What is Virtualmin?

Virtualmin is a powerful web hosting control panel built on top of Webmin, designed for managing multiple virtual hosts on a single server. It allows administrators to create and manage websites, email accounts, databases, DNS zones, and SSL certificates with domain-level isolation. Virtualmin supports Apache or NGINX, and integrates with Postfix, Dovecot, MySQL, and other key services. It's available in a free GPL version and a paid Pro version, making it suitable for developers, sysadmins, and small hosting providers who want full control without recurring license costs.

Key features of Virtualmin

✅Web Hosting Management

Manage multiple domains (virtual servers), subdomains, and user accounts with full control over Apache or NGINX configurations.

✅Email Server Integration

Built-in support for Postfix and Dovecot for full-featured mail hosting—plus auto-responders, forwarding, spam filtering, and antivirus integration.

✅SSL & Let’s Encrypt

Automated SSL certificate issuance and renewal via Let’s Encrypt for each domain, including wildcard support and custom certificate uploads.

✅Database Management

Supports both MySQL/MariaDB and PostgreSQL, with tools to create, import, backup, and manage databases per virtual server.

✅DNS & BIND Control

Complete DNS zone management with BIND integration—configure A, MX, SPF, TXT, and other records per hosted domain.

✅Automated Backups

Flexible scheduled or on-demand backups for individual domains, including web, mail, and database content—with restore options.

✅User Isolation & Security

Each domain runs with its own UNIX user, providing secure process isolation; supports 2FA, firewalls, fail2ban, and brute-force protection.

✅Package & Script Installer

Install PHP apps like WordPress, Joomla, or Drupal with a few clicks using the built-in script installer (Pro version offers more scripts).

✅Multi-PHP & PHP-FPM Support

Choose PHP versions per domain, ideal for compatibility across legacy and modern applications—supports PHP-FPM and CGI modes.

✅System Resource Monitoring

Real-time resource usage stats (RAM, CPU, disk) and logs integrated directly into the panel—plus service status and restart control.

✅Extensibility via Webmin

Since it’s built on Webmin, Virtualmin inherits full access to lower-level Linux server administration: cron jobs, firewall, user roles, etc.

What is ISPConfig?

ISPConfig is a free and open-source web hosting control panel designed for managing multiple servers from a single interface. It supports web hosting, DNS, email, FTP, and database services across Apache or NGINX environments. ISPConfig allows administrators to create and manage client accounts, resellers, and individual sites with strong role-based access control. Built for both single and clustered server setups, it includes native support for multi-server environments, making it a solid choice for hosting providers and advanced users seeking centralized control without licensing costs.

Key Features of ISPConfig

✅ Multi-Server Management
Control multiple physical or virtual servers from a single web-based interface.

✅ Role-Based Access Control
Define granular user roles: admin, reseller, client, and email-only accounts.

✅ Web Hosting Support (Apache & NGINX)
Host and manage websites with support for both Apache and NGINX web servers.

✅ Email Hosting with Security Tools
Full mail server setup with Postfix and Dovecot, including antivirus (ClamAV), anti-spam (SpamAssassin), and Amavis integration.

✅ DNS Management (BIND & MyDNS)
Create and manage DNS zones with support for common record types and templates.

✅ FTP Account Management
Integrated support for creating FTP accounts via Pure-FTPd or vsftpd.

✅ Database Hosting (MySQL/MariaDB)
Create and manage databases per website with remote access control.

✅ Let’s Encrypt SSL Integration
Issue and auto-renew free SSL certificates for hosted domains with just a few clicks.

✅ Chroot Shell Access (Jailkit)
Secure shell access for users in a restricted environment using Jailkit.

✅ Backup & Restore Tools
Schedule or run manual backups for websites, databases, and emails.

✅ Firewall Configuration
Manage server firewall rules through the GUI for iptables/ufw.

✅ Statistics and Usage Monitoring
Built-in support for AWStats and Webalizer for traffic analysis and usage tracking.

✅ IPv6 and IPv4 Support
Full dual-stack support across web, mail, and DNS services.

✅ Completely Open-Source (GPL)
No licensing fees—transparent and community-driven development.

