Honest comparison · 2026

BeAdmin vs aaPanel

aaPanel is a fast, free panel with a rich app store — a genuinely capable product. BeAdmin keeps users, roles and multi‑server in the free core, charges per module from $1, and ships a VPN. Below — where the two really differ, marked plainly.

See docs

Roles in the free core · Built‑in VPN · Pay per module

Key features

No paywall
BeAdmin
In the core
aaPanel
Behind Pro

Built‑in VPN

Only BeAdmin
BeAdmin
5 protocols
aaPanel
None

Pricing model

From $1/mo
BeAdmin
Free core + modules
aaPanel
Pro subscription

Multi‑user & roles

No upgrade
BeAdmin
In the core
aaPanel
Pro only
01 — differences

Key differences

Five VPN protocols, zero plugins

Xray, WireGuard, OpenVPN, Outline and Amnezia are modules in the same UI. aaPanel ships no VPN at all — you would build and run that part yourself.

Key features in the core, not Pro

aaPanel keeps multi‑user accounts, the app‑level WAF and File Protection behind its Pro plan. BeAdmin includes users, roles and per‑task permissions in the free core — no upgrade required.

Per‑module pricing, not a Pro bundle

aaPanel sells its Pro features as one annual or lifetime bundle. BeAdmin keeps the core free and charges per module from $1/mo — you pay only for the specific feature you switch on.

Transparent billing and support

BeAdmin is a European product with à la carte module pricing and direct support, so you always know what each feature costs and where help comes from.

02 — features

Feature comparison

Values pulled from each panel’s public docs. aaPanel has the broader app store and extra runtimes; BeAdmin keeps users, roles and a VPN in the free core — we mark each row plainly.

Foundations
7
  • Supported OS
    BeAdmin Debian, Ubuntu
    aaPanel Debian, Ubuntu, CentOS, AlmaLinux/Rocky/CloudLinux
  • Min RAM
    BeAdmin 512 MB
    aaPanel 512 MB
  • Min disk
    BeAdmin 10 GB
    aaPanel ~1 GB+
  • Architecture
    BeAdmin x86_64
    aaPanel x86_64
  • Pick‑and‑mix modules
    BeAdmin Yes
    aaPanel Yes
  • Multi‑server from one UI
    BeAdmin Yes
    aaPanel Partial
  • Site / account limit
    BeAdmin Unlimited
    aaPanel Unlimited sites; accounts via Pro
Web & runtimes
7
  • Nginx
    BeAdmin Yes
    aaPanel Yes
  • Apache + Nginx hybrid
    BeAdmin Yes
    aaPanel Yes
  • Multiple PHP versions per site
    BeAdmin Yes
    aaPanel Yes
  • Node.js / Python / Ruby (managed)
    BeAdmin No
    aaPanel Yes
  • OpenLiteSpeed
    BeAdmin No
    aaPanel Yes
  • WordPress one‑click toolkit
    BeAdmin Yes
    aaPanel Yes
  • Docker (managed module)
    BeAdmin Yes
    aaPanel Partial
Data & mail
6
  • MariaDB / MySQL
    BeAdmin Yes
    aaPanel Yes
  • PostgreSQL
    BeAdmin Soon
    aaPanel Yes
  • phpMyAdmin built‑in
    BeAdmin Yes
    aaPanel Yes
  • Self‑managed mail server
    BeAdmin Yes
    aaPanel Yes
  • Webmail (Roundcube)
    BeAdmin Yes
    aaPanel Yes
  • DKIM / SPF / DMARC autoconfig
    BeAdmin Partial
    aaPanel Yes
Security
6
  • Let’s Encrypt automation
    BeAdmin Yes
    aaPanel Yes
  • WAF (ModSecurity / Nginx)
    BeAdmin No
    aaPanel Partial
  • Built‑in VPN modules (5 protocols)
    BeAdmin Yes
    aaPanel No
  • Multi‑user accounts & roles
    BeAdmin Yes
    aaPanel Pro only
  • File protection / tamper guard
    BeAdmin Yes
    aaPanel Pro only
  • CloudLinux integration
    BeAdmin No
    aaPanel Partial
Operations
6
  • Open API for every UI action
    BeAdmin Yes
    aaPanel Yes
  • Built‑in scheduled backups
    BeAdmin Yes
    aaPanel Yes
  • App store with extra runtimes
    BeAdmin Partial
    aaPanel Yes
  • First‑class dark mode
    BeAdmin Yes
    aaPanel Partial
  • Forever‑free tier
    BeAdmin Yes
    aaPanel Yes
  • Free trial
    BeAdmin Not needed
    aaPanel Free core; Pro paid
03 — why beadmin

Why pick BeAdmin over aaPanel

VPN INCLUDED

Privacy stack out of the box

Xray, WireGuard, OpenVPN, Outline, Amnezia — turn any of them on with a single click. aaPanel has no VPN at all; you would build and maintain that part yourself outside the panel.

