# 1Panel: Free Open Source Alternative to cPanel, DirectAdmin, Plesk

Canonical: https://caniforkit.com/fork/1panel
Last updated: 2026-11-07

1Panel (Open Source, Open Source) replaces cPanel, DirectAdmin, Plesk. Comprehensive web-based tool for Linux server administration with integrated website, database, container, and LLM management capabilities.

## Tool Specifications
- **Tool Name**: 1Panel
- **Type**: Open Source Project
- **License**: Open Source
- **Official Website**: https://1panel.pro
- **GitHub Repository**: https://github.com/1panel-dev/1panel
- **GitHub Stars**: ★ 37.4k
- **Runs On**: Self-host
- **Maintenance Status**: nov 2026
- **Platforms**: web, self-hosted, docker to self-host
- **Data Storage**: All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.
- **Installation**: Clone https://github.com/1panel-dev/1panel or deploy with Docker Compose
- **Setup Requirements**: Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
- **The Catch / Limitation**: Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed cPanel.

## Paid SaaS Applications Replaced (3)
Replacing these paid tools with 1Panel saves up to $75/mo ($900/yr) in software subscriptions:

| Replaced Software | Category | SaaS Price | Comparison Guide |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [cPanel](https://caniforkit.com/cpanel) | [dev tools](https://caniforkit.com/category/dev-tools) | $25/mo | [Compare cPanel vs 1Panel](https://caniforkit.com/vs/cpanel-vs-1panel) |
| [DirectAdmin](https://caniforkit.com/directadmin) | [dev tools](https://caniforkit.com/category/dev-tools) | $25/mo | [Compare DirectAdmin vs 1Panel](https://caniforkit.com/vs/directadmin-vs-1panel) |
| [Plesk](https://caniforkit.com/plesk) | [dev tools](https://caniforkit.com/category/dev-tools) | $25/mo | [Compare Plesk vs 1Panel](https://caniforkit.com/vs/plesk-vs-1panel) |

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Is 1Panel free and open source?
1Panel is an open source tool licensed under Open Source that runs on self-host. Comprehensive web-based tool for Linux server administration with integrated website, database, container, and LLM management capabilities.

### What is the trade-off or limitation of using 1Panel?
Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed cPanel.

## Related

- [Self-Hosted Open Source Directory](https://caniforkit.com/self-hosted)
- [All Paid SaaS Alternatives Index](https://caniforkit.com/alternatives)
- [Software Categories Directory](https://caniforkit.com/categories)
- [Homepage](https://caniforkit.com)