Virtualmin vs. Webmin: What’s the Difference and Which Should You Choose?

If you’re managing a Linux server, you’ve likely come across Webmin and Virtualmin—two powerful open-source control panels. But what exactly is the difference between Virtualmin and Webmin, and which one should you use for your server?

In this guide, we’ll compare Webmin vs. Virtualmin, breaking down their features, use cases, and pros & cons to help you decide which one best suits your needs.

1. What is Webmin?

Webmin is a web-based system administration tool that allows users to manage Linux servers through a graphical user interface (GUI) instead of the command line.

🔹 Key Features of Webmin:

✔ Manage system users and permissions
✔ Configure firewalls, DNS, and networking
✔ Monitor system resources (CPU, RAM, storage, etc.)
✔ Automate cron jobs and system updates
✔ Secure your server with SSL, SSH, and fail2ban

📌 Best For: System administrators who need an all-in-one Linux server control panel.

2. What is Virtualmin?

Virtualmin is a web hosting control panel that extends Webmin, making it ideal for managing multiple websites, domains, and virtual hosts.

🔹 Key Features of Virtualmin:

✔ Create and manage virtual hosts for multiple domains
✔ Automate website backups and server maintenance
✔ Supports Apache, Nginx, MySQL, and PostgreSQL
✔ Built-in DNS, email, and FTP management
✔ Integration with Let’s Encrypt for SSL certificates

📌 Best For: Web hosting providers, developers, and businesses that need a cPanel alternative.

3. Key Differences Between Webmin and Virtualmin

📌 Summary:

• Use Webmin if you need a Linux server control panel without web hosting features.
• Use Virtualmin if you manage websites, domains, and hosting services.

4. Pros & Cons of Webmin and Virtualmin

🔹 Webmin Pros & Cons

✅ Pros:
✔ Lightweight and fast
✔ Free and open-source
✔ Works with multiple Linux distributions
✔ Customizable with modules

❌ Cons:
⛔ No built-in website management
⛔ Lacks email hosting features
⛔ Not ideal for shared hosting environments

🔹 Virtualmin Pros & Cons

✅ Pros:
✔ Supports multiple domains and websites
✔ Built-in DNS, email, and SSL support
✔ Alternative to cPanel and Plesk
✔ Free & Pro versions available

❌ Cons:
⛔ More complex to set up than cPanel
⛔ Requires Webmin as a base installation
⛔ Learning curve for beginners

📌 Tip: If you’re hosting multiple websites, Virtualmin is a better choice than Webmin.

5. Webmin vs. Virtualmin: Which One Should You Choose?

📌 Verdict:

• If you’re a system administrator, go with Webmin.
• If you’re managing websites & hosting, choose Virtualmin.

6. How to Install Webmin and Virtualmin

✅ Install Webmin on Debian/Ubuntu