“There must be a simpler way to manage servers!” – thinks everyone who demands ASP.NET hosting. Well, you’ll be hyped to know hosting companies are now listening. Many have even just begun to offer a highly-rated Windows hosting control panel in their plans. The beauty of these panels is that they offer a web-based interface. This means you can use familiar settings of a user or admin’s web browser to manage multiple server services.
Let’s now take a look at two in the ASP.NET hosting environment: Plesk and WebsitePanel. And let’s compare to see which one works out best for you.
About Plesk and Plesk Onyx
Plesk is an industry-leading control panel for server and web hosting automation. Its creators designed it with ease-of-use in mind, as well as power. So whether you need to manage email, apps or sites, the intuitive interface lets you do it all in a jiffy.
The Plesk Onyx Panel is great for getting your website or email up and running. In minutes, you can choose from several hundred apps and install them with a single click. Maybe it’s because of this convenience that over 250,000 Windows servers have used it to date. And it’s even grown to become the number one solution for ASP.NET hosting service providers, web designers, and website owners.
Why Plesk Onyx?
- The easy-to-use GUI. So you can perform common tasks even with little to no experience;
- It reduces page-loading times and improves mobile responsiveness;
- Its automatic installer gets even the most complicated websites up and running in no time.
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About WebsitePanel
WebsitePanel began as DotNetPanel, which its creators made only for the Windows web technology platform as a Windows hosting panel. The initial DotNetPanel developers contributed a great deal to WebsitePanel. And now Microsoft has added to their legacy by investing in WebsitePanel’s future. Development efforts continue, with main focus on giving hosting providers and developers access to powerful Windows hosting products and services. And moreover, the ability to manage customer servers.
Naturally, the project has evolved over time. Developers and contributors to WebsitePanel may have stopped upgrading the original open-source aspect. But they have now veered off to take the code in new directions. Thus giving users access to optional extras for WebsitePanel that share its underlying technology.
MSPControl
This is an improved version of WebsitePanel. Even though the code isn’t open source, and you can’t modify or compile it yourself, you can still use it.
They conceived MSPControl for IT providers and Cloud Computing Companies. Hence offering them a comprehensive portal with a full suite of automatic services on Windows servers. Users can even get detailed control of Windows Server applications. So that means Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft RemoteApp, Microsoft Online Services, Microsoft Sharepoint, Hyper-V R2 Deployments, Microsoft IIS, and more.
SolidCP
SolidCP appeared in 2016. Its design is responsive and easy-to-use. And it’s a stable control panel for both Windows and Linux servers. Moreover, it benefits from being open-source and so costs nothing to use.
A number of hosting industry professionals manage it with over 10 years of experience. Its biggest advantage is that it lets you manage multiple servers from one simple interface.
Plesk vs. WebsitePanel
No doubt that both Plesk and WebsitePanel are Windows hosting panels that attracted their own legions of hard-core fans. Hosters and developers alike can argue for their chosen platform until the cows come home. However, this enthusiasm can muddy the newbie user’s choice between the two. So, with that in mind, we’ll just run through the key differences.
1. User Interface
A good UI can make or break any system, and generally, many consider Plesk’s to be better. It’s well-designed, clean, and attractive. Although WebsitePanel (MSPControl or SolidCP) also offers a user-friendly platform, it’s not quite up to the same standard.
2. Security
Plesk offers a higher level of security than any version of WebsitePanel. It has comprehensive authentication methods, anti-virus, and anti-spam solutions. Plus its support for web server security and network security services are a cut above what WebsitePanel has to offer.
Choosing Between Plesk and WebsitePanel?
Plesk and WebsitePanel (MSPControl and SolidCP versions) are both very sound and capable Windows hosting panels. They’ll help you manage every aspect of your hosting account when you use them correctly. You can find them both available under most ASP.NET hosting plans – at no extra cost. So you picked a VPS or dedicated server solution? Then your higher need for security and usability makes Plesk Onyx your logical choice.
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One comment
I would pick plesk over any WebsitePanel variance.