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Host websites on your Linux server with HestiaCP

Use the free HestiaCP panel on your HyperDC Linux VPS, VDS or dedicated server: choose or install it, sign in, add a user and a website and turn on free SSL.

  • Beginner
  • 30 min read
  • Updated
On this page
  1. Before you start
  2. Step 1: Get HestiaCP on the server
  3. Step 2: Sign in to the panel
  4. Step 3: Create a user for your websites
  5. Step 4: Add your website
  6. Step 5: Turn on free SSL
  7. Troubleshooting
  8. Next steps

HestiaCP is a free control panel for web hosting on your own Linux server: websites, databases, DNS, mail and free certificates from one browser interface. This guide covers choosing or installing it on a HyperDC Linux VPS, VDS or dedicated server and putting your first website online.

Before you start

  • A Linux server with Debian 12 or 13 or Ubuntu 22.04, 24.04 or 26.04 LTS. HestiaCP's minimum is 1 CPU core, 1 GB RAM and 10 GB disk; it recommends 4 cores, 4 GB RAM and 40 GB.
  • A domain for your website, and access to its DNS; see point a domain to your server.

Step 1: Get HestiaCP on the server

Choose it when you order

In the order form of a Linux VPS or VDS, choose HestiaCP as the control panel option, or the ready-made Ubuntu image with HestiaCP. Use the sign-in details from your welcome email; if they are missing, open a ticket.

Install it yourself

HestiaCP must be installed on a fresh system, as root. Reinstall the server with a supported system first, then run:

Bash
wget https://raw.githubusercontent.com/hestiacp/hestiacp/release/install/hst-install.sh
bash hst-install.sh

Answer the installer's questions. At the end it shows how to sign in to the panel.

Step 2: Sign in to the panel

Open https://your-server-ip:8083 (or https://host.example.com:8083 once the server's host name points to it). Your browser may warn about the certificate until the panel has its own trusted certificate; check that the address is your server's before you continue.

Verify: you see the HestiaCP dashboard after signing in as the administrator.

Step 3: Create a user for your websites

  1. Open the Users tab and select Add User.
  2. Fill out the fields, such as the user name, email address and a strong password.
  3. Select Save.

Use the login as icon next to the user to work as that user.

Step 4: Add your website

  1. As the user, open Web and select Add Web Domain.
  2. Enter the domain, for example example.com. Select Create DNS zone only if this server will host the domain's DNS, and Enable mail for this domain if you want mailboxes here.
  3. Select Save.
  4. Point the domain's A record (and www) to the server's IP address, and wait until it resolves.

Verify: http://example.com shows a default page for the domain.

Step 5: Turn on free SSL

  1. Open the domain (click its name or the edit icon).
  2. Select Enable SSL for this domain, then Use Let's Encrypt to obtain SSL certificate.
  3. Select Enable automatic HTTPS redirection.
  4. Select Save.

Let's Encrypt checks the domain over the internet, so the domain must already point to the server.

Verify: https://example.com opens with a padlock.

Troubleshooting

The panel does not open on port 8083. A firewall in front of the server, or one you added, blocks the port; see ports and port forwarding. Check that you use https:// and the right IP address.

The installer refuses to continue on a used system. HestiaCP needs a fresh system. Back up your data, reinstall the server and run the installer first.

Let's Encrypt fails. The domain or www does not point to the server yet, or a CAA record blocks Let's Encrypt. Check with dig example.com +short and see fix SSL certificate errors.

Mail from the server does not arrive. Outbound port 25 is closed by default; see the FAQ above and email deliverability.

Next steps

Frequently asked questions

Does HestiaCP cost anything?

No. HestiaCP, CyberPanel and aaPanel are free panels you can choose in the order form. cPanel, cPanel with CloudLinux and Plesk are paid options there, with their price shown.

Can I install HestiaCP on a server that already runs websites?

No. HestiaCP must be installed on a fresh operating system. Back up your data and reinstall the server first.

Which systems does it support?

Debian 12 and 13 and Ubuntu 22.04, 24.04 and 26.04 LTS, according to the HestiaCP documentation. Non-LTS releases are not supported.

Can I send email from HestiaCP?

Yes, but outbound port 25 is closed by default on HyperDC VPS. For services bought for a term of 3 months or longer, we open it when you ask for it in a support ticket. Until then, send mail through a relay on port 587.

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