Virtualmin is a powerful control panel built on Webmin, ideal for managing multiple websites, email, DNS, and databases on a single server, offering deep system integration and domain-level isolation. In contrast, ISPConfig is a multi-server hosting control panel designed for service providers, supporting advanced user roles, reseller accounts, and centralized management across clustered environments with built-in email security and flexible service configurations.

#1 key similarities between Virtualmin and ISPConfig

1. ✅ Open-Source Availability
   Both are available under open-source licenses—Virtualmin (GPL) and ISPConfig (GPLv3), with no mandatory licensing costs.
2. ✅ Web Hosting Capabilities
   Support for managing multiple websites using Apache or NGINX, with per-site configuration options.
3. ✅ Email Hosting Support
   Integrated mail server features including Postfix and Dovecot, with support for mailboxes, aliases, and forwarding.
4. ✅ DNS Management
   Both panels offer full DNS zone management using BIND, including record creation for A, MX, TXT, and CNAME.
5. ✅ Database Management
   Support for MySQL/MariaDB database hosting and per-user database control with remote access configuration.
6. ✅ Let’s Encrypt Integration
   Automated SSL certificate issuance and renewal using Let’s Encrypt for secure HTTPS hosting.
7. ✅ User Management
   Offer role-based user access (admin, domain owner, etc.) to delegate control securely.
8. ✅ IPv4 and IPv6 Compatibility
   Fully support dual-stack networking for modern server environments.
9. ✅ FTP Management
   Provide FTP account setup and control using common FTP servers like Pure-FTPd or vsftpd.
10. ✅ Backup and Restore
    Both include tools for scheduling and managing backups of site data, databases, and configurations.

#2 key Differences between Virtualmin and ISPConfig

2.1 Primary Difference

Virtualmin is a domain-level web hosting control panel built on Webmin, ideal for managing individual websites, mail, and DNS—similar to how cPanel operates but with deeper system-level access.
ISPConfig is a standalone, multi-server hosting control panel designed for reseller environments, offering advanced role management, centralized control across servers, and built-in email security tools.

2.2 Foundation & Architecture

➤ Virtualmin is architected on top of Webmin, extending its system administration capabilities with domain-level hosting features like website, mail, and DNS management—all while leveraging the underlying UNIX/Linux control structure.
➤ ISPConfig is developed as a standalone control panel, purpose-built from the ground up to manage web hosting across single or clustered multi-server environments, with no dependency on external admin layers.

Virtualmin extends an existing admin framework (Webmin), while ISPConfig is purpose-designed for hosting from the start.

2.3 User Roles & Access Control

➤ Virtualmin offers structured roles such as root, reseller, and domain owner, allowing controlled access over web, mail, DNS, and databases per domain. It integrates with system-level users, aligning each role with corresponding UNIX permissions.
➤ ISPConfig provides more granular access layers, including admin, reseller, client, and email-only roles. This makes it ideal for shared hosting environments or service providers managing multiple customer tiers with precise access delegation.

Virtualmin aligns tightly with system permissions for flexibility, while ISPConfig excels in detailed, role-based access suited for multi-tenant setups.

2.4 Multi-Server Management

➤ Virtualmin offers basic clustering capabilities via Webmin’s remote host and RPC features, allowing limited centralized control over multiple servers—primarily for syncing users or executing scripts remotely. However, it’s not built for full multi-server orchestration out-of-the-box.
➤ ISPConfig is built with native multi-server support, enabling centralized management of web, mail, DNS, and database services across a fleet of connected servers—all from a single control panel interface. Each service can run on a different physical or virtual machine.

ISPConfig is architected for true multi-server hosting environments, while Virtualmin provides simpler, admin-level remote management via Webmin.

2.5 Installation & Setup

➤ Virtualmin offers a fully automated install script that sets up Apache or NGINX, Postfix, Dovecot, MySQL/MariaDB, BIND, and more in one go—perfect for rapid deployment on supported systems like Ubuntu and CentOS. It also handles initial configuration tasks, making it beginner-friendly for sysadmins.
➤ ISPConfig requires a manual or semi-automated installation, typically using step-by-step guides or community-maintained scripts. It involves configuring services like Apache/NGINX, Postfix, Dovecot, MySQL, and DNS separately before integrating them with the panel. 

