docker environment for WordPress development
    Is a Docker WordPress Environment focused on the development of WordPress plugins and themes, supports WP-CLI, phpMyAdmin, Xdebug and WordPress Coding Standards - WPCS. - Source: dev.to / almost 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing cPanel and WP-CLI, 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.

SlickStack - SlickStack is a free LEMP stack automation script written in Bash designed to enhance and simplify WordPress provisioning, performance, and security.

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

Webinoly - Optimized LEMP Web Server automation script for Ubuntu LTS releases.

Hostwinds - Hostwinds offers web hosting services and solutions.

WordOps - An essential toolset that eases WordPress site and server administration