shouldiuse.io

VERDICT

Should I use Webmin?

Powerful and flexible web-based server management control panel - webmin.com

Depends. Buy it if you're a hands-on Linux admin who wants a free, comprehensive GUI and will keep it patched and locked down. Skip it if you want a modern UI, vendor support, or can't commit to hardening an internet-facing panel.

Confidence

Medium. Based on ~45 public sources across reviews, security databases, and official docs; many snippets truncated, quotes are partial.

Ratings

  • Value for money
  • Ease of use
  • Feature depth
  • Support quality
  • Security posture

Pricing

$0

Webmin (open source)

ModelNot disclosed
Monthly feesNot disclosed
HardwareNot disclosed
Free tierYes

Best for

  • Solo admins running a few Linux servers
  • Self-hosters avoiding cPanel/Plesk fees
  • Teams preferring GUI over raw SSH

Not for

  • Internet-exposed servers without hardening — CVE history makes that reckless
  • Anyone who can't edit configs when panel and OS disagree
  • Enterprises needing vendor SLAs or support contracts
  • UI-first buyers — get Cockpit instead

Gotchas - check before you buy

high

Default port 10000 is a known attack target — firewall or VPN it immediately.

high

Versions 1.890–1.920 allowed unauthenticated RCE; run the current release.

medium

Migrating in from Plesk or cPanel is a DIY project, no vendor service.

low

Webmin itself is free; you only pay if buying managed VPS hosting.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Free and open source — no license fees, unlike cPanel/Plesk
  • Much broader module coverage than modern rivals like Cockpit
  • Deep tutorial and documentation ecosystem for beginners
  • Even Red Hat's blog is broadly positive on it
  • Popular escape hatch from rising Plesk pricing

Cons

  • Past versions had unauthenticated remote code execution CVEs
  • Source code was backdoored in a 2019 supply-chain compromise
  • Dated interface versus modern panels
  • Sysadmin community is split; some advise against it outright

Sources & method

Analyzed 9/25/2026 - 10 sources - Actively maintained with a published security page, but a decade of RCE and auth-bypass CVEs means hardening is mandatory.

official x2review x5security x2news x1
  • CVE-2019-15107, Unauthenticated remote command execution in versions 1.890–1.920.
  • 2019 source-code backdoor, Supply-chain compromise planted a backdoor in the source code.
  • CVE-2020-35606, Remote code execution via package updates.
  • CVE-2025-61541, Authentication bypass vulnerability.
  • CVE-2026-56020, High-severity flaw in MiniServ prior to 2.641.

Key stats

  • Value for money: 5/5

    Rating

  • $0

    Starting price

  • 10

    Sources

  • Analyzed

  • Value for money: 5/5. Free open source; rivals charge yearly
  • Ease of use: 2/5. Dated, cluttered UI per comparisons
  • Feature depth: 5/5. Broader module coverage than rivals
  • Support quality: 2/5. Community forums only; paid help is third-party
  • Security posture: 2/5. Repeated RCE CVEs plus 2019 backdoor
  • $0 Starting price Free & open source, self-hosted
  • Yes Free tier Full product, no paid edition
  • $4/mo Cheapest Webmin VPS HostAdvice listing, Aug 2026
  • 5 Named CVEs 2019–2026, incl. RCE & auth bypass

Pricing

Webmin (open source)

$0

  • Full control panel, all modules
  • Self-hosted, community support

Security

Actively maintained with a published security page, but a decade of RCE and auth-bypass CVEs means hardening is mandatory.

  • CVE-2019-15107Unauthenticated remote command execution in versions 1.890–1.920.³
  • 2019 source-code backdoorSupply-chain compromise planted a backdoor in the source code.⁴
  • CVE-2020-35606Remote code execution via package updates.
  • CVE-2025-61541Authentication bypass vulnerability.
  • CVE-2026-56020High-severity flaw in MiniServ prior to 2.641.

What users say

Opinions split: praised as a free, broad-ranging server tool, criticized for dated UI and a shaky security history.

“Webmin is a great tool to use when”
Reddit, r/sysadmin
“Don't use webmin. If you think you”
Reddit, r/sysadmin
“Plesk is continuing to raise the”
Reddit, r/webhosting

Alternatives

Compare Webmin with each alternative.

  • Cockpit

    Free, modern panel; lighter and cleaner UI.

  • CloudPanel

    Streamlined modern panel focused on web hosting.

  • ISPConfig

    Free multi-server hosting panel with solid reputation.

    Webmin vs ISPConfig
Full analysis

Based on ~45 public sources across reviews, security databases, and official docs; many snippets truncated, quotes are partial.

Free, powerful Linux admin panel — dated UI, rough CVE history. Great if you'll harden it; Cockpit if you won't.

Methodology

Based on ~45 public sources across reviews, security databases, and official docs; many snippets truncated, quotes are partial.

Sources

  1. Webmin official sitewebmin.com
    official
  2. Webmin security pagewebmin.com
    security
  3. Webmin v1.920 Unauthenticated RCE — Acunetixacunetix.com
    security
  4. Webmin Source Code Backdoor (2019)learntprm.com
    news
  5. Do Systems Administrators still use Webmin? — r/sysadminreddit.com
    review
  6. Cockpit vs Webmin — SSDNodesssdnodes.com
    review
  7. cPanel vs. Webmin — Verpexverpex.com
    review
  8. 7 Best Webmin VPS Hosting Providers — HostAdvicehostadvice.com
    review
  9. Webmin: A web-based Linux management tool — Red Hatredhat.com
    official
  10. Webmin Alternative — CtrlOps comparisonctrlops.io
    review

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