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This article will explain to you what the difference is between cPanel and WHM. cPanel and WHM (WebHost Manager) are two separate tools that work together to help you manage your web hosting account. While they both provide access to server and website management features, their purposes and user levels are different. Hosted.com® makes it easy to understand and use both tools effectively.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
What Is The Difference Between cPanel And WHM
What is cPanel
cPanel is a control panel designed for website owners and end-users. It allows you to manage the content, email, and settings of your website without needing advanced technical knowledge.
Common tasks in cPanel include:
- Managing email accounts, forwarders, and autoresponders.
- Installing applications like WordPress, Joomla, or Drupal.
- Uploading, editing, and managing website files through File Manager or FTP.
- Configuring DNS records, such as A, MX, TXT, and CNAME records.
- Managing databases, including MySQL and phpMyAdmin.
cPanel is user-friendly and ideal for individuals or businesses managing their own website.
What is WHM (WebHost Manager)
WHM is a server management interface primarily designed for hosting providers and resellers. It provides high-level control over hosting accounts and server resources.
Common tasks in WHM include:
- Creating, managing, and deleting cPanel accounts.
- Assigning resources (disk space, bandwidth) to accounts.
- Managing server security, including SSL, firewall, and PHP settings.
- Monitoring server performance and usage statistics.
- Configuring reseller permissions and privileges.
WHM is more technical, and is mostly used by hosting providers, server administrators, or resellers.
Key Differences Between cPanel and WHM
| FEATURE | CPANEL | WHM |
| User Level | End-user / Website owner | Server admin / Reseller |
| Purpose | Manage individual websites and email | Manage multiple cPanel accounts and server settings |
| Access | Login via domain/cPanel URL | Login via WHM URL (usually server IP or domain with /whm) |
| Functionality | File management, email, databases, apps | Account creation, resource allocation, security, server monitoring |
Additional Information
- Access Requirements: Most Hosted.com® users will only need cPanel. WHM access is typically reserved for resellers or VPS/dedicated server clients.
- Integration: WHM creates and manages cPanel accounts, so all cPanel accounts on a server are linked to WHM.
- Security Considerations: cPanel provides tools to manage your website securely, but server-wide security settings are controlled via WHM.
- Customization: WHM allows administrators to set default themes, packages, and limits for cPanel accounts.
- Learning Curve: cPanel is beginner-friendly, while WHM requires more technical knowledge of server management
