cPanel and WHM addons

A guide to cPanel and WHM addons

Addons add app installers, backups, security and resource tools to the control panel.

4 chapters and a do/avoid checklist

What addons are

cPanel is the control panel for one hosting account; WHM (WebHost Manager) manages many accounts on a server. Addons are third-party tools that plug into either, adding features without manual server work.

Server-wide addons are installed by whoever runs the server, so on shared and reseller hosting your provider decides which are available.

Key points

cPanel manages one account
WHM manages many accounts
The server operator installs addons

App installers

An app installer, such as Softaculous, sets up WordPress, Joomla and other apps in a few clicks, and can handle updates. It saves creating databases and uploading files by hand.

Key points

Install WordPress in a few clicks
Database created for you
Updates from the panel

Backups and security

Backup addons, such as JetBackup, restore single files, databases, emails or a whole account from a list of dates. Security suites, such as Imunify360, scan for malware and block attacks, and firewalls such as CSF limit who can reach the server.

Key points

Restore files, databases or mail
Malware scanning
Firewall rules

Resource and reseller tools

CloudLinux limits each account's CPU and memory, so one busy site cannot slow the others. In WHM, resellers create cPanel accounts, set their limits and suspend or remove them. Reseller Hosting includes WHM reseller access.

Key points

Per-account resource limits
WHM account creation
Quotas and suspensions

Checklist

Using addons well: do and avoid.

Do

Check which tools your plan has
Look in cPanel or ask our support team.
Use the app installer for WordPress
It sets up the database and files correctly.
Test a restore
A backup you have never restored is a guess.
Keep installed apps updated
Old versions are the usual way in for attackers.

Avoid

Assuming every plan has every addon
Server-wide tools vary by host and plan.
Relying on one backup copy
Keep a copy away from the server too.
Leaving unused apps installed
Each one is another thing to patch.
Sharing your cPanel login
Create separate FTP or email accounts instead.

FAQ

cPanel addon questions

What is the difference between cPanel and WHM?

cPanel manages one hosting account: files, email, databases and domains. WHM manages the server or a group of accounts, and is what resellers use to create cPanel accounts.

Which Cloudoora plans include cPanel?

Every hosting plan: WordPress Hosting, Premium Shared Hosting (from €3.99/month), Turbo-Boosted Hosting and Reseller Hosting (from €4.99/month), which adds WHM reseller access.

Which addons does my plan include?

Check the tools in your cPanel, or ask our support team. Plan pages list the included features.

Can I install my own WHM plugins?

Not on shared or reseller hosting, where server-wide plugins need root access. On a VPS you control the server and its software.

Do I need an app installer for WordPress?

No, but it is the quickest way. WordPress Hosting comes with WordPress pre-installed and a one-click app installer.