Virtualmin simplifies setup with a one-line installer, while ISPConfig demands a more involved setup process better suited to experienced users.

2.6 User Interface

➤ Virtualmin uses a Webmin-style interface, which is highly functional and deeply integrated with system-level features. While powerful, its UI is more technical and may feel dated or overwhelming to less experienced users. It prioritizes control and flexibility over aesthetics.
➤ ISPConfig delivers a cleaner, more polished interface, with a structured layout that’s intuitive for admins, resellers, and clients alike. Its navigation is simplified, making common hosting tasks more accessible, especially in shared or reseller environments.

Virtualmin favors power and flexibility through a technical UI, whereas ISPConfig focuses on usability with a more modern and reseller-friendly experience.

2.7 Isolation

➤ Virtualmin enforces isolation by creating a dedicated UNIX system user for each virtual server. This ensures that websites, mailboxes, databases, and files are compartmentalized—limiting the risk of one domain affecting another. It uses native Linux permissions and directories to sandbox each domain.
➤ ISPConfig achieves isolation using chroot environments via Jailkit, especially for shell access, restricting users to a minimal, contained filesystem. Each client also operates within their own service space, preventing unauthorized access across accounts.

Virtualmin relies on native UNIX user separation for domain isolation, while ISPConfig enhances this with chroot-level restrictions, making shell environments more secure.

2.8 Security

➤ Virtualmin provides layered security by integrating 2-Factor Authentication (2FA), fail2ban for intrusion prevention, brute-force protection, and SSL/TLS management per domain. It also supports secure file permissions, hardened PHP configurations, and automatic updates through Webmin’s package manager.
➤ ISPConfig strengthens security with role-based access control, chroot jails for SSH users, and built-in support for ClamAV, SpamAssassin, and Amavis to guard email traffic. Admins can also manage firewall rules and system hardening through the panel or CLI.

Both panels offer strong security, but Virtualmin emphasizes system-wide protection and automation, while ISPConfig shines with mail security, role enforcement, and user isolation.

2.9 Licensing Model

➤ Virtualmin is offered in two editions: the GPL version, which is completely free and open-source under the GNU GPLv3, and the Professional version, which requires a paid license and includes advanced features, commercial-grade support, and a larger library of installable web apps.
➤ ISPConfig is entirely free and open-source, licensed under the GNU GPLv3, with no commercial edition. All features—multi-server management, email filtering, DNS tools—are available to every user without restriction.

Virtualmin combines open-source flexibility with a premium tier, while ISPConfig delivers its full feature set for free under a single open-source license.

2.10 Backup & Restore

➤ Virtualmin offers a built-in backup and restore system that allows scheduled or on-demand backups at the domain (virtual server) level, including web files, databases, mail, and DNS settings. It supports remote destinations (like FTP, S3) and can run automatic rotations with detailed control over what gets backed up.
➤ ISPConfig supports manual and script-based backups, with backups typically handled through the panel for websites and databases, but with less granular control per service. For advanced or automated backup strategies, users generally rely on external cron jobs or custom scripts.

Virtualmin provides a more complete and flexible built-in backup system, while ISPConfig requires more manual setup or scripting for detailed backup control.

2.11 Target User – Use Case

✅ Virtualmin is ideal for:

1. Small web hosting setups managing multiple domains with domain-level isolation.
2. Solo developers needing full control over websites, mail, and databases on a single VPS or dedicated server.
3. System administrators who prefer working close to the OS with command-line access and system integration.
4. Freelancers or agencies hosting client sites and wanting a cPanel-like experience without licensing costs.
5. Environments requiring fine-tuned control over backups, DNS, mail, and system services with minimal overhead.

✅ ISPConfig is ideal for:

1. Hosting providers or resellers managing large numbers of clients across shared or dedicated servers.
2. Businesses offering multi-tenant hosting with strict access roles (admin, reseller, client, email-only).
3. Teams managing distributed infrastructure with centralized multi-server control from one panel.
4. Secure email hosting environments needing tight spam/virus filtering (ClamAV, SpamAssassin).
5. Administrators who prioritize GUI-driven role management and structured client separation.