NO PAYWALL

Roles and access without Pro

aaPanel locks multi‑user accounts, the app‑level WAF and File Protection behind Pro. BeAdmin ships users, roles and per‑task permissions in the free core — you can split access across a team without paying to unlock it.

PAY PER MODULE

Pay only for what you run

aaPanel sells its Pro features as one bundle — annual from about $98/yr or lifetime. BeAdmin keeps the core free and charges per module from $1/mo, so the bill tracks the specific features you actually switch on.

TRANSPARENT

Clear pricing and direct support

BeAdmin is a European product with à la carte module pricing and direct support. You always know what each feature costs and where help comes from — no Pro tier to decode.

04 — pros & cons

What each panel does well — and where each gives ground

aaPanel has a rich free app store and extra runtimes; BeAdmin keeps users, roles and a VPN in the free core. Synthesised from public docs and our own usage — your mileage may vary.

BeAdmin

Strengths

  • Users, roles and per‑task permissions in the free core — no Pro
  • Five built‑in VPN protocols (Xray, WireGuard, OpenVPN, Outline, Amnezia)
  • Per‑module pricing from $1/mo — pay only for what you run
  • Multi‑server from one UI
  • Transparent, à la carte billing with direct support
  • Modern UI with first‑class dark mode

Trade‑offs

  • Smaller app store — no Node.js, Python or OpenLiteSpeed
  • PostgreSQL not yet a managed module
  • No bundled WAF
  • Narrower OS list — Debian and Ubuntu only

aaPanel

Strengths

  • Free core with a rich app store (Docker, OpenLiteSpeed, Node, Python)
  • PostgreSQL and MongoDB available from the app store
  • Very low resource floor and one‑command install
  • One‑command mail server with DKIM/SPF/DMARC autoconfig
  • Broad OS support and a large community
  • Quick start, popular with developers and self‑hosters

Trade‑offs

  • No built‑in VPN
  • Multi‑user, app‑level WAF and File Protection are Pro‑only
  • Full Docker management gated behind Pro
  • Pro sold as an annual or lifetime bundle, not per feature
  • Dark mode depends on version and theme
05 — pricing

Free core + modules vs a Pro bundle

aaPanel’s core is free, but several key features sit behind a Pro bundle. BeAdmin keeps a free core and charges per module from $1/mo for the specific feature you switch on.

BeAdmin — free core + modules

Free core

0 € forever, no account required
  • Nginx, MariaDB, PHP, CRON
  • Mail server
  • File manager, users, roles
  • Backups, scheduler, monitoring

Add modules à la carte

From 1 €/mo. Enable only what you need, disable any time — no account caps. The VPN family lives here.

aaPanel — free core + Pro
  • Free

    $0

    forever

    • Sites, SSL, file manager
    • ·
    • App store, basic protection
  • Pro (annual)

    ~$98/yr

    promo, varies

    • Multi‑user, app WAF
    • ·
    • File protection, hardening
  • Pro (lifetime)

    ~$399

    promo, varies

    • All Pro features
    • ·
    • One‑time payment

aaPanel’s core is free forever. Pro prices are promotional and shift over time — figures here are approximate. Several key features (multi‑user, app‑level WAF, File Protection) become available only with Pro.

aaPanel pricing from aapanel.com (2026, approximate promo figures). BeAdmin module pricing from beadmin.com.

06 — requirements

System requirements

The smallest VPS each panel will comfortably run on. Both are lightweight and start from a 512 MB minimum — RAM is not the dividing line here.

  • Minimum RAM
    BeAdmin 512 MB
    aaPanel 512 MB
  • Recommended RAM
    BeAdmin 1 GB
    aaPanel 768 MB – 1 GB
  • Minimum disk
    BeAdmin 10 GB
    aaPanel ~1 GB+
  • CPU
    BeAdmin 1 core
    aaPanel 1 core
  • Architecture
    BeAdmin x86_64
    aaPanel x86_64
  • Supported OS
    BeAdmin Debian, Ubuntu
    aaPanel Debian, Ubuntu, CentOS, AlmaLinux/Rocky/CloudLinux

Source: aaPanel install docs (aapanel.com). BeAdmin requirements from internal documentation.

07 — migration

Migrating from aaPanel

If aaPanel already runs on Debian or Ubuntu, there is no OS change. The old panel stays up until you decide to retire it.

01

Install BeAdmin on a Debian or Ubuntu server

If your aaPanel box runs Debian or Ubuntu, you can move without changing the OS family; a CentOS or AlmaLinux box needs a fresh server. One apt command brings up the free BeAdmin core — run it alongside aaPanel and switch over only when ready.

02

Move sites, databases, and mail

Transfer vhost configs, