Is CWP dead? Looking for alternatives

I have several production servers running CWP, but it feels completely abandoned. No relevant updates for years, security issues take forever to fix with zero communication, and the changelog is stagnant.

PHP is at 8.5 but we're stuck on 8.3. Roundcube, Nginx, Apache versions are all outdated and never updated.

What do you recommend? I'm seriously considering moving to cPanel despite the cost. I like CWP's features (PHP, Node.js, backups, mail server), but everything feels dated. Support is terrible, no blog or notifications about critical updates.

What alternatives exist? Is anyone else feeling this way? What other panels have similar tools but a more active community?

I'm really worried about this too. I'm currently looking for a different panel.

Here we go Again...

CWP is NOT 'dead'.

Last updated came out on 2025-12-29

The last Apache update from them was 2.4.65, and you can manually update to 2.4.66 easily.

You can also upgrade manually to PHP 8.4 and 8.5 using the info at AlphaGNU.

But ionCube doesn't work with PHP 8.5 as of yet, it's still in beta.
https://www.ioncube.com/loaders.php

But by all means move to cPanel...

It's up to you to do a cost/benefit analysis and make decisions as to what matters the most to you. I for one do not prefer server software that "moves fast and breaks things" -- hence the choice of an enterprise Linux distribution with at least a 5 year supported lifecycle. I prefer to stay well behind the bleeding edge and will stick with CWP as long as it remains a viable tool.

And anyway -- the control panel is for my clients, not for me. I can admin a server just fine in the CLI with Webmin or Cockpit waiting in the wings for fallback. So if they're not complaining, neither am I. And the checks keep rolling in (or PayPal payments, as is the case...)

Here we go Again...

CWP is NOT 'dead'.

Last updated came out on 2025-12-29

The last Apache update from them was 2.4.65, and you can manually update to 2.4.66 easily.

You can also upgrade manually to PHP 8.4 and 8.5 using the info at AlphaGNU.

But ionCube doesn't work with PHP 8.5 as of yet, it's still in beta.
https://www.ioncube.com/loaders.php

But by all means move to cPanel...

I've been working with CWP for years. We get some updates but zero communication and no roadmap. Critical security issues aren't communicated.

ionCube already supports PHP 8.4 in production, but CWP doesn't. The forum is frequently down or unresponsive. Many signs point to CWP not being in good shape. For example, "New Backup" has been in beta for at least 4 years.

It's hard to attract new paying customers with this approach.

@kandalf
Yes, CWP is in life support. Not dead, but as many other projects, is in the end of the road. There is just routine updates, not new features or really updates at all. No support to new software, nothing...
Updates are provided "as a number" - no communication on what have changed, no changelog, nothing.
Yes, there is "latest update one day ago"... and thats it. For what we know, nothing changed besides the "latest update date".
Proof: https://control-webpanel.com/changelog (last update in 2024)


If you have a project that needs a panel, look for alternatives - there are many other free and commercial panels.


And for the "CWP evangelists", don't even bother be toxic and reply to this/me.
Anyone that talk about this in the community is faced with a "you are a cPanel envagelist" or "move to cPanel". Dudes... WE ARE ASKING LEGIT QUESTIONS! If we are starting a project, we (Community) need to know if is a good starting point or not.
That toxic answers just lead users to another panels, and THAT IS NOT GOOD for CWP. You guys are destroying the panel and not even realize that!

I've been working with CWP for years. We get some updates but zero communication and no roadmap. Critical security issues aren't communicated.

ionCube already supports PHP 8.4 in production, but CWP doesn't. The forum is frequently down or unresponsive. Many signs point to CWP not being in good shape. For example, "New Backup" has been in beta for at least 4 years.

It's hard to attract new paying customers with this approach.

Many panels don't publish about their 'Critical security' issues.

I haven't seen cPanel do it (Not that I pay much attention to them), but neither does CyberPanel (Even though reports of the flaws get posted all over, CyberPanel doesn't respond), ApisCP, and many others I have tried & used.

The main problem with PHP 8.4, if you use it, it PHP dropped some libraries from being built-in, and the 3rd part PECL picked them up.
Which is a royal pain in the butt now. These included IMAP and Mailparse, which are commonly used.

I'm hoping CWP is working on EL10, but they seem stuck on still supporting Past EOL OS's like CentOS 7.
As long as they do this, CWP is going to be stuck, as EL9 and even EL10 operate differently from CentOS 7 / EL8.
Even EL10 operate differently than EL9 with different security.

@kandalf
Yes, CWP is in life support. Not dead, but as many other projects, is in the end of the road. There is just routine updates, not new features or really updates at all. No support to new software, nothing...
Updates are provided "as a number" - no communication on what have changed, no changelog, nothing.
Yes, there is "latest update one day ago"... and thats it. For what we know, nothing changed besides the "latest update date".
Proof: https://control-webpanel.com/changelog (last update in 2024)


If you have a project that needs a panel, look for alternatives - there are many other free and commercial panels.


And for the "CWP evangelists", don't even bother be toxic and reply to this/me.
Anyone that talk about this in the community is faced with a "you are a cPanel envagelist" or "move to cPanel". Dudes... WE ARE ASKING LEGIT QUESTIONS! If we are starting a project, we (Community) need to know if is a good starting point or not.
That toxic answers just lead users to another panels, and THAT IS NOT GOOD for CWP. You guys are destroying the panel and not even realize that!

Stop posting hate, and you won't get 'toxic' answers...

CWP 0.9.8.1220 came out on 2025-12-29 with minor bug fixes and updates to the latest PHP 8.1, 8.2, and 8.3 versions.

Fine, then PLEASE STOP using CWP and go use another panel...

BYE FELICIA...

Many panels don't publish about their 'Critical security' issues.

I haven't seen cPanel do it (Not that I pay much attention to them), but neither does CyberPanel (Even though reports of the flaws get posted all over, CyberPanel doesn't respond), ApisCP, and many others I have tried & used.

That is NOT TRUE.

Cpanel changelog with security updates also disclosed:
https://docs.cpanel.net/release-notes/release-notes/

Cyberpanel changelog with security updates also disclosed:
https://cyberpanel.net/KnowledgeBase/home/change-logs/

ApisCP Changelog - and you can see all the source code of what really change
https://gitlab.com/apisnetworks/apnscp/-/tags

I'm hoping CWP is working on EL10, but they seem stuck on still supporting Past EOL OS's like CentOS 7.
As long as they do this, CWP is going to be stuck, as EL9 and even EL10 operate differently from CentOS 7 / EL8.
Even EL10 operate differently than EL9 with different security.

There is NO POINT in support dead OS's, and CWP is not "supporting them". Is just providing a panel to manage the services better, not "supporting" the old EOL system. They are EOL, and for many updates that you provide to the panel, there is NO WAY that will improve security or provide better experience. And That is the point that many CWP evangelists don't see - CWP is a panel, not a OS.
CWP only provides simple management of the server, not a complete system.

Stop posting hate, and you won't get 'toxic' answers...

CWP 0.9.8.1220 came out on 2025-12-29 with minor bug fixes and updates to the latest PHP 8.1, 8.2, and 8.3 versions.

Fine, then PLEASE STOP using CWP and go use another panel...

BYE FELICIA...

"CWP 0.9.8.1220 came out on 2025-12-29 with minor bug fixes and updates to the latest PHP 8.1, 8.2, and 8.3 versions."
Kindle provide the source where you get that information of what change.

"Fine, then PLEASE STOP using CWP and go use another panel..."
Or just don't use a panel. You don't need one.
But in how that answer the questions made or help CWP? If CWP don't have users - or is just one or two - it will die even faster.
Your only answer being this is damaging the project, not the community making questions and observations - being them valid or not in your point of view.

I don't understand why Starburst is being so rude about it.

If we're talking about the elephant in the room, it's because we like CWP, we use CWP, and we care about its future. But in recent years it's really struggling: no new features, a barely working forum, an outdated website, no tips or news about server management. The best tutorials are the ones from Starburst.

I'm actively looking for alternatives. I like CWP because it has many features, I have a good incremental backup system on my servers, the pro version is cheap, and I have custom webserver templates for Laravel and other stacks.

But I'm also testing other panels on a test server because I'm afraid CWP will let me down in the near future. I know there are others in my situation. What are the best alternatives to CWP?

