Quick answer: HestiaCP is a free, open-source panel that covers web, DNS and mail on Debian 12 or Ubuntu 22.04/24.04. Download the official hst-install.sh script, run it as root on a fresh server, confirm the prompts, and log in at https://your-server-ip:8083 with the credentials it prints.
Overview
HestiaCP (a community fork of VestaCP) gives you nginx + Apache or nginx + PHP-FPM, MariaDB, Exim/Dovecot mail, DNS, Let's Encrypt and scheduled backups — a complete small-hosting stack. It is a strong choice when you want websites and mailboxes on one affordable VPS without license fees.
Before you start
- A fresh Debian 12 or Ubuntu 22.04/24.04 server — HestiaCP does not support RHEL-family distros; reinstall if needed.
- 2 GB+ RAM recommended (mail + web + DB add up).
- Root SSH access; ideally a hostname (FQDN) set for the server.
Step-by-step guide
- Update the system:
apt update && apt -y upgrade - Download the installer:
wget https://raw.githubusercontent.com/hestiacp/hestiacp/release/install/hst-install.sh - Run it (defaults are sensible; use flags to skip components you do not need, e.g.
--clamav noon smaller servers):bash hst-install.sh - Confirm the prompts, enter your email and hostname, and wait ~10–15 minutes. Save the admin URL, login and password printed at the end.
- Log in at
https://your-server-ip:8083, add your first domain (guide) and issue SSL (guide).
Common issues
- Installer refuses to run: it detects existing Apache/nginx/MySQL — HestiaCP must go on a clean OS.
- Port 8083 unreachable: allow it in the firewall; Hestia also manages its own iptables rules once installed.
- Mail lands in spam: set the PTR record plus SPF, DKIM (Hestia generates it) and DMARC in DNS.
- Low RAM: disable ClamAV/SpamAssassin at install time on 1–2 GB servers.
When to contact support
For a clean OS reinstall, a PTR record for your mail IP, or connectivity issues to the panel port from outside, open a support ticket.
Frequently asked questions
Does HestiaCP work on AlmaLinux or Rocky?
No. HestiaCP supports only Debian and Ubuntu. On RHEL-family systems choose Control Web Panel, cPanel, CyberPanel or aaPanel instead, or reinstall the OS with Debian/Ubuntu.
Can HestiaCP host my email too?
Yes. HestiaCP ships Exim, Dovecot, webmail and DKIM generation, so one VPS can serve web and mail — just remember to set the PTR, SPF and DMARC records for deliverability.
How do I skip components I do not need?
Pass flags to the installer, for example "bash hst-install.sh --clamav no --spamassassin no" on smaller servers — you can review all flags in the script help before running it.
Related articles
- Which control panel should I choose?
- How to create email accounts in a control panel
- How to issue an SSL certificate
- How to create backups in a control panel
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