What is Webmin?

Webmin is like a control tower for your Linux or Unix server — it gives you a clean, browser-based interface to manage system settings without touching the command line. Whether you want to add users, manage packages, configure services like SSH or firewalls, or control cron jobs, Webmin handles it all through modular tools. It's perfect for sysadmins who want GUI-based control over system internals.

1. Written in Perl, lightweight, and highly modular
2. Doesn’t rely on heavy frameworks — runs directly via miniserv.pl
3. Works on Debian, Ubuntu, AlmaLinux, Rocky, CentOS, and more
4. Lets you manage services like BIND DNS, Apache, Dovecot, Postfix, and MySQL
5. Completely open-source (BSD license) and actively maintained

What is Virtualmin?

Virtualmin is a web hosting control panel that extends Webmin’s core features to handle multi-domain, multi-user environments — think of it as a complete hosting stack manager for Apache/NGINX, mail servers, DNS, SSL, and databases.

It’s ideal for developers, hosting providers, or sysadmins who want to host multiple websites, email accounts, and databases on a single server — and manage it all via the browser.

1. Built as a Webmin module (i.e., runs inside Webmin)
2. Adds per-domain management: email, web, DB, DNS
3. Supports reseller accounts, client isolation, and multi-tenant hosting
4. Available in GPL (free) and Pro (paid) versions

How Are Webmin and Virtualmin Related?

They share the same foundation but serve different layers of server control.

1. Webmin is the base panel: it controls OS-level services, system configs.
2. Virtualmin is a module built on top of Webmin: it adds advanced features for web hosting environments.
3. You must install Webmin first to run Virtualmin.

#1 Key Differences between Virtualmin and Webmin

2.1 Core Function

Webmin is your go-to system control panel for managing Linux servers — from users, services, and firewalls to cron jobs — all in a unified web interface.
Virtualmin, on the other hand, transforms Webmin into a full hosting control panel, layering domain management, website deployment, mail services, and database integration right on top.

✔️Webmin handles the server; Virtualmin handles the hosting.

2.2 Primary Audience

Webmin is ideal for sysadmins or devs who want fine-grained control over their Linux system without hosting-centric features.
Virtualmin is tailored for hosting providers, resellers, or developers managing multiple websites, domains, and client access under one panel.

✔️Choose Webmin for server administration; choose Virtualmin for multi-tenant web hosting.

2.3 Hosting Features

Webmin - Not Design for Hosting
Virtualmin - Hosting Features Features Added by Virtualmin to Webmin

1. Virtual Server Management
   ➤ Create and manage isolated hosting environments (domains) for multiple users or clients.
2. Automated Apache/Nginx Configuration
   ➤ Automatically sets up web server configurations for each virtual domain.
3. Email Hosting (Postfix + Dovecot)
   ➤ Adds mailbox creation, spam filtering, forwarding, autoresponders, and webmail integration.
4. DNS Zone Management (BIND)
   ➤ Automatically configures DNS records (A, MX, SPF, DKIM, etc.) for each domain.
5. Database Integration (MySQL/PostgreSQL)
   ➤ Creates and assigns databases per virtual server, with optional phpMyAdmin access.
6. Reseller Support
   ➤ Allows creation of reseller accounts who can manage their own set of clients/domains.
7. Quota & Resource Limits
   ➤ Set disk, bandwidth, email, and database limits per domain or user.
8. Server Templates
   ➤ Define default settings (e.g., PHP version, mail options) applied automatically to new domains.
9. SSL Certificate Management
   ➤ Lets users install Let's Encrypt or custom SSL certificates for each domain.
10. Backup & Restore
    ➤ Domain-specific backup plans, scheduled or manual, with options for full or partial restores.
11. User-Level Access Control
    ➤ Provides domain owners and mailbox users with login access to manage their services.
12. Script Installers (Pro version)
    ➤ One-click deployment of apps like WordPress, Joomla, phpMyAdmin (in Virtualmin Pro).

2.4 Use Case and Target Audience

✅ Webmin is ideal for:

1. System Administrators who want to manage Linux/Unix servers via a web interface
2. Developers or IT teams managing a single server or services like users, packages, cron, and firewalls
3. Standalone server configurations without needing web hosting or domain-based setup
4. Lightweight server control without the complexity of hosting automation

✔️ Best fit: Admins managing the server itself, not websites or clients.

✅ Virtualmin is ideal for:

1. Web Hosting Providers offering multi-domain or shared hosting services
2. Resellers or freelancers managing multiple client websites, mailboxes, and databases
3. Teams needing multi-tenant support, with isolated environments for different users
4. Agencies and developers deploying and managing web apps across several domains

✔️ Best fit: Hosting control panel built for websites, users, and resellers.

Frequently Asked Questions