CentOS and cPanel: Business Guide, Basics, Budget, and more

CentOS vs cPanel: what’s the actual difference?

CentOS is a Linux operating system—the foundation your server runs on. cPanel is a web-based control panel that runs on top of a supported Linux OS to manage domains, email, files, databases, and backups. Think: CentOS was the engine; cPanel is the dashboard.
 

Quick status update (2025): does cPanel still support CentOS?

No—new cPanel installs on CentOS 7 are blocked from version 112 onward. The final cPanel branch that ran on CentOS 7 was LTS 110; after CentOS 7’s end-of-life (30 June 2024), cPanel moved customers toward modern RHEL-style replacements (AlmaLinux, Rocky, CloudLinux) and Ubuntu 22.04 LTS. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
 

Which Linux is best for cPanel now?

• AlmaLinux 8/9 — community, RHEL-compatible; widely used for new cPanel servers.
• Rocky Linux 8/9 — community, RHEL-compatible; also common for cPanel.
• CloudLinux 8/9 — commercial, multi-tenant hardening and resource isolation.

• Ubuntu 22.04 LTS — supported; newer Ubuntu versions may be limited by release tier.
  
   

  

So what? If you’re starting fresh, pick AlmaLinux/Rocky/CloudLinux—or Ubuntu 22.04 LTS—per cPanel’s current support matrix.
 

What is CentOS called now?

CentOS Stream is the rolling, continuously delivered distro that sits just ahead of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). It’s great for contributing and testing in the RHEL ecosystem, but it’s not the long-term, slow-moving base most shared hosting prefers. 

Do people still use CentOS?

Yes—mainly for legacy servers. If you’re still on CentOS 7 with cPanel, you’re on a sunset track: the upgrade path is to migrate to AlmaLinux/Rocky/CloudLinux (or Ubuntu 22.04 LTS where supported). New installations should avoid CentOS for cPanel. 

What is “Linux hosting with cPanel” in practice?

It’s a Linux server (Alma/Rocky/CloudLinux/Ubuntu 22.04) with the cPanel dashboard on top, so you can manage websites, mailboxes, databases, and backups through a browser instead of the command line. Easy to use, widely documented, and battle-tested.

Best alternatives to cPanel

Plesk (feature-rich, WordPress Toolkit), DirectAdmin (lightweight), and Webmin/Virtualmin (flexible, admin-friendly) are popular options depending on your stack and comfort level.

How to install cPanel (supported OS)

If your server meets cPanel’s requirements (clean minimal install; sufficient RAM/disk), you can kick off an install with:

cd /home && curl -o latest -L https://securedownloads.cpanel.net/latest && sh latest

Run this only on a supported OS (AlmaLinux/Rocky/CloudLinux or Ubuntu 22.04 LTS) and follow the per-OS system-requirements guides. 

“What version of Ubuntu is cPanel?”

As of now, Ubuntu 22.04 LTS is supported for cPanel. Newer Ubuntu releases may be limited by cPanel’s tiering (e.g., Edge vs Stable), so check the current support table before deploying. 

What about “CentOS Web Panel” (CWP)?

CWP—now “Control Web Panel”—is a separate control panel product (not cPanel). Its docs list modest RAM requirements and compatibility with CentOS-style systems; check their site for the latest supported versions if you’re evaluating it. 

Pros & cons recap (for SMEs)

• CentOS (legacy): once rock-solid and free; now EOL (CentOS 7) or rolling (CentOS Stream) and not a modern base for cPanel.
• cPanel today: stable, widely supported docs/community; requires a supported OS listed above.
• SME takeaway: Avoid new CentOS+cPanel builds. Use AlmaLinux/Rocky/CloudLinux—or Ubuntu 22.04 LTS—if you want to stay in the cPanel ecosystem. 

Bottom line

CentOS and cPanel used to be the default pairing. In 2025, the sane path is simple: use cPanel on a currently supported OS (Alma/Rocky/CloudLinux or Ubuntu 22.04 LTS) or consider an alternative panel if you prefer a different workflow. That keeps your stack secure, supportable, and future-proof. 

Explore more: Managed WordPress Hosting • Web Security Suite • SSL Certificates • HTTPS Redirect
 

Next steps: Pick your control panel, choose a supported OS, and keep updates simple. Your future self will thank you.

FAQ

Is CentOS an operating system or a control panel?

CentOS is a Linux operating system. cPanel is a web-based control panel that runs on top of supported Linux distributions.

Does cPanel still support CentOS?

No—new installs/upgrades on CentOS 7 are blocked from cPanel v112 onward; the last supported branch for CentOS 7 was LTS 110. :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}

What OS does cPanel support today?

AlmaLinux 8/9, Rocky Linux 8/9, CloudLinux 8/9, and Ubuntu 22.04 LTS (check the live matrix for tiers). :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}

What replaced CentOS?

CentOS Stream (a rolling, midstream distro just ahead of RHEL); most hosting moved to AlmaLinux/Rocky Linux for long-term stability. :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}