If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed managing a VPS through the command line, you’re not alone. That’s exactly why tools like Hestia Control Panel (HestiaCP) exist. It’s a lightweight, open-source, and user-friendly alternative to cPanel that makes server management easy, clean, and powerful at the same time.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the exact steps I used to install HestiaCP on my VPS running Ubuntu 24.04. I’ll also show you how I set a custom hostname, changed the login port, created a personalized admin user, enabled multiple PHP versions (8.2 + 8.3), and forced the installation for a smoother setup.
By the end, you’ll have a fully functional hosting panel ready to manage websites, DNS, databases, email accounts, backups, and more.
Why HestiaCP?
HestiaCP is my go-to recommendation for startups, small businesses, and developers who want a clean and free alternative to cPanel or Plesk. Here’s why it stands out:
- It’s completely free and open-source
- Runs smoothly even on low-resource VPS
- Built with Nginx + Apache + PHP-FPM
- Supports multiple PHP versions
- Offers a clean and modern interface
- Extremely easy for beginners
- Ideal for WordPress hosting
If you’re managing WordPress sites (like most of my clients do), HestiaCP is one of the easiest control panels to use.
Prerequisites
Before you begin, make sure you have:
- A VPS running Ubuntu 24.04 (fresh install recommended)
- Root SSH access
- A domain name (I used
hcp.aheadashish.comas my hostname)
Once these are ready, let’s begin.
Step 1: Update Your VPS
Always update your server before installing anything new:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
This ensures that you’re working with the latest and most secure packages.
Step 2: Download the HestiaCP Installer
Download the official Hestia installation script:
wget https://hestiacp.com/install.sh
This script prepares your environment for a smooth setup.
Step 3: Run the Installer With Custom Options
Here’s the exact command I used on my Ubuntu 24.04 VPS:
bash hst-install.sh \
--port '5083' \
--hostname 'hcp.aheadashish.com' \
--username 'ashish' \
--email 'ashish@kartgen.in' \
--password 'SuperStrongPassword' \
--multiphp '8.2,8.3' \
--force
What these options mean
- –port ‘5083’ → Changes default login port (better security)
- –hostname ‘hcp.aheadashish.com’ → Dedicated hostname for control panel
- –username ‘ashish’ → Custom admin username
- –email ‘ashish@kartgen.in
- ‘ → Notification email
- –password ‘SuperStrongPassword’ → Set your secure password
- –multiphp ‘8.2,8.3’ → Install PHP 8.2 + 8.3
- –force → Skip prompts and run installation smoothly
The installation takes around 15–20 minutes. When it’s done, you’ll see your login details.
Step 4: Access Your HestiaCP Dashboard
Once installed, open your browser and go to:
https://hcp.aheadashish.com:5083
Log in using the username and password you set during installation.
You’ll now see the clean HestiaCP dashboard, where you can:
- Add domains and websites
- Manage DNS records
- Create MySQL/MariaDB databases
- Set up email accounts
- Manage backups
- Switch between PHP versions
- Install SSL certificates
- Monitor server performance
At this point, your VPS is now a complete hosting environment.
HestiaCP vs cPanel vs CyberPanel — Which Is Best for You?
Here’s a simple comparison to help you decide:
| Feature / Panel | 🟢 HestiaCP (Free) | 🔵 cPanel (Paid) | 🟣 CyberPanel (LiteSpeed) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free & open source | License fees | Free (Enterprise paid) |
| Ease of Use | Clean & beginner-friendly | Very polished | Decent UI |
| Resource Usage | Lightweight | Heavy | Moderate |
| Web Servers | Nginx, Apache, PHP-FPM | Apache (with Nginx reverse proxy) | LiteSpeed / OpenLiteSpeed |
| MultiPHP Support | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Integrations | Limited | Huge ecosystem | Good for WordPress |
| Best For | Startups, devs, WordPress hosting | Agencies & enterprises | WordPress + LiteSpeed lovers |
My Recommendation
- Choose HestiaCP → If you want free, lightweight, stable, and simple
- Choose cPanel → If you want maximum compatibility and don’t mind paying
- Choose CyberPanel → If you want the best WordPress performance with LiteSpeed
For most solo founders and small businesses, HestiaCP hits the sweet spot.
Final Thoughts
That’s it! You’ve successfully installed Hestia Control Panel on Ubuntu 24.04 with a fully customized setup. Compared to managing everything through SSH, HestiaCP provides a modern interface that saves you tons of time — especially if you’re hosting WordPress sites or managing client projects.
My personal setup included:
- 🔒 A custom port (5083)
- 🌍 A dedicated hostname (
hcp.aheadashish.com) - 👤 A custom admin username
- 🐘 MultiPHP support (8.2 + 8.3)
With this, you’re ready to host multiple websites with ease.
Need Help Setting This Up?
I assist founders, startups, and creators with secure and scalable WordPress + VPS setups using HestiaCP, CyberPanel, and other modern hosting tools.
➡️ Book a Free 20-Minute DevOps Consultation
I’ll help you choose the right control panel and configure your server securely.
📥 Download My Free WordPress Starter Guide
Includes recommended plugins, hosting workflows, and setup checklists.