Starburst have great tutorials here, and is doing a great work to an extent.
But when a software starts to get "mods/hacks" from someone just to use updated features or something - not official - then something is wrong. Starburst - and some other users here - are in denial about the future and only answer is being toxic to any critic or negative feedback made against CWP...

Check any topic where is any negative feedback against CWP: i bet that every one of them will be toxic. Os just look to the first reply in this topic: "go to another panel"... And if you confront them, then you are the "bad guy".

Just the fact that the support forum is constantly down for hours - an issue with MONTHS - proves somethings.. But CWP envagelists will say that "is normal", or "go to other panel".

You are asking a legit question and your post is not toxic at all: what are the alternatives to CWP.
There are many. In the free side, you have HestiaCP, VestaCP, cloudpanel, cyberpanel, aapanel or froxlor. Are some examples. The "best" will vary from user to user and from your needs.

If you just need some WordPress sites, cloudpanel is the best in my opinion. For something else, maybe HestiaCP.

Or you can continue to use CWP, if there is some features that really are needed and if you can bare with the lack of updates.

CWP isn't without flaws, but compared to other panels, CWP can be updated/customized better than others on the market I've tested.
That is what's nice about CWP, you can update certain components without breaking the control panel, just like you can with Webmin/Virtualmin.

Just look at my PHP thread on updates.

I agree, the forums being down for hours and sometime days is very annoying.
CWP claims it's due to Layer 7 DDoS attacks.

But since you hate CWP so much, and like Ubuntu/Debian you can use your CloudPanel, and leave CWP...
Or use HestiaCP.
If you switch to either I would recommend using Debian for production use.
As using Ubuntu would be like using Fedora.

Neither uses ELx, and doesn't have some of the features of CWP.

It's as simple as that...

Not sure about anyone else, but I've offered to help, but have been turned down.

I agree, the forums being down for hours and sometime days is very annoying.
CWP claims it's due to Layer 7 DDoS attacks.

Where is the source of this information?
There is multiple affirmations like this made from you, but no source to confirm this.

And i doubt that is that answer, since the issue is clearly because of misconfigured server where the forum is - many times there is Nginx errors. And just look in how outdated and with MANY errors this installation of SMF have - you cannot even enter a user profile.

CWP isn't without flaws, but compared to other panels, CWP can be updated/customized better than others on the market I've tested.
That is what's nice about CWP, you can update certain components without breaking the control panel, just like you can with Webmin/Virtualmin.

Can you provide any example of what are you talking?
"customized" like what?

Not sure about anyone else, but I've offered to help, but have been turned down.

Your "help" was "But by all means move to cPanel...". I am quoting YOU.
Of course your help is turned down - not because you are the victim, but because you didn't provide any help really.

I agree, the forums being down for hours and sometime days is very annoying.
CWP claims it's due to Layer 7 DDoS attacks.

Where is the source of this information?
There is multiple affirmations like this made from you, but no source to confirm this.

And i doubt that is that answer, since the issue is clearly because of misconfigured server where the forum is - many times there is Nginx errors. And just look in how outdated and with MANY errors this installation of SMF have - you cannot even enter a user profile.

CWP isn't without flaws, but compared to other panels, CWP can be updated/customized better than others on the market I've tested.
That is what's nice about CWP, you can update certain components without breaking the control panel, just like you can with Webmin/Virtualmin.

Can you provide any example of what are you talking?
"customized" like what?

Not sure about anyone else, but I've offered to help, but have been turned down.

Your "help" was "But by all means move to cPanel...". I am quoting YOU.
Of course your help is turned down - not because you are the victim, but because you didn't provide any help really.

1. The source of that information is directly from CWP via a support ticket I submitted.
You can doubt whatever you want, but that is the answer I received form them.

Only real problem with the forums is an expired SSL.

2. There are many aspects from HTTP, PHP, ModSecurity, etc., but since you don't know, that shows you probably don't use CWP.

3. Yup. You are just a BS poster, @overseer and myself provide a majority of help here.
And I was talking about offering help to CWP also.

All you seem to be doing is posting hate without knowing how CWP really works via GUI and CLI.