If you’ve bought a server recently or browsed hosting plans (whether shared hosting or VPS/VDS), you’ve probably noticed that more providers now offer ispmanager web hosting control panel alongside cPanel and Plesk.
Ultahost is one of them. Why? This article is here to explain it: What ispmanager is, what it can do, and how it compares to cPanel and Plesk.
What Is ispmanager?
ispmanager is a panel for managing websites, servers, mail, and hosting
If you’ve ever used cPanel or Plesk, the idea behind ispmanager will feel familiar. It’s a Linux server control panel for managing websites, mail, servers, and hosting environments from a single dashboard.
So, what exactly can you do with ispmanager?
Website Management
At its core, ispmanager is built for easy website management and hosting automation, whether it’s one project or many. From the panel, you can:
- Deploy multiple websites on a single VPS;
- Install WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, or other CMSs in a few clicks;
- Use the built-in file manager and code editor to tweak files directly;
- Set up domains, configure databases, and manage server software like Apache, Nginx, PHP, and MySQL without digging into the command line.
As you can imagine, without a panel like ispmanager handling those tasks would be a headache. For example, setting up a CMS would involve downloading packages manually, editing config files over SSH, setting up the database via command line, and troubleshooting every step. ispmanager takes all of that and makes it visual, structured, and predictable.
Mail Server Management
If your business runs on email with your own domain (like [email protected]), ispmanager helps you run that too:
- Create mailboxes tied to your domain;
- Manage webmail, set up auto-replies and filters;
- Handle anti-spam settings to keep delivery solid and your domain reputation safe.
Otherwise, you’d be manually editing mail server configs or relying on external mail providers, which can be risky.
SSL management
SSL certificates are what turn a website from http:// to https://. They encrypt traffic and show users that your site is safe to use.
ispmanager handles SSL in two main ways:
- It automatically installs and renews free Let’s Encrypt certificates;
- It also supports commercial SSL certificates from most popular providers.
Everything happens in one interface, no need to copy CSR files or upload certs via FTP.
Who uses ispmanager?
It’s not built for one single type of user. Different people use ispmanager in different ways:
- Web developers deploy projects using PHP, Python, or Node.js, and fine-tune environments on the fly
- Website owners and managers install CMSs, manage mail, and use tools like Site.pro for building sites visually.
- Sysadmins configure permissions, firewalls, system updates, and install packages using server administration tools that the panel provides.
All of this is part of ispmanager 6 — the latest generation of the website and server setup panel, designed to cover both basic and advanced hosting needs.
5 Reasons More Hosting Providers Are Offering ispmanager
At this point, you might be thinking: “Okay, I get what a hosting panel does — but why ispmanager? ” Fair question. More providers (Ultahost included) offer ispmanager because of the practical benefits the panel gives their users.
Let’s break those down.
When you log into a hosting panel, chances are you’re there to get something done. Maybe you need to set up a new site, create a mailbox, install WordPress, or check a domain setting.
The last thing you want is to get lost in a maze of sections, tabs, and hidden menus.
ispmanager has a simple, clean interface
ispmanager’s interface is built to be simple — not flashy, not bloated — just usable. Even if it’s your first time using a hosting panel, you’ll likely find your way around without much guesswork.
All the core tasks are listed right on the navigation panel, and when you start working, each opens in a new tab within the panel (kind of like browser tabs). So if you’re editing a domain, creating a mailbox, and uploading files at the same time, you don’t need to jump back and forth. Just switch tabs and continue.
All in all, ispmanager’s interface isn’t trying to win design awards, but it’s fast and tidy.
Reason #2: 3x cheaper than big names (even plans with unlimited sites)
Ultahost’s VPS plans that can be bundled with ispmanager
This one is simple: ispmanager costs a lot less than the big-name panels. If you’re looking at VPS plans on Ultahost bundled with ispmanager, you’ll notice the price advantage right away. Just to give you an idea:
- Even the highest-tier bundle with ispmanager is cheaper than the lowest-tier one with cPanel.
- An ispmanager license for unlimited websites is about three times cheaper than the equivalent Plesk license.
Now, that might raise a fair question: “Okay, but what’s missing?”
You’d naturally expect some sort of catch, like a stripped-down feature set. But the truth is, ispmanager does cover what most projects need to run smoothly: Deploy a site, manage mail, handle domains, install SSL, and set up databases.
Sure, its roadmap may not be as packed with enterprise-level bells and whistles as the industry giants. But for most use cases, especially small to mid-sized projects, you’re not losing out.
And actually, there are a few features that are surprisingly advanced for a panel in this price range but more on that in a second.
Reason #3: More features than you’d expect
Like most commercial control panels, ispmanager listens to its users. There’s a public feature request forum where users vote for improvements, and those improvements actually make it into the product.
- LiteSpeed support, now built-in — a major plus if you care about performance (check our guide to see how it outperforms Apache);
- Migration tools from Plesk and cPanel (make it easier to switch without downtime or hassle).
