Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Virtualmin VS Plesk

Compare Virtualmin VS Plesk and see what are their differences

Virtualmin logo Virtualmin

It includes numerous features not in the GPL version (like script installers, resellers, HTML editor, an improved UI, mobile access, spam and virus filtering).

Plesk logo Plesk

Plesk puts all the automation, security, and technical tools an IT professional needs in one simple and easy to use dashboard.
  • Virtualmin Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-08-06
  • Plesk Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-19

Virtualmin features and specs

  • Comprehensive Feature Set
    Virtualmin offers a wide range of features including domain management, email management, backups, and server monitoring, making it a comprehensive solution for web hosting needs.
  • Open Source
    As an open-source platform, Virtualmin allows users to customize and modify the code to fit their needs, fostering a community-driven development model.
  • Integration with Webmin
    Virtualmin integrates seamlessly with Webmin, an advanced web-based interface for system administration, enhancing the overall capabilities and user experience.
  • Cost-Effective
    There is a free version available (Virtualmin GPL), making it a cost-effective solution for individuals and small businesses.
  • Security Features
    Virtualmin includes robust security features such as SSL support, user access controls, and regular security updates, ensuring safe server management.
  • Multi-Platform Support
    It supports multiple operating systems including various distributions of Linux, making it a flexible option for different server environments.

Possible disadvantages of Virtualmin

  • Complexity
    The extensive feature set can be overwhelming for new users or those without extensive technical knowledge, leading to a steep learning curve.
  • Performance Overhead
    Running Virtualmin, especially on low-resource servers, can result in performance overhead, affecting the overall speed and efficiency of the server.
  • Limited Community Support
    Compared to more popular alternatives like cPanel, the community around Virtualmin is smaller, which can make finding help and resources more challenging.
  • Paid Version Limitations
    Some advanced features and professional support are only available in the paid version, which might not be feasible for all users.
  • UI and UX
    The user interface and user experience of Virtualmin may not be as polished or intuitive as some of its commercial counterparts.
  • Dependency on Webmin
    Its reliance on Webmin can be a disadvantage if updates or bugs within Webmin negatively impact Virtualmin’s performance.

Plesk features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Plesk offers a highly intuitive and user-friendly interface, making it easy for even non-experts to manage web hosting tasks.
  • Multi-Platform Support
    Plesk supports multiple operating systems, including both Linux and Windows, providing versatility for different server environments.
  • Comprehensive Feature Set
    Plesk includes a wide array of features such as automated updates, backups, and security tools, which help manage websites more efficiently.
  • Third-Party Integrations
    Plesk supports integration with various third-party applications and services, including WordPress, Docker, and Git, allowing for enhanced functionality.
  • Security Features
    Plesk offers advanced security features like firewall, SSL certificates, and anti-spam filters, ensuring robust protection for websites.
  • Scalability
    Plesk accommodates businesses of all sizes, making it suitable for both small businesses and large enterprises looking to scale their operations.

Possible disadvantages of Plesk

  • Cost
    Plesk can be relatively expensive compared to some other control panels, especially for small businesses or startups with limited budgets.
  • Resource-Intensive
    Plesk can be resource-intensive, requiring a fairly powerful server to run smoothly, which might not be ideal for low-end hosting environments.
  • Complexity for Advanced Users
    While user-friendly for beginners, advanced users might find Plesk's abstraction layers limiting and prefer more direct control through CLI (Command Line Interface).
  • Vendor Lock-In
    Switching from Plesk to another control panel can be challenging, potentially leading to a feeling of being locked into their ecosystem.
  • Support Costs
    Though Plesk offers customer support, premium support options can be costly, adding to the overall expenditure for businesses.

Analysis of Virtualmin

Overall verdict

  • Overall, Virtualmin is a reliable and robust option for managing web hosting servers. It is well-suited for both beginners due to its ease of use, and for advanced users who need a wide range of functionalities and customization options.

Why this product is good

  • Virtualmin is a popular web hosting control panel that is appreciated for its comprehensive feature set, including support for multiple domains, databases, and mail accounts. It offers a user-friendly interface and automation tools that make server management easier for users. Additionally, Virtualmin supports various operating systems, enhancing its versatility. It's open-source nature and active community contribute to regular updates and improvements.

Recommended for

    Virtualmin is recommended for web hosting providers, developers, and businesses that require a scalable and feature-rich control panel for managing multiple websites and services. It's also ideal for those who prefer open-source solutions and seek cost-effective alternatives to commercial control panels.

Analysis of Plesk

Overall verdict

  • Plesk is generally considered a good option for web hosting management due to its comprehensive feature set, ease of use, and flexibility. While it may not be the perfect fit for every situation, its strengths in functionality and user experience make it a solid choice for many users.

