What Are the Differences Between WHM and cPanel? When to Use Which Panel?

In the world of web hosting, various control panels are used to manage websites and control server resources. Among the most popular of these panels are WHM (Web Host Manager) and cPanel. While both offer powerful tools for Internet service providers (ISPs) and website owners, they serve different purposes and have different usage scenarios. In this article, we will examine in detail the fundamental differences between WHM and cPanel, when it is more appropriate to use which panel, and the advantages offered by each.

What is WHM (Web Host Manager)?

WHM is a server management panel designed for web hosting providers or individuals who manage multiple websites. WHM allows you to create, manage, and allocate resources to multiple cPanel accounts on a server. Essentially, WHM is like a "master control panel," and cPanel accounts can be thought of as "user accounts" under this master panel.

Key Features and Benefits of WHM

Management of Multiple cPanel Accounts: WHM allows you to create, delete, suspend, and manage multiple cPanel accounts from a single interface.
Resource Allocation: You can allocate disk space, bandwidth, and other server resources to each cPanel account separately. This allows you to optimize resources according to the needs of each website.
Brand Customization: WHM allows you to customize the cPanel interface according to your own brand. This allows you to offer your customers a professional experience.
Package Management: You can create different hosting packages and assign these packages to new cPanel accounts. For example, you can create different packages such as "Basic," "Medium," and "Professional," and each package can have different resource limits.
Server Security: WHM offers various tools and features to enhance server security. You can easily manage operations such as firewall configuration, malware scanning, and security updates through WHM.
DNS Management: WHM offers powerful tools for managing DNS records. You can point domain names to your server, edit MX records, and easily configure other DNS settings.
Backup and Restore: WHM allows you to back up and restore all cPanel accounts or specific accounts. This is a critical feature to prevent data loss.

When Should WHM Be Used?

WHM is ideal for use in the following situations:

If You Are a Web Hosting Provider: If you offer web hosting services to your customers, WHM provides you with the necessary tools to manage your customers' websites.
If You Manage Multiple Websites: If you have multiple websites and want a separate cPanel account for each, WHM offers you the convenience of managing these accounts from a single location.
If You Want to Control Resources: If you want to control how much resource is allocated to each website, WHM gives you complete control over this.

What is cPanel?

cPanel is a web hosting control panel designed to manage a single website. cPanel allows you to upload your website's files, manage databases, create email accounts, and perform various other website management tasks. cPanel typically has a user-friendly interface and allows website owners to easily manage their websites without technical knowledge.

Key Features and Benefits of cPanel

File Management: cPanel allows you to upload, edit, and delete your website's files. The file manager interface allows you to easily manage files.
Database Management: cPanel allows you to create, manage, and back up MySQL databases. Tools like phpMyAdmin help you easily manage your databases.
Email Management: cPanel allows you to create and manage email accounts and access your emails through the webmail interface.
Domain Name Management: cPanel allows you to manage your domain names, create subdomains, and edit DNS records.
Security: cPanel offers various security features to keep your website secure. You can easily perform operations such as SSL certificate installation, IP blocking, and password protection through cPanel.
Backup and Restore: cPanel allows you to back up and restore your website's files and databases.
Application Installer: cPanel allows you to install popular web applications such as WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal with a single click.

When Should cPanel Be Used?

cPanel is ideal for use in the following situations:

If You Manage a Single Website: If you have a single website and want a simple and user-friendly interface to manage it, cPanel is the right choice for you.
If You Are New to Website Management: If you are new to website management, cPanel's user-friendly interface allows you to easily manage your website.
If Your Web Hosting Provider Offers cPanel: Most web hosting providers offer cPanel. In this case, using cPanel to manage your website is the most natural option.

Key Differences Between WHM and cPanel

The following table summarizes the key differences between WHM and cPanel:

Feature	WHM	cPanel
Purpose	Server Management (Multiple cPanel Accounts)	Website Management (Single Website)
User	Web Hosting Providers, Those Managing Multiple Websites	Website Owners
Interface	Server-Level Management Interface	Website-Level Management Interface
Account Management	Creating and Managing cPanel Accounts	Managing a Single Website
Resource Allocation	Allocating Resources to cPanel Accounts	Using Allocated Resources

Example Scenarios

Scenario 1: You run a web hosting company. You want to offer different hosting packages to your customers. In this case, you can use WHM to create different hosting packages and assign different resource limits to each package. Then, you can create a cPanel account for each customer and assign that account to one of the packages you created.

Scenario 2: You have a single website and want to manage it. In this case, you can use cPanel to upload your website's files, manage your databases, create email accounts, and perform various other website management tasks.

Scenario 3: You have an agency and manage the websites of multiple clients. You want to create a separate cPanel account for each client and manage these accounts from a single location. In this case, you can use WHM to create a cPanel account for each client and manage these accounts from a single WHM interface.

Conclusion and Summary

WHM and cPanel are two powerful control panels that play an important role in the web hosting world. WHM is designed for server management and managing multiple cPanel accounts, while cPanel is designed to manage a single website. Which panel is the right choice for you depends on your needs and usage scenario. If you are a web hosting provider or manage multiple websites, WHM will be the right choice for you. If you have a single website and want a simple and user-friendly interface to manage it, cPanel is the right choice for you.