What Is The Difference Between cPanel and WHM

cPanel and WHM (Web Host Manager) are two separate interfaces often used together in web hosting environments. While they are linked, they serve different purposes and are targeted at different users. Here's the difference between cPanel and WHM:

1. Purpose:

cPanel:

cPanel is designed for website owners and end users who manage individual websites.

It provides an easy-to-use interface for managing website files, databases, emails, domains, and other hosting-related tasks.

WHM (Web Host Manager):

WHM is a server administration tool designed for server administrators and web hosting resellers.

It allows you to manage multiple cPanel accounts, configure server settings, allocate resources, and monitor server performance.

2. Users:

cPanel:

Intended for individual website owners or clients who want to manage their websites.

A user-friendly interface lets users manage hosting services without needing advanced technical knowledge.

WHM:

Aimed at system administrators, web hosting resellers, or cloud hosting providers.

Users with WHM access can manage multiple cPanel accounts and perform advanced server administration tasks.

3. Functionality:

cPanel:

Manage website content (files, databases, FTP).

Set up email accounts and manage email services.

Install software like WordPress or other CMS platforms.

Manage domain settings, SSL certificates, and DNS records.

Backup and restore website data.

WHM:

Create, modify, and delete cPanel accounts.

Manage hosting packages (control resources such as disk space, bandwidth).

Configure and monitor server settings and services (Apache, PHP, MySQL).

Set up and manage resellers.

Monitor overall server health and usage statistics.

Handle server-wide security settings, firewall configurations, and software updates.

4. Access Level:

cPanel:

Limited to a specific account or domain.

Each user typically has access only to their own cPanel account and can manage their website(s).

WHM:

Root-level or reseller-level access.

The user can manage multiple cPanel accounts, resellers, and server settings.

5. Control and Customization:

cPanel:

Focused on managing one website or account.

Limited control over server configurations, focusing more on site-level tasks.

WHM:

Full control over the server or VPS, allowing advanced customization of hosting plans and resources.

Can configure global server settings and manage all cPanel accounts from a single interface.

6. Licensing:

cPanel:

Each individual hosting account typically gets its own cPanel instance.

Users log in to cPanel through http://yourdomain.com/cpanel.

WHM:

Comes with higher-level hosting plans, such as VPS or dedicated server hosting.

Users log in to WHM through http://yourdomain.com:2087.

7. Integration:

cPanel and WHM Together:

WHM is used to create and manage cPanel accounts.

Each cPanel account is isolated, and WHM users can define limits for disk space, email accounts, and other resources for each cPanel user.

Summary:

cPanel is for managing individual websites and domains.

WHM is for managing multiple cPanel accounts and server-wide settings.

In a hosting environment, WHM provides the administrative control, while cPanel offers the tools for everyday website management.