I've been searching high and low for decent graphical user interface (GUI) tools for server administration, and it's driving me up the wall. I've tried some popular options like Plesk, cPanel, Virtualmin, and Easypanel, but the best one I've found so far is CWP (CentOS Web Panel), which unfortunately doesn't support CentOS Stream x9 yet. I'd gladly pay enterprise-level prices for these tools, but finding one that meets my needs feels nearly impossible.
Sure, I could just set up an Ubuntu 22 LTS instance and manually tweak my nginx configs or deal with AWS deployment templates and their often incorrect documentation. But let's be honest: in 2025, shouldn't we have a more user-friendly way to manage backend configurations? I mean, none of us boot our desktops by typing assembly code, right?
I need a GUI that can handle tasks like hotswapping various backend versions (NPM, PHP, SQL), manage user accounts, handle SSL certs, and configure firewalls—all with just a few clicks! Why is it so complicated and frustrating to find an intuitive GUI for Linux server management these days?
4 Answers
Honestly, I load most of my apps from the command line! It's just how I work. I find it a lot quicker once you have your terminal set up right, but I get that it's not for everyone.
Have you checked out Laravel Forge? It's a great tool for web hosting, even if you're not using Laravel specifically. You can set up servers in minutes, get SSL with a single click, and manage PHP versions easily. It doesn't handle email hosting but might cover a lot of what you're looking for.
The need for GUIs has been minimized due to systems like Kubernetes that offer interfaces to manage deployments. Building a user-friendly tool would almost replicate the workflows we already have with these orchestration solutions, which is probably why developers aren't prioritizing traditional panels.
That makes sense, but I think a lot of us would still appreciate a simpler GUI for running smaller, less complex projects without all the added layers.
The rise of containerization and tools like Terraform and orchestration systems have shifted the focus in the professional realm. Now, a lot of us prefer managing configurations through code that can be version controlled, which makes them easily deployable across different setups. Traditional panel software has declined in popularity, leading to fewer updates and developments.
True, but it does make me question why we can't at least have a user-friendly option for those who just want to launch a server without diving into Kubernetes or any complex infrastructure.
I've definitely heard good things about Forge! I'm still looking for something that can handle my full server management seamlessly without resorting to command line madness.