We compare HestiaCP and CyberPanel because—let’s face it—not all control panels are built for the same kind of user or workload. While both help you manage web hosting environments with a browser-based interface, they take very different approach.

Hestia is lightweight, Debian/Ubuntu-focused, and perfect for those who want simplicity with stability. CyberPanel, on the other hand, is powered by LiteSpeed (or OpenLiteSpeed), brings in high-performance features, Docker support, a modern UI, and REST APIs—making it more appealing to power users and WordPress speed enthusiasts.

So, whether you're setting up a personal server or running client-heavy infrastructure, comparing the two helps you pick the one that truly fits your technical goals and hosting style.

What is Hestia?

Hestia, officially known as Hestia Control Panel (HestiaCP), is a free and open-source web hosting control panel designed for Debian and Ubuntu servers. It provides a simple web-based interface to manage websites, email accounts, DNS zones, databases, and SSL certificates. Built as a modern fork of VestaCP, Hestia focuses on security, performance, and ease of use—making it ideal for developers, sysadmins, and small hosting providers who want a lightweight yet powerful panel without licensing costs. 

✅ Pros of HestiaCP

1. Lightweight & Fast
   Runs smoothly even on low-spec VPSs—great for minimal setups and resource-sensitive environments.
2. Open Source & Free
   No licensing fees, no restrictions. Full access to the code with an active community backing it.
3. Clean & Simple UI
   User interface is intuitive, fast-loading, and easy to navigate without unnecessary bloat.
4. Debian/Ubuntu Native
   Optimized specifically for Debian-based systems, which ensures tighter OS integration and fewer conflicts.
5. Solid Email Stack
   Comes with Exim, Dovecot, SpamAssassin, and RoundCube out of the box—ready to handle mail without extra setup.
6. Let's Encrypt Integration
   Free SSL certificates with one-click install and automatic renewal.
7. Regular Backups
   Built-in backup system with support for remote FTP/SFTP backup targets.

❌ Cons of HestiaCP

1. No Built-in File Manager
   You'll need to use SFTP or the command line to manage files—no web-based GUI file editor available.
2. Limited to Debian/Ubuntu
   If you're running CentOS, AlmaLinux, or other RHEL-based systems, you're out of luck.
3. Basic DNS Management
   DNS tools are functional but lack advanced templates or integration with third-party services.
4. No Plugin Marketplace
   Unlike some panels (e.g., CyberPanel), Hestia doesn't support plugins or extensions natively.
5. No REST API
   Not ideal if you’re looking for DevOps automation or integration into custom workflows.
6. Minimal Multi-Tenant Control
   Reseller or client account handling is basic—sufficient for personal use but not built for high-volume hosting businesses.

What is CyberPanel?

CyberPanel is a modern, open-source web hosting control panel built on OpenLiteSpeed and designed for high performance, especially for WordPress and PHP-based websites. It offers a sleek, user-friendly interface with built-in tools like a file manager, SSL management, DNS editor, email configuration, and even Docker integration. CyberPanel supports multiple operating systems (including CentOS, AlmaLinux, Ubuntu, and Debian) and includes a full REST API for automation. It’s ideal for users who want speed, flexibility, and automation-ready features—all without the licensing fees of traditional panels. 

✅ Pros of CyberPanel

1. Powered by OpenLiteSpeed / LiteSpeed
   Built on one of the fastest web servers available—great for WordPress performance and handling high traffic efficiently.
2. Modern, Intuitive UI
   Sleek and responsive control panel with easy access to all key features—suitable for both beginners and power users.
3. Built-in File Manager
   Includes a web-based file editor and uploader—no need for external SFTP clients.
4. One-Click Installers
   Easily deploy WordPress, Joomla, Prestashop, and more with just a few clicks.
5. Full REST API
   Excellent for developers and sysadmins who want to automate deployments, user management, backups, and more.
6. Email Hosting Support
   Postfix + Dovecot stack with Rainloop for webmail—fully functional mail server out of the box.
7. Docker Manager
   Manage Docker containers and images directly from the panel—rare in free panels.
8. SSL with Let’s Encrypt
   One-click HTTPS with auto-renewal support and wildcard certificate capabilities.
9. Integrated Security
   Comes with ModSecurity, CSF firewall, and brute-force protection—baked right into the panel.