Why this product is good

  • Plesk is a popular web hosting control panel used by many administrators due to its user-friendly interface, wide range of features, and support for multiple platforms. It offers extensive tools for managing websites, domains, emails, databases, and various security measures, making it an efficient solution for both beginners and experienced users. Additionally, Plesk supports a wide variety of integrations and extensions, enabling users to customize their hosting environment according to their specific needs. It also provides automation features that can help reduce administrative overhead.

Recommended for

    Plesk is recommended for small to medium-sized businesses, web developers, hosting providers, and anyone looking to manage multiple websites efficiently. It is particularly suitable for users who prefer a graphical interface over command-line tools and those who need reliable tech support.

Virtualmin videos

Virtualmin Introduction

More videos:

  • Review - Virtualmin Installation and Configuration with CentOS 7 on Vultr

Plesk videos

cPanel vs Plesk Web Hosting Control Panels Compared

More videos:

  • Review - Website, WordPress, multiple Domains Hosting on DigitalOcean with the Plesk Control Panel
  • Review - Plesk Year in Review: 2018

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Virtualmin and Plesk)
Hosting
19 19%
81% 81
Control Panels
100 100%
0% 0
Cloud Computing
12 12%
88% 88
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 Virtualmin and Plesk

Virtualmin Reviews

6 cPanel Alternatives
System administrators needing to separate a system into virtual machines (VMs) can install Virtualmin to manage partitioned Webmin accounts.
The Best cPanel Alternatives In 2021
Virtualmin is an extension of Webmin, which is a very popular system admin interface for Linux systems. It’s also one of the few free and open-source options on this list, although paid plans are also available in case you need more features.
Top 11 cPanel Alternatives to Help Manage Your Websites
You’re also able to extend Virtualmin using several applications and scripts for around 100 different products. That said, integration with the cloud is already included out of the box so that you can set up cloud storage with Amazon S3, Dropbox, Google Cloud, Rackspace, and more.
Source: kinsta.com
2020's Ultimate Guide to Web Panels: cPanel vs. Plesk vs. Webmin vs. Other Popular Hosting Management Tools
Virtualmin GPL is the core web control panel software with a solid feature set and a pleasant user interface. This product is also available in Webmin module form. Virtualmin offers four methods for managing your server: from the Web, mobile, command line, and through a remote HTTP API.

Plesk Reviews

Top 12 Best VPS Control Panels for 2025
Whether you’re an end user looking to manage a VPS or a server admin, the Plesk Control Panel is a fantastic solution to manage your servers. It offers many standard features and automation options. The Plesk control panel is compatible with all major platforms and OS’s.
Explore Top VestaCP Alternative: Find the Perfect Control Panel for Your Hosting Needs
Webmin is a resilient web-based control panel, offering an array of meticulously designed tools to manage diverse functionalities within Linux-based servers. Primarily geared towards Unix-like systems, Webmin provides a notable substitute for Plesk. Through the ease of a web browser, users gain the ability to perform a multitude of tasks – ranging from user account setup to...
Source: cyberpanel.net
10 Best cPanel Alternatives and Competitors in 2022 and Beyond
Whether you are a hosting provider, developer, or an agency, Plesk is for you. With over 100 Plesk extensions, you can get your favorite tools at one-click.
Source: macpost.net
The Best cPanel Alternatives In 2021
Plesk can work with multiple websites and integrates well with WordPress or other CMS platforms. They also offer an extensive plugin library to enhance the feature set and customize the panel. It’s also worth noting that Plesk is owned by the same company that owns cPanel.
Plesk and Other cPanel Alternatives in 2020
Plesk is one of the most popular cPanel alternative in 2020. Plesk is an all-in-one web hosting control panel that lets you set up new websites, new reseller accounts, email accounts, and automate your website management through a web-based interface.
Source: luxhosting.lu

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Virtualmin seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 1 time 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.

Virtualmin mentions (1)

  • What is the best way to manage a large number of dev environments?
    If you want to keep the learning curve flat have a look at virtualmin. Source: over 3 years ago

Plesk mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Plesk yet. Tracking of Plesk recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Virtualmin and Plesk, you can also consider the following products

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.

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

Google App Engine - A powerful platform to build web and mobile apps that scale automatically.

Vesta Control Panel - – What I love about Vesta is that it's fast and easy to use

Salesforce Platform - Salesforce Platform is a comprehensive PaaS solution that paves the way for the developers to test, build, and mitigate the issues in the cloud application before the final deployment.

Control Web Panel - (Former CentOS Web Panel) Free & PRO Linux Web Hosting Control Panel