Learn how to install cPanel on CentOS, what requirements to check, why CentOS support matters and which hosting alternatives may be safer.
🖥️ Server setup • ⚡ Quick install • 🚀 Beginner friendly
If you searched for how to install cPanel on a CentOS server, you are probably trying to turn a fresh VPS or dedicated server into a hosting server with WHM, cPanel accounts, websites, email, databases and SSL.
The important part is this: older CentOS cPanel tutorials can now be risky because cPanel operating system support has changed. This guide keeps the original CentOS installation intent, but also explains what you must check before following older instructions.
Historically, yes — cPanel was widely installed on CentOS servers. Today, you must be careful because CentOS support has changed and new cPanel installations should be checked against cPanel’s current system requirements before you start.
If you are provisioning a new server now, a currently supported operating system such as AlmaLinux, CloudLinux, Rocky Linux or Ubuntu may be more appropriate depending on cPanel’s current requirements.
cPanel & WHM is not a small website script. It is a full hosting control panel that manages web services, mail services, DNS, databases, accounts, SSL and server configuration. That means the server needs to be prepared properly before installation.
The server should normally be clean, freshly provisioned and not already hosting websites. Installing cPanel onto a server that already has manually configured Apache, Nginx, mail, DNS or database services can cause conflicts.
Many older tutorials say “install cPanel on CentOS 7” because that used to be a common hosting setup. However, CentOS 7 reached the end of normal support and cPanel’s own support timelines now treat CentOS 7 as legacy rather than a normal new-install choice.
That does not mean every old CentOS server instantly stops working, but it does mean you should avoid starting a new hosting setup on an outdated operating system unless you fully understand the support and security implications.
| Scenario | Best action |
|---|---|
| You already run cPanel on CentOS | Check cPanel support timelines and plan a migration path before support becomes a problem. |
| You are building a new cPanel server | Use a currently supported operating system from the official cPanel requirements. |
| You only need website hosting | Consider managed hosting or DirectAdmin hosting instead of managing a full cPanel server. |
| You need root access and custom setup | Use a VPS/VDS with a supported OS and plan security, backups and monitoring carefully. |
Before installing cPanel, check the basics below. Skipping these can lead to failed installations, broken mail, DNS problems or a server that is hard to maintain.
The exact process depends on the operating system and current cPanel requirements, but the high-level installation flow is usually similar.
server.example.com, not just a domain name.cPanel’s installation documentation currently shows the installation command below. Always check the official documentation before running it, because requirements and supported operating systems can change.
cd /home && curl -o latest -L https://securedownloads.cpanel.net/latest && sh latestThis command downloads and runs the cPanel installer. It should be run as root on a suitable fresh server. Do not run it on a server that already contains important websites unless you know exactly what you are doing.
Website Hosts UK
If your goal is simply to host websites, email, SSL and databases, Website Hosts UK offers DirectAdmin hosting as a practical cPanel alternative without needing to install, license and secure your own cPanel server.
Installing cPanel is only the start. WHM needs to be configured properly before hosting real websites or customer accounts.
| Area | What to check |
|---|---|
| Nameservers | Set nameservers and glue records if the server will provide DNS. |
| Hostname SSL | Make sure the server hostname can use a valid SSL certificate. |
| Firewall | Secure SSH and open only required hosting/control panel ports. |
| Configure hostname, reverse DNS, SPF, DKIM and DMARC where suitable. | |
| Backups | Configure backups and ideally store them away from the server. |
| Packages | Create sensible hosting packages with disk, bandwidth and account limits. |
cPanel is powerful and familiar, but it also adds licensing costs and server management responsibility. DirectAdmin can be a good alternative if you want a control panel for websites, email, SSL, DNS and databases without the same cPanel licensing route.
| Option | Best for | What to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Install cPanel/WHM yourself | Server admins who need WHM/cPanel features | Requires licence, root access, security, backups and ongoing maintenance. |
| DirectAdmin hosting | Website owners who need hosting control without running their own panel server | Good for websites, email, databases, SSL and day-to-day hosting tasks. |
| Managed web hosting | Small businesses that do not want server administration | Easier if you only need to run a website and email. |
| VPS/VDS with supported OS | Developers and admins needing root access | More control, but more responsibility. |
For a new server, usually no. The safer path is to choose an operating system that cPanel currently supports for new installations. That keeps updates, security and future cPanel upgrades cleaner.
If your server provider only offers old CentOS images, it is worth choosing another OS template or provider before building the server. Rebuilding a server later is much more disruptive once websites and email accounts are live.
Control panel hosting for websites, email, SSL and databases.
A practical option if you want hosting without cPanel server management.
For users who need root access and custom server control.
For dedicated virtual resources and stronger server isolation.
If someone searches for how to install cPanel on CentOS, they need a practical answer — but they also need a warning. The installation process is not the hardest part; choosing a supported operating system, securing the server and maintaining it long term are the bigger responsibilities.
If you are learning server administration, a test VPS can be useful. If you are hosting real business websites, be cautious: use a supported OS, plan backups, secure the server properly and consider managed hosting or DirectAdmin hosting if you do not need full WHM/cPanel control.