Server Management with KeyHelp: Powerful Control Panel for Linux Server

Author: HOSTTEST Editorial   | 11 May 2023

keyhelp controlpanel server managementWhen it comes to server management, having an efficient and user-friendly management interface is crucial to facilitate the administration of web servers and related services. KeyHelp, a free and powerful Control Panel, offers exactly these features and has established itself as one of the best solutions on the market in recent years. Developed and supported by the German company Keyweb AG, KeyHelp combines an intuitive user interface with a wide range of features that enable both beginners and experienced administrators to effectively and securely handle their tasks.

The following article provides an overview of the features of KeyHelp and how they help to streamline the administration process for web servers.

What does KeyHelp offer?

KeyHelp is a free, powerful, and user-friendly Server Control Panel specifically designed for the management of Linux Servers (Ubuntu LTS or Debian). With a variety of features and tools, it enables businesses and private website owners to efficiently and securely manage their web hosting services.

Key features of KeyHelp include:

  • Domain Management: KeyHelp allows you to manage an unlimited number of domains. There are numerous options available, such as adding subdomains, security settings (SSL/TLS certificates, HSTS), Perl settings, and custom DNS settings. Additionally, you can assign PHP interpreters and configure web server settings.
  • Email Management: KeyHelp enables easy creation and management of email accounts. Virus and self-learning spam protection ensure the security of email accounts. Spam folders and trash are automatically cleaned, eliminating the need for manual emptying. Email auto-configuration simplifies the setup of email clients.
  • User Interface: KeyHelp's user-friendly, responsive interface offers optimal usability, whether accessed from a desktop or a mobile device.
  • Database Management: KeyHelp allows for database management and offers remote access if needed.
  • File Management: The integrated file manager allows for the management of web content directly through the browser. Features include a file editor with syntax highlighting, image viewer, audio player, archive unpacker, creation of new folders and files, downloading files and directories, and much more.
  • FTP User Management: You can create and manage as many users, individual accesses, and home directories as needed.
  • Scheduled Tasks/Cronjob Management: Cronjobs allow commands and scripts to be automatically executed at specified times.
  • Online Tools: Various online tools such as phpMyAdmin and Adminer facilitate the administration of databases. The webmail client software Roundcube and Rainloop enable easy email management through the browser.
  • Statistics: A clear statistics section provides traffic statistics for HTTP, FTP, IMAP, POP3, and SMTP, as well as an overview of domain accesses and error logs.
  • Multilingual Support: Thanks to the international KeyHelp community, the Server Control Panel is available in many languages, including English, Spanish, Russian, Italian, and more.

KeyHelp also offers comprehensive security and protection features to ensure the integrity of your web projects. These include account security through 2-factor authentication, login brute-force protection, and restriction of administrative access, as well as the ability to add SSH keys for additional security. In terms of data protection, IP addresses in web server logs and statistics can be anonymised in compliance with data protection regulations. The directory protection feature allows you to create individual accesses and protect your directories from unauthorised access. Additionally, KeyHelp supports the management of SSL/TLS certificates and the integration of free Let's Encrypt certificates to secure domains and server services and renew them autonomously. Finally, KeyHelp also enables backups to be performed.

keyhelp domain management

Image: Keyhelp Domain Management (Screenshot from keyhelp.de)

What is KeyHelp Pro?

KeyHelp Pro is an advanced version of the Server Control Panel KeyHelp, offering additional professional features for optimal server management. In addition to all the standard features of KeyHelp, KeyHelp Pro also includes extra features such as the one-click installer, SSH jail, dark mode, and more. The license for KeyHelp Pro costs €9 per month.

The enhanced server management tool is ideal for IT administrators, web hosting resellers, developers, and digital agencies. With KeyHelp Pro, they benefit from a user-friendly interface and useful features that simplify the administration of server services and the execution of relevant server and business processes.

Some of the Pro features include the SSH chroot environment, allowing users to establish an SSH connection to the server without compromising server security; the one-click application installer, which simplifies the installation of popular web applications such as WordPress, Joomla!, Nextcloud, and OpenCart; the dark mode, which switches the server management tool to an eye-friendly dark mode; and server migration, currently in the testing phase and can be unlocked upon request to perform data and configuration migrations, for example, from Plesk to KeyHelp.

Who is behind KeyHelp?

The Control Panel KeyHelp is developed by the Thuringian hosting provider Keyweb and made available to the public free of charge. With almost 25 years of experience as a data centre operator and hosting provider, Keyweb understands the need for reliable and high-quality server administration to fully utilise the potential of servers.

The idea for KeyHelp arose when customers were looking for an understandable and free alternative to common control panels like Plesk or cPanel. After an optimised relaunch in 2014, KeyHelp was initially exclusively available to Keyweb customers. Today, KeyHelp runs on thousands of servers and is accessible to everyone.

KeyHelp is continuously developed, with developers working closely with the community to make the software free, reliable and easy to understand. It can be used for an unlimited number of domains and is easy to use, even without instructions or training.

Since 2020, Keyweb has offered KeyHelp Pro at the request of KeyHelp users, providing additional professional features for more specific server management options.

Who is KeyHelp suitable for?

KeyHelp is suitable for a wide range of users who want to efficiently and easily manage their servers. IT administrators benefit from the user-friendly interface and comprehensive features that simplify the administration of server services on Linux. Web hosting resellers can optimise their customer management and maximise server performance with KeyHelp. Developers find KeyHelp a practical tool to manage their projects, saving time and resources in the process. Digital agencies can effectively manage their web projects with KeyHelp and offer their clients optimal hosting solutions.

Overall, KeyHelp is suitable for anyone looking for an understandable, free and reliable alternative to traditional administration software like Plesk or cPanel. It is accessible to beginners as well as experienced professionals, as it can be used for an unlimited number of domains and is easy to use without extensive training. Thanks to continuous development and close collaboration with the community, KeyHelp remains a powerful and user-friendly server management tool that adapts to the needs of its users.

Use our Web Hosting Control Panel Comparison to find out which admin tool is best suited to your individual needs.

Our article is based on our own experiences and research as well as information from external sources.

Sources & further links on the topic:

https://www.keyhelp.de/ (Official website of KeyHelp)

Image credit:

bsdrouin on Pixabay

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