# 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. Difficulty: Beginner **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](/guides/point-domain-to-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](/guides/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](/guides/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](/guides/email-deliverability). ## Next steps - Your server's basics: [Linux VPS: getting started](/guides/linux-vps). - Firewall rules: [ports and port forwarding](/guides/ports-and-port-forwarding). ## 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. --- Source: \ Updated: 2026-10-15