🛠 Control Panel or Terminal: What to Choose for VPS Management?
You can manage your VPS in two main ways: using a graphical control panel or via the SSH terminal. Which one is better depends on your experience, goals, and preferences. In this article, we compare the pros and cons of both approaches and give advice for beginners and advanced users. 🎯
🖥 Control Panels (ISPmanager, cPanel)
A control panel is a visual interface that makes VPS management easy, even without Linux knowledge. Through your browser, you can:
- ✔ Manage domains, websites, and databases
- ✔ Create and manage email accounts
- ✔ View load statistics and logs
- ✔ Manage backups, certificates, and access
Popular panels include ISPmanager (popular among Russian-speaking users), cPanel (widely used in the English-speaking world), and Plesk (cross-platform). These panels are often available at the server order stage. Most are paid but save a lot of time. ⏱
💻 Terminal (SSH Access)
The terminal is a powerful tool that gives you full control over your server. SSH access allows you to:
- ⚙ Install and configure any software
- ⚙ Automate tasks via scripts and cron
- ⚙ Maintain full flexibility and control
- ⚙ Run your server without GUI resource usage
This method requires solid knowledge of Linux commands. It may seem difficult at first, but over time, it becomes a must-have for professionals. 🧑💻
📊 Comparison Table
| Criteria | Control Panel | Terminal (SSH) |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of use | Very high | Moderate |
| Flexibility | Moderate | High |
| Setup speed | Fast | Depends on experience |
| Linux knowledge | Not required | Required |
| Cost | From $1.5/month | Free |
🧭 What Should You Choose?
If you're a beginner — go with a panel: it's fast, intuitive, and minimizes mistakes. If you're a developer, DevOps, or just want full control — the terminal will be your best friend. Ideally, learn to use both. 💡
Need help choosing or setting up your VPS? Contact Bit.Hosting support — we’ll recommend the best option for your needs!