What is the Difference Between Webmin, Usermin, and Virtualmin?

As a Linux Systems user, I often hear people asking about the differences between Webmin, Usermin, and Virtualmin. These are three powerful web-based interfaces/ control panels that can help you manage various parts of your Linux server more efficiently. In this post, I'll go over each one and explain the differences between them.

What is Webmin?

Webmin is a general-purpose control panel/ web-based system configuration tool for Linux and Unix systems. It allows you to manage system settings, user accounts, file systems, cron jobs, and more, all through a graphical user interface (GUI) accessible via a web browser. Webmin is particularly useful for system administrators who prefer to use a GUI instead of command-line tools. Webmin has a modular design that lets you install additional modules for specific services such as Apache, MySQL, Postfix, etc.

What is Usermin?

Usermin is a web-based interface for managing individual end-user accounts on a Linux or Unix system. With Usermin, users can manage their own email accounts, change their passwords, manage their files, and perform other user-related tasks through a web browser. Usermin is particularly useful for hosting companies or organizations that provide email services to their users. Usermin has a similar look and feel to Webmin, but with fewer options and less complexity.

What is Virtualmin?

Virtualmin is a web-based control panel for managing multiple virtual hosts on a Linux or Unix system. It allows you to create and manage virtual hosts, set up email accounts, install web applications, and more, all through a user-friendly web interface. Virtualmin is particularly useful for web hosting companies or individuals who manage multiple websites. Virtualmin uses Webmin as its base and adds modules for web hosting features such as DNS, SSL, FTP, etc. Virtualmin is suitable for web hosting providers or developers who want to host multiple websites on a single server and offer their clients a web-based control panel for managing their sites.

Differences between Webmin, Usermin, and Virtualmin

• Webmin is a general-purpose system administration tool, while Usermin is focused on individual user account management. Virtualmin, on the other hand, is designed specifically for managing multiple virtual hosts.
• Webmin and Usermin are often used together, with Webmin providing the overall system administration interface and Usermin providing individual users with the ability to manage their accounts.
• Virtualmin can also be used in conjunction with Webmin and Usermin, allowing you to manage virtual hosts in addition to the overall system and individual user accounts.
• Another key difference between these tools is that Webmin and Usermin are open source and free to use, while Virtualmin is a commercial product with both free and paid versions.

Conclusion

In summary, Webmin, Usermin, and Virtualmin are three powerful web-based tools that can help you manage your Linux or Unix system more efficiently. Webmin is a general-purpose system administration tool, Usermin is focused on individual user account management, and Virtualmin is designed specifically for managing multiple virtual hosts. Each tool has its own unique features and benefits, and the choice of which to use will depend on your specific needs and requirements.