❌ Cons of CyberPanel

1. Higher Resource Usage
   Due to its advanced features and services (like LSCache, Docker), it consumes more RAM and CPU compared to lightweight panels like Hestia.
2. Learning Curve for New Admins
   While the UI is friendly, some backend features (like DNS templates, modsec tuning, or Docker) require technical familiarity.
3. LiteSpeed Enterprise is Paid
   While OpenLiteSpeed is free, unlocking full features (like .htaccess compatibility or ESI caching) requires a LiteSpeed Enterprise license.
4. No cPanel-Level Reseller Management
   Multi-user/reseller management exists but lacks some of the deep branding and package customization cPanel offers.

#1 Key Similarities between HestiaCP vs CyberPanel

1. ✅ Web-Based Interface
   Both panels provide a fully browser-accessible dashboard for managing servers, websites, DNS, email, databases, and more.
2. ✅ Open Source and Free to Use
   Both offer community editions at no cost, making them accessible for self-hosters, startups, and budget-conscious users.
3. ✅ Support for PHP and MySQL/MariaDB
   Each panel includes support for PHP (multi-version capability) and MySQL/MariaDB with phpMyAdmin integration.
4. ✅ Let's Encrypt SSL Integration
   One-click SSL installation with automatic renewal, ensuring HTTPS is easy and reliable on both platforms.
5. ✅ Built-In Email Server Stack
   Both panels provide integrated email solutions using Postfix (CyberPanel) or Exim (HestiaCP), with Dovecot for IMAP/POP and a webmail interface (Rainloop or RoundCube).
6. ✅ DNS Management Interface
   Each panel includes tools for creating and managing DNS zones, though they use different backends (PowerDNS vs Bind9).
7. ✅ Scheduled Backups
   Native support for creating manual and scheduled backups, including database, file, and full account backups.
8. ✅ Multi-Site Hosting
   Both allow hosting multiple domains/subdomains, with isolated configurations, users, and resources per site.
9. ✅ Firewall and Security Tools
   Each uses a combination of firewall integration (UFW/CSF) and fail2ban for brute-force protection and hardening.
10. ✅ Targeted at Self-Hosted VPS/Dedicated Environments
    Both are designed to run on self-managed Linux servers, giving users full root-level control over the system.

#2 Key Differences between HestiaCP and CyberPanel

 2.1 Web Server Technology

HestiaCP gives you the flexibility of using Nginx as a reverse proxy with Apache or running Nginx standalone—ideal for balancing compatibility and speed.
CyberPanel, on the other hand, is tightly integrated with OpenLiteSpeed or LiteSpeed Enterprise, offering event-driven architecture and built-in caching for lightning-fast web delivery, especially for WordPress.

👉  Choose HestiaCP for flexibility and broad compatibility; go with CyberPanel for cutting-edge performance powered by LiteSpeed’s speed advantage.

2.2 Operating System Support

HestiaCP is laser-focused on Debian and Ubuntu, ensuring deep integration and system stability on these platforms.
CyberPanel casts a wider net, supporting CentOS, AlmaLinux, Debian, and Ubuntu, making it more adaptable across both Debian-based and RHEL-based environments.

👉 HestiaCP offers stability on fewer platforms; CyberPanel wins in OS flexibility for broader deployment scenarios.

2.3 Resource Consumption

HestiaCP is designed to be ultra-lightweight, often running comfortably on 512MB–1GB RAM, making it ideal for micro VPS instances or minimal setups.
CyberPanel, with its LiteSpeed stack, file manager, REST API, and Docker integration, naturally demands more RAM and CPU, typically needing at least 1.5–2GB RAM for stable performance.

👉 HestiaCP is perfect for lean, low-spec deployments; CyberPanel trades higher resource usage for a richer feature set and modern capabilities.

2.4 User Interface

HestiaCP keeps things clean and minimal—its lightweight UI is fast, straightforward, and easy to navigate, especially for users who prefer simplicity.
CyberPanel goes all in with a sleek, modern interface, packed with visual tools, collapsible menus, integrated file manager, and dashboard widgets for a richer experience.

👉 HestiaCP is great for minimalists and speed lovers; CyberPanel is ideal if you want a visually rich, all-in-one dashboard experience.

2.5 Performance Optimization

HestiaCP leans on traditional Nginx-based caching, which works well but usually requires manual tuning or integration with plugins like FastCGI Cache or WP Super Cache.
CyberPanel takes it up a notch with native LiteSpeed Cache (LSCache) support, offering advanced server-level caching, ESI (Edge Side Includes), and built-in acceleration for WordPress, Joomla, Magento, and other CMS platforms.

