We are looking to move to a new server and are considering moving from cPanel to Plesk. But we are not quite sure which one is "better." We were wondering what people's opinions on the pros/cons of switching to Plesk are.

Thanks for helping us out.

Ahh, I remember asking this question

When I bought my first server here at SM (and my first server ever), I started with Plesk. I really liked the look and feel of Plesk. The OS seemed to have worked well with it as well. Once I switched to Plesk 7 Reloaded, I started having problems. The various components Plesk used was starting to become less stable. Mailman, Tomcat, and Dr. Web acted up when using the "Auto-Updater" and I never did get CGI working on there. suexec never worked (even the psa-suexec which is supposed to be copied over the original suexec).

After putting up with a few last weeks of this trouble, I really had to make the switch to cPanel. I have had cPanel running over a week now and do not regret it. It has been nothing but great to me. No errors, everything works, Fantastico and all that good stuff. I love cPanel now. Before I tried cPanel, I would have told you hands down that "cPanel sucks!", however now, I would strongly urge to stay with cPanel.

I got Plesk free on a recent VPS order... tried it for a day but ended up removing it to install cpanel. I prefer plesk unloaded to plesk reloaded

We started with cpanel and switched to plesk. Both are pretty good control panels so I think a lot of it is preference and what you need in a system. One of the reasons we switched is because Plesk runs on Linux as well as Windows whereas Cpanel is Linux only. Also, Plesk is one of the easier control panels to use and has some security built in that cpanel doesnt have such as a better directory structure which includes a better method of handling domains. Both come with a lot of the same features including a script installer whether it be application vault or fantastico, ability to have resellers, etc. Each also has something the other doesnt have such as Plesk's built-in sitebuilder. You may want to demo any you're not familiar with to get a feel for it.

does cpanel have command line backup/restore utils like plesk does?

when i migrated from ev1 to SM i just made sure both plesk servers were of the same version then ran the big fat "backup the whole damn server to one file" command, moved that file, and imported it into the new server with only very minor issues. It was a glorious experience and nearly a transparent migration for my customers.

btw... for blue|fusion:

there are three rules you must follow for cgi's with plesk.
1.) dont let up2date update apache, do it manually and then replace the suexec with psa-suexec (without losing the perms on it, use 'cp -p')
2.) the cgi script MUST be owned by the proper ftp user and group (just like it were uploaded by the client, NOT created via a root shell and therefor owned by root.
3.) file MUST be chmod 755.

otherwise you will get "premature end of script" errors and/or have errors in /var/log/httpd/suexec_log

I followed those three rules, but the psa-suexec that was installed with Plesk 7.1.0 was no good I guess and the CGIs never worked at all. I never updated Apache through up2date either (kept it in skip list).

It matters not now, anyway, I got cPanel and love it.

Well I Thought I should answer this.....

I Use PLESK 7 for Windows and Defintely I will never Install PLESK on my Linux.....I have Cpanel / WHM up right and Running.

after using for One Month on Windows I came to Conclusion:

1. PLESK is Definetely NOT Cpanel (either for Linux / Windows (or) whatever u take in to Consideration)
2. the Skins are Good, but it is a Bloody hell Job to work with it
3. When You Put ur Hands in IIS w/o Plesk, then U R History....You will never know what went wrong.
4. Backups are NOT Compatible with in, 7.00/7.01 NOT compatible with 7.02
5. Always some (or) the Other Bug Probs
6. It is NOT Compatible with FREE Ver. of Mailenable
7. it is a Rascal and Nuisance to ur Business, any day some (or) other thing may fail w/o telling u
8. PLESK Support REALLY SUCKS
9. Seems like Planets Tech aren't Good at Plesk
10. Bottom Line "PLESK is NOT ELIGIBLE TO BE SO CALLED CONTROL PANEL"

Anybody Defending Plesk in this Thread, I Regret.......All Grories to Cpanel.

Good Day

Wow...old post.

I had cPanel for over a month now. Never regretted switching.

Viva cPanel !
Just get my first box using Plesk/W2k3, very confused compare to cPanel/RHE...

Have you ever dealt with Plesk support team? They're extremely knowledgeable and efficient at answering support enquiries ... far far superior to my experience of CPanel support.

I'm not going to bother answering 10).

Plesk on WIndows is horrible because it's such a horrible hack, I'm not sure what's it's like on Linux.

I am also thinking that cPanel is better than Plesk. But I chose plesk because there is no cPanel on windows 2003.

I have used Plesk 7.0.1 nearly 2 weeks with no Problems until i tried to upgrade 7.0.3 because of its antivirus feature. Which is a big mistake because it is buggy than 7.0.1.

I've have a linux do not install it Plesk. Close your eyes and chose cPanel.But i you are using Windows2003 i do not know what to say because I only use Plesk not HELM or other Panel.

PS: Also ensim could be better than Plesk if it is not too buggy after 4.x.Ensim is killing itself.