The cost of control panel licences continues to climb, prompting many businesses to re-examine their hosting setup for the year ahead. This is especially noticeable for agencies, resellers, and those managing multiple accounts, where fees can quickly add up as portfolios grow. The search for a more affordable and dependable solution has led many to DirectAdmin.
DirectAdmin stands out as a fast and dependable control panel with a straightforward licensing structure, user-friendly interface, and solid ecosystem support. When combined with DreamIT Host’s local infrastructure and Melbourne-based support, it becomes a smart choice for lowering ongoing costs while maintaining high standards for speed and reliability.
Why cPanel Prices Keep Rising
Annual Price Changes Impact Hosting Budgets
cPanel has updated its pricing model several times in recent years. The most significant change is moving from a flat-rate licence to one based on the number of accounts you run. As a result, hosting expenses have increased for many businesses.
High-Account Setups Feel It Most
Resellers and those managing large VPS or dedicated servers experience the most pressure. Every additional account now brings an extra fee, and costs can snowball as portfolios grow.
Demand for More Predictable Pricing
This trend has encouraged many hosting providers to explore solutions with clearer pricing structures. DirectAdmin is gaining momentum because it offers a simple, server-based licence. Businesses benefit from steadier expenses and can scale without worrying about per-account surcharges.
What Makes DirectAdmin a Strong Alternative
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Straightforward, Server-Based Pricing - DirectAdmin uses a simple, server-based licence rather than per-account tiers. In most scenarios, one licence covers unlimited accounts and domains, which makes forecasting straightforward as you scale.
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Efficient and Lightweight Performance - The control panel is designed to use fewer server resources, making it ideal for environments with many accounts or high-traffic websites. This efficiency allows you to get the most out of your hosting infrastructure.
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Easy for cPanel Users to Learn - DirectAdmin features an intuitive interface that feels familiar to those who have used cPanel. The transition is smooth, with minimal training required for your team or clients.
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Works with Leading Hosting Technologies - DirectAdmin is compatible with technologies such as LiteSpeed Web Server, CloudLinux, NVMe storage, and other popular tools. These are already part of the stack offered by DreamIT Host, supporting high-speed and reliable performance.
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Built for Security and Stability - Ongoing development and a strong global community keep DirectAdmin secure and up to date. Regular updates and security features help protect your sites and data.
DirectAdmin with DreamIT: Performance and Local Support
Managed Servers and VPS Options
DreamIT Host provides Managed Server Hosting and flexible VPS Hosting, with support for your preferred control panel, including DirectAdmin. This gives you the freedom to choose the level of management and tooling that fits your team.
Support When You Need It, Day or Night
Access to 24/7 support from DreamIT’s Melbourne-based team means help is always on hand. Local expertise ensures quick response times and a better understanding of the needs of Australian and New Zealand businesses.
Free Migrations Without Downtime
Switching to DirectAdmin with DreamIT is straightforward. The team manages website and email migrations for you, focusing on a seamless process with no interruptions to your services. Learn more in our ‘How to Raise a Migration Request’ guide.
Local Infrastructure Across Australia and New Zealand
With data centres in Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, and Auckland, DreamIT provides low-latency hosting for clients throughout the region. This local presence improves performance and supports compliance requirements.
High-Performance Technology Stack
DreamIT Host’s platform runs on NVMe SSD storage and AMD EPYC processors, paired with LiteSpeed Web Server and CloudLinux. This setup delivers fast load times, strong reliability, and the capacity to handle demanding websites.
How to Switch Without Losing Data or Uptime
Step-by-Step Migration Process
DreamIT takes a structured approach to migrations, making sure your move from cPanel to DirectAdmin is smooth and stress-free:
- Assessment: The team reviews your current environment and prepares a detailed migration plan.
- Staging: Sites, databases, and email accounts are restored to a test server, where everything is checked for accuracy.
- Sync: A final data synchronisation is completed right before the switch, so nothing is missed.
- Go-Live: Your DNS is updated, and services are monitored to ensure everything works as expected.
Import Existing cPanel Backups with Ease
If you already have cPanel backups, these can be brought over using automated tools. This simplifies the process and helps maintain the integrity of your data.
No Downtime or Data Loss
DreamIT’s migration process is built to maintain service continuity during the transition. Our goal is zero downtime for websites and email, and the team monitors each service after go-live to verify performance and deliverability.
2026 Is the Ideal Time to Make the Switch
With cPanel price increases arriving in early 2026, there has never been a better moment to consider a change. Modern migration tools and improved software compatibility make the process smooth and dependable. DreamIT Host’s DirectAdmin solutions are well established, backed by local expertise and support from a team that manages everything in-house. By scheduling your migration ahead of renewal cycles, you can keep costs down and avoid double billing.
Ready to take the next step? Speak with our Melbourne-based support team about DirectAdmin Managed Server Hosting or ask about our cPanel-to-DirectAdmin migration service today.
FAQ
Will my websites and email stay online during the move?
Yes. DreamIT’s migration process is designed for zero downtime. Sites and email remain accessible throughout, and every step is carefully monitored. Learn more about the process at Free Migrations.
Can you transfer everything from cPanel to DirectAdmin?
Absolutely. Websites, databases, SSL certificates, cron jobs, and mailboxes can all be migrated. Any custom configurations are reviewed to ensure nothing is left behind.
What happens to my email when I switch?
Email accounts are set up in DirectAdmin with all DNS records, including MX, SPF, DKIM, and DMARC, recreated. IMAP sync keeps messages up to date until the switch is complete.
How long does the migration usually take?
Small moves can be finished in a few hours, while larger reseller accounts are handled in batches for safety. A clear timeline is set during your initial consultation. Start here: Email.
Is DirectAdmin easy for cPanel users to learn?
Yes. The interface is intuitive and similar to cPanel, making it easy for most users to adapt. DreamIT provides onboarding guides, and the support team is available 24/7 for any questions.
Will my data be safe if something unexpected comes up?
Yes. A full backup is kept until the migration is confirmed, and validation checklists are used for each account to catch issues quickly.
Can migrations be scheduled around renewal dates?
They can. DreamIT helps you plan your migration to avoid paying double fees and to make the transition as smooth as possible.