Hosting
ISPConfig
BSD-licensed Linux hosting control panel for single-server and multi-server environments.
What it is
ISPConfig is a free, BSD-licensed control panel for administering Linux web, mail, DNS, database, FTP, shell and cron services. One panel can manage a single server, multiple servers or mirrored configurations, with separate administrator, reseller, client and email-user access levels. The core software has no license fee, but servers, administration, monitoring, backups and incident response remain the operator's responsibility. Optional materials and extensions use separate commercial terms: the current billing module is €59 excluding VAT per master panel and includes 12 months of updates.
Key features
Multi-server control
Administers one or more Linux servers from a central browser-based panel.
Hosting service management
Controls Apache or nginx sites, Postfix and Dovecot mail, DNS, FTP, databases, shell users and cron jobs.
Role-based portals
Separates administrator, reseller, customer and email-user workflows.
Remote API
Supports automation through the project's documented remote API and example clients.
Strengths and trade-offs
What works well
- Open and inspectable: The core panel is distributed under the permissive BSD license.
- Multi-service administration: Web, mail, DNS, databases, users, quotas and monitoring are managed from one interface.
- Multi-server support: A single control plane can administer multiple servers and mirrored configurations.
- Role separation: Administrator, reseller, client and email-user levels support hosting-provider workflows.
Where it falls short
- Self-hosted responsibility: Installation, OS hardening, patching, capacity, backups and recovery belong to the operator.
- A panel is not isolation: Secure tenant boundaries still depend on the underlying Linux services and configuration.
- Commercial extras differ: Billing, manuals and professional installation or update support are not part of the free core license.
- Migration needs proof: Existing sites, mailboxes, DNS zones and databases require service-specific validation and rollback.
Who it is for
Linux administrators and hosting providers that want an open control panel and can own the entire server lifecycle.
Our verdict
ISPConfig is a capable free control panel for experienced Linux teams, particularly in multi-server hosting, but its zero license price should never be confused with zero operating cost; harden the underlying services and prove backup, update and migration procedures before production.
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What we checked
- Public APIOffers a documented API you can build against.Yes
- Mobile appHas a native app for iOS or Android, not just a mobile website.No
- Open source / self-hostableSource is open and the tool can be run on your own infrastructure.Yes
- SSO (SAML)Supports SAML single sign-on on at least one plan.No
“Not checked” means exactly that — we have not verified it, and we do not guess.
Evidence and freshness
Status: Official sources reviewedReviewed: 2026-08-24
- ISPConfig — Product overview ↗
Checked 2026-08-24 · Supports: BSD license, multi-server management, Apache and nginx, mail and DNS management, administrator reseller and client access, mirroring and cluster positioning, supported Linux families
- ISPConfig Documentation — About ↗
Checked 2026-08-24 · Supports: open-source Linux control panel, BSD license, service inventory, quotas and statistics, firewall and monitoring modules
- ISPConfig — Download ↗
Checked 2026-08-24 · Supports: current 3.3 release family, source availability, update command, recommended Debian and Ubuntu, separate add-ons
- ISPConfig — Billing module ↗
Checked 2026-08-24 · Supports: €59 excluding VAT price, single-master license scope, 12 months of updates, source-delivery restrictions, invoice and payment features, remote API examples
- ISPConfig — Support ↗
Checked 2026-08-24 · Supports: community forum, bug tracker, partner business support, quote-based installation and update help
Limit: Official ISPConfig product, documentation, download, add-on and support pages were reviewed; ToolCompare did not install or upgrade the panel, audit source code, configure servers or tenants, test the remote API, migrate websites/mail/DNS/databases, purchase an add-on, benchmark performance, validate isolation, induce failure or restore data. Supported distributions, versions, add-on prices and partner services can change.