cPanel Hosting 2026: Hosts That Still Include cPanel
Introduction
For years, cPanel was the default control panel of web hosting: file manager, email accounts, databases, PHP settings and one-click installers in one familiar interface. Several large hosts have since replaced it with panels of their own, so “does this host use cPanel?” is no longer a given. If cPanel matters to you, because your team knows it or because you want to restore a cPanel backup as-is, you need a host that lists it explicitly.
This guide covers the options we found documented on the hosts’ official pages: shared cPanel plans, a dedicated server with cPanel and WHM, and installing cPanel yourself on a VPS. We have not benchmarked these hosts ourselves.
Comparison table
| Option | What you get (per the vendor) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Hosting.com cPanel Hosting | Full cPanel on NVMe hosting, Softaculous installer, email, free migration | Websites and small businesses that want cPanel without running a server |
| Bluehost dedicated servers | A physical server with cPanel and WHM ready from day one, plus root access | Agencies and busy sites that need a whole machine |
| Your own VPS + a cPanel license | cPanel installed on a server you manage, licensed by number of accounts | Sysadmins who want full control |
Hosting.com (formerly A2 Hosting): cPanel Hosting plans
A2 Hosting now operates as Hosting.com, and the brand sells two families of shared hosting. Its standard hosting plans use the hosting.com panel, not cPanel. Its separate cPanel Hosting plans give you what Hosting.com calls the full cPanel toolset: file manager, PHP version control, phpMyAdmin, email and one-click installs for WordPress and other apps through Softaculous. Hosting.com states that every cPanel plan includes the full cPanel, with no features held back.
Also according to Hosting.com:
- the plans run on NVMe storage, with a 99.9% uptime SLA and in-house support 24/7;
- domain email is included;
- migration is free, and moves from another cPanel host are done with a straight backup and restore, so sites, email and settings arrive as they were;
- a free domain is included for the first year, with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
When you order, make sure you pick a plan from the cPanel Hosting range rather than the standard hosting range, since only the former uses cPanel.
Pros
- Genuine cPanel, not a look-alike panel
- cPanel-to-cPanel migration by backup and restore
- No server to administer
Cons
- Two plan families under one brand: easy to order the one without cPanel
- Shared hosting resources, like any hosting plan
Bluehost: dedicated servers with cPanel and WHM
On its dedicated server range, Bluehost states that servers are provisioned within 24 to 48 hours “with cPanel and WHM ready from day one”, alongside 64-bit root SSH access on AlmaLinux 9. WHM (WebHost Manager) lets you create and manage several cPanel accounts on the same server, which is what agencies hosting client sites typically need. The advertised prices are introductory prices for a 36-month term, with higher renewal prices.
Bluehost’s self-managed VPS plans are different: Bluehost states that cPanel is not included with them and is available as a paid add-on.
Pros
- cPanel and WHM included on a whole physical server
- Root access if you also need the command line
Cons
- A dedicated server is far more than most single websites need
- The introductory price requires a three-year term
Installing cPanel on your own VPS
cPanel sells its own licenses, priced by the number of cPanel accounts on the server: from a single account up to the Premier tier with 100 accounts and additional accounts billed individually. cPanel lists these licenses as available on cloud and VPS servers. This route gives you full control, but you administer the server yourself and pay the license on top of the VPS. Our VPS hosting guide explains when a VPS makes sense.
Hosts that replaced cPanel with their own panel
If you see these hosts recommended for “cPanel hosting”, know that they no longer use it:
- Hostinger uses hPanel, a control panel it built in-house and installs by default on its web hosting. Our comparison Hostinger vs A2 Hosting goes further.
- SiteGround moved all its accounts from cPanel to Site Tools, its own panel; unlike cPanel, Site Tools manages one website at a time.
These panels cover everyday tasks (domains, email, databases, SSL), so they may suit you perfectly. They simply are not cPanel: you cannot restore a cPanel backup directly, and your team will need to learn a different interface.
How to choose
- You know cPanel and want a simple website host: a shared cPanel plan such as Hosting.com’s cPanel Hosting.
- You host many client sites and need separate accounts: WHM on a dedicated server (Bluehost) or on a VPS with a cPanel license.
- You do not care about cPanel itself, only about ease of use: a host with its own panel may be enough; compare support, performance and renewal prices.
FAQ
Is cPanel still worth it in 2026?
It remains widespread and familiar, and cPanel-to-cPanel migrations are straightforward. If nobody on your team depends on it, an in-house panel can do the same everyday jobs.
What is the difference between cPanel and WHM?
cPanel manages a single hosting account (files, email, databases). WHM is the server-level tool used to create and manage multiple cPanel accounts on the same server.
Can I move my cPanel backup to a new host?
Between two cPanel hosts, yes: Hosting.com, for example, migrates cPanel accounts by backup and restore. To a host with a different panel, the migration is done manually or with the host’s migration service.
Does Bluehost shared hosting include cPanel?
Bluehost’s dedicated server page states that cPanel and WHM are included; for its self-managed VPS plans, cPanel is a paid add-on. Check the plan page for any other Bluehost product before ordering.
Conclusion
To keep working in cPanel without running a server, choose a plan that names cPanel explicitly, such as Hosting.com’s cPanel Hosting range (and not its standard plans). If you need a whole server with WHM to manage several accounts, Bluehost’s dedicated servers include both. And if you want full control, a VPS with your own cPanel license remains the flexible route.