A few real examples:
ispmanager lets you install WordPress automatically when creating a website
And while ispmanager’s full WordPress toolkit is still in the works (yep, it’s on the roadmap), the panel already takes care of a lot behind the scenes. Say you’re launching a new WordPress site (by the way, we’ve got a super detailed beginner guide for that). Instead of manually setting up PHP, permissions, and configuration files, ispmanager lets you:
- Pick a theme;
- Enter your domain name;
- And that’s it — the rest (like PHP version, config mode, and directory setup) is handled automatically.
ispmanager lets you create a WordPress site without manual configuration
You thus get online faster with fewer chances to break something.
Another feature that’s unusual for a panel in this price range: granular control over resource allocation per user. That means you can:
- Limit RAM and CPU per account;
- Set maximum mailbox or disk size;
- Cap the number of running processes;
- Control how many Apache handlers a site can use.
ispmanager user interface for account limits and resources
There are separate interfaces for users and resellers for managing account limits and resources.
Then, there’s also an improved user import system, which includes:
- Pre-checks to make sure your server is ready;
- Detailed logs that show exactly what was moved (and what wasn’t).
Of course, these are just a few examples of what the panel has to offer. All in all, it’s a full-featured solution with 15 languages available for free (plus new ones being added regularly).
Reason #4: Solid, all-round security — gets tighter with every release
BitNinja module in ispmanager
Another reason more hosting providers are now bundling ispmanager is that it’s a secure choice. That’s often a big advantage of commercial panels over free ones: they come with a solid security stack, and ispmanager is no exception.
It includes protection layers like:
- Fail2Ban — to block brute-force attacks;
- ModSecurity — a web application firewall (WAF) that filters malicious traffic;
- Cloudflare integration — for DNS-level protection;
- A built-in firewall to control access at the network level;
- KernelCare — for live kernel patching without reboots;
- BitNinja, Blackwall, and DDoS-GUARD — for protection against complex threats and DDoS attacks.
Besides, there are antivirus tools like ClamAV and ImunifyAV, and email protection:
- DKIM, SPF, and DMARC;
- DNS blackhole lists and custom black/white lists;
- Spam filters like SpamAssassin, Greylisting, etc.
In short, the panel comes with the tools to help you lock down your server and keep your websites safe without needing to piece everything together yourself. Just in case you need more insights into website security, we’ve brought together simple tricks and proven strategies here.
Reason #5: Light on resources & heavy on capability
And finally, ispmanager is just easy to run. It doesn’t ask much from your server. The minimum it needs is 1 GB of RAM and 20 GB of disk space, and along with being lightweight, it’s capable. One instance can handle over 2,000 hosting accounts. With a bit of optimization, it can go even further. This makes it fit for different project types, whether you are starting small or growing fast (or both).
ispmanager 6 Plans: lite, pro, and host
So, let’s say you’re picking a VPS or VDS plan that comes with ispmanager 6. What kind of license will you be working with?
There are three main options to choose from, depending on the scale of your project.
| ispmanager 6 lite | ispmanager 6 pro | ispmanager 6 host |
| a good fit for smaller projectssupports up to 10 websites*covers all the essentials | lets you manage up to 50 websitesunlocks extra features like CloudLinux resource usage statsand Docker management | the full package with unlimited websites and access to everything ispmanager offersincludes advanced tools like detailed server resource usage reports by userand advanced IP address managementand all the features from ispmanager lite and pro combined |
*One thing to keep in mind about the website limits: if you’re using auto-generated subdomains, those don’t count toward your site limit.
Basically, whatever the size of your setup, there’s a license that makes sense.
ispmanager versus Industry Leaders: cPanel vs ispmanager
So, now you’re seeing ispmanager offered alongside cPanel and Plesk. You notice the price difference, and the natural question is: “If ispmanager is cheaper, what am I missing out on?” Fair question. Let’s clear it up.
First off, no, ispmanager isn’t a one-to-one match for cPanel or Plesk. Rather, it is an affordable cPanel alternative that covers the real-world needs of most web hosting projects.
Big names like cPanel and Plesk have been around forever, and that shows in the size of their feature sets. Whatever function you can imagine, chances are they have it. And sure, that’s great, especially if you’re running complex infrastructure or serving enterprise clients.
But that level of “everything plus more” also comes at a premium. ispmanager, in turn, gives you the essential features (and even some advanced ones) to launch, run, and manage your projects without the bloat or the price tag.
Wrap Up
At the end of the day, it comes down to having more choices.
If your projects need a high-end, feature-heavy setup and you’re comfortable with the cost, sure, you might go with Plesk or cPanel as premium ispmanager alternatives. But if you’re looking for a panel that’s light, clean, capable, and cost-effective, ispmanager might be a nice fit.
All in all, it’s a nice choice for setups that don’t need the bloat, just get all the everyday jobs done fast and right.
