# OpenPanel: Free Open Source Alternative to cPanel, DirectAdmin, Plesk

Canonical: https://caniforkit.com/fork/openpanel-co
Last updated: 2026-11-07

OpenPanel (Open Source, Open Source) replaces cPanel, DirectAdmin, Plesk. A user-friendly, open-source control panel for effortless server administration, designed for both beginners and experts.

## Tool Specifications
- **Tool Name**: OpenPanel
- **Type**: Open Source Project
- **License**: Open Source
- **Official Website**: https://openpanel.com
- **GitHub Repository**: https://github.com/stefanpejcic/openpanel
- **GitHub Stars**: ★ 768
- **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/stefanpejcic/openpanel 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 OpenPanel 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 OpenPanel](https://caniforkit.com/vs/cpanel-vs-openpanel-co) |
| [DirectAdmin](https://caniforkit.com/directadmin) | [dev tools](https://caniforkit.com/category/dev-tools) | $25/mo | [Compare DirectAdmin vs OpenPanel](https://caniforkit.com/vs/directadmin-vs-openpanel-co) |
| [Plesk](https://caniforkit.com/plesk) | [dev tools](https://caniforkit.com/category/dev-tools) | $25/mo | [Compare Plesk vs OpenPanel](https://caniforkit.com/vs/plesk-vs-openpanel-co) |

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Is OpenPanel free and open source?
OpenPanel is an open source tool licensed under Open Source that runs on self-host. A user-friendly, open-source control panel for effortless server administration, designed for both beginners and experts.

### What is the trade-off or limitation of using OpenPanel?
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)