👉 HestiaCP gives you classic caching with flexibility; CyberPanel delivers next-level performance with out-of-the-box LSCache integration.

2.6 Multi-Tenant Support

HestiaCP keeps things simple with basic admin and user roles, allowing limited delegation but not full account isolation or reseller management.
CyberPanel steps up with a tiered system—admin, reseller, and user levels—complete with customizable hosting packages, disk/email/db limits, and branding options for resellers.

👉 HestiaCP is suited for personal or small team use; CyberPanel is built for multi-client or reseller hosting environments with structured account control.  

#3 Advanced Differences between HestiaCP and CyberPanel

3.1 API & Automation

HestiaCP keeps automation minimal with a set of CLI-based scripts—suitable for basic tasks but lacking remote or programmatic control.
CyberPanel provides a powerful REST API, enabling full automation of user creation, website setup, SSL issuance, backups, and more—ideal for DevOps pipelines and external integrations.

👉 HestiaCP supports light scripting; CyberPanel is a clear winner for developers and automation-driven workflows.

3.2 Plugin Ecosystem

HestiaCP takes a minimalistic route with no native support for third-party plugins, meaning no UI-level extensions or modular add-ons—what you see is what you get.
CyberPanel, by contrast, includes a built-in plugin system with options like Docker Manager, Redis Manager, and custom integrations—making the panel extensible for evolving needs.

👉 HestiaCP is clean but static; CyberPanel offers modular growth through its plugin-friendly architecture.

3.3 Firewall & Security

HestiaCP sticks to the essentials with UFW (Uncomplicated Firewall) for port control and fail2ban to block brute-force attacks—simple, effective, and lightweight.
CyberPanel goes further with CSF (ConfigServer Security & Firewall) for advanced rule management, and also supports ModSecurity with OWASP rule sets for application-layer protection.

👉 HestiaCP provides core-level protection; CyberPanel delivers deeper security controls and web application firewall support out of the box.

3.4 DNS Management

HestiaCP utilizes Bind9, one of the most established DNS servers, with integrated UI controls to manage DNS zones, records, and templates—solid and stable, though fairly traditional.
CyberPanel opts for PowerDNS, offering modern features like DNS templating, a user-friendly GUI, and easier integration with automation workflows.

👉 HestiaCP provides classic, reliable DNS handling with Bind9; CyberPanel adds flexibility and modern DNS templating via PowerDNS for streamlined zone management.

3.6 Community & Documentation

HestiaCP has a smaller but steadily growing community, with active forum discussions, GitHub issue tracking, and well-structured official documentation tailored for self-managed users.
CyberPanel boasts a larger and more diverse user base, extensive third-party tutorials, YouTube walkthroughs, and the option for premium support—especially beneficial for less experienced admins or businesses.

👉 HestiaCP thrives on clean docs and DIY spirit; CyberPanel offers a broader ecosystem with community content and professional support options when needed.

3.7 File Manager

HestiaCP skips the GUI file tools, relying on SFTP or command-line access for file operations—perfect if you're comfortable in the terminal.
CyberPanel, by contrast, offers a built-in web-based file manager with upload, edit, move, and permission tools—making file handling easy right from the browser.

👉 HestiaCP favors lightweight setups with manual control; CyberPanel delivers convenience with a full-featured GUI file manager.

#4 Use Case Summary

✅ HestiaCP – Best For:

1. Low-resource VPS setups
   Great for small servers with limited RAM and CPU.
2. Users who prefer simplicity
   Lightweight, no unnecessary features—just what you need to host websites and emails.
3. Debian/Ubuntu environments
   Works only on these systems, making it stable and reliable if that’s your stack.
4. Personal projects or small teams
   Ideal for single-site owners, developers, or hobbyists.

✅ CyberPanel – Best For:

1. Performance-focused websites
   Perfect for WordPress and other CMSs with LiteSpeed Cache for faster loading.
2. Multi-user or reseller hosting
   Has built-in support for resellers and account packages.
3. Automation and advanced features
   REST API, Docker manager, and one-click app installs make it great for modern setups.
4. Users needing a powerful GUI
   Everything from file manager to DNS is accessible through an easy-to-use web interface.