Is it Ubuntu time for cPanel? AlmaLinux vs Ubuntu in 2026
cPanel officially added Ubuntu 20.04 support in 2022 and Ubuntu 22.04 in 2023. For years, the question "can I run cPanel on Ubuntu?" had a clear answer: no. Now that the answer is technically yes, a different question matters more: should you?
The context is the ongoing fallout from Red Hat's 2023 decision to restrict access to RHEL source code, which directly affects CentOS derivatives like AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux. That change prompted many server administrators to reconsider their OS choices, with Ubuntu emerging as a popular alternative for cPanel deployments.
This article covers what changed, what the real differences are between running cPanel on Ubuntu vs AlmaLinux in 2026, and whether switching OS makes sense for your setup — or whether there's a better path entirely.
- AlmaLinux remains the recommended OS for cPanel in 2026. It has resolved the source code concerns and is stable, well-supported, and CloudLinux-compatible.
- Ubuntu works with cPanel but requires more configuration, has known compatibility gaps, and lacks CloudLinux support.
- If you're reconsidering your control panel rather than just your OS, RemarkablePanel is worth looking at: it's included free with every managed VPS and runs on its own hosted infrastructure.
What is cPanel?
cPanel is a web-based control panel for Linux hosting servers, widely used since the late 1990s. It provides a graphical interface for managing websites, email accounts, databases, DNS, and file systems without needing to work directly in the terminal. The WHM (WebHost Manager) layer sits above it for server-level administration and reseller account management.
cPanel runs exclusively on Linux and has historically been built around RHEL-based distributions: CentOS (now EOL), AlmaLinux, Rocky Linux, and CloudLinux. Ubuntu support was added later and remains less mature.
cPanel moved from a flat fee to a per-account pricing model in 2021. Pricing starts at around $15.99/month for up to 5 accounts, scaling to $45.99/month for unlimited accounts. For hosting providers managing large account counts, this significantly increases the cost of running cPanel compared to alternatives. Factor this into any OS or control panel decision.
The Red Hat source code situation: where things stand in 2026
In June 2023, Red Hat announced that RHEL source code would no longer be publicly available, only to paying subscribers. This directly affected AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux, which are community rebuilds of RHEL.
AlmaLinux's response was to pivot away from being a 1:1 RHEL binary clone and instead focus on Application Binary Interface (ABI) compatibility. In practice, this means software that runs on RHEL runs on AlmaLinux — but the two are no longer identical at the package level.
The concern at the time was whether AlmaLinux would fall behind on security patches. That concern has not materialized. AlmaLinux maintains active security updates, remains fully compatible with cPanel, and continues to support CloudLinux layering. For cPanel deployments in 2026, AlmaLinux is stable and fully viable.
Ubuntu and cPanel: what actually works and what doesn't
cPanel on Ubuntu is functional for core hosting tasks. Email, databases, web serving, and file management all work. But there are real gaps that matter for production hosting environments:
- Core cPanel features: email, databases, file manager, DNS
- Apache and LiteSpeed web servers
- PHP management via cPanel's MultiPHP
- SSL certificate management
- WHM reseller functionality
- Standard site migrations
- No CloudLinux support (requires RHEL-based OS)
- More complex initial configuration than AlmaLinux
- Smaller community support base for cPanel-specific issues
- Some cPanel plugins and addons are RHEL-only
- Package management differences cause occasional conflicts
- cPanel's own recommendation is still AlmaLinux
The CloudLinux issue is significant for shared hosting
CloudLinux is a hardened Linux distribution built on top of RHEL that adds per-account resource limits (LVE), CageFS filesystem isolation, and MySQL governor. It's the standard layer for shared hosting providers because it prevents one account's resource usage from affecting others on the same server. CloudLinux only runs on RHEL-based systems — AlmaLinux, Rocky Linux, CentOS. It does not run on Ubuntu. If you run shared hosting with multiple clients, the lack of CloudLinux on Ubuntu is a genuine operational disadvantage.
AlmaLinux vs Ubuntu for cPanel: head to head
| Factor | AlmaLinux | Ubuntu 22.04 |
|---|---|---|
| cPanel official support | Fully supported | Supported, newer |
| CloudLinux compatible | Yes | No |
| Security patch cadence | Active, reliable | Active, reliable |
| Community support for cPanel | Large, established | Growing, smaller |
| Initial configuration complexity | Lower | Higher |
| cPanel plugin compatibility | Full | Partial |
| Package management | RPM/YUM/DNF | APT/DPKG |
| Recommended by cPanel | Yes | Supported, not primary |
The practical verdict: if you're already on AlmaLinux with cPanel and considering migrating to Ubuntu, the migration introduces more risk than it solves. The original concern about AlmaLinux security patches has been addressed. Switching OS for an existing cPanel setup is a significant undertaking with no clear benefit in 2026.
If you're starting fresh on Ubuntu specifically because of the Red Hat concerns, that reasoning is now outdated. AlmaLinux is the lower-friction choice for cPanel and the only viable choice if you want CloudLinux.
How to install cPanel on Ubuntu
If you've evaluated the above and still want to run cPanel on Ubuntu 22.04, here's the installation process. This requires a fresh server installation with no other software installed.
After installation, you'll need a cPanel license before the trial period expires. Current pricing starts at $15.99/month for up to 5 accounts. If you're building a hosting business with many client accounts, calculate the license cost alongside server costs before committing to cPanel.
Is there a better alternative to cPanel altogether?
The cPanel debate — Ubuntu vs AlmaLinux — often overlooks a more fundamental question: does the server need cPanel at all? cPanel is a paid license on top of your server cost, with per-account pricing that scales with your business in the wrong direction. As you grow, the license cost grows too.
RemarkablePanel is included free with every RemarkableCloud managed VPS. It's built on the Enhance platform and runs on hosted infrastructure, separate from your server. That means the panel overhead (DNS management, backup coordination, panel processes) doesn't consume your server's CPU or RAM. The first user account is free; additional accounts are $0.15/month each regardless of count.
For hosting providers, web agencies, and resellers who've been running cPanel primarily because it's the default choice, RemarkablePanel is worth evaluating as a cost-effective alternative, particularly for new deployments.
RemarkablePanel supports cPanel-style, DirectAdmin-style, and Plesk-style themes. Clients familiar with cPanel see a familiar interface under your brand.
See what's included →Skip the OS debate entirely
RemarkableCloud manages the server, handles OS updates and security, and includes RemarkablePanel free on every plan. You pick the apps. We handle everything underneath. From $2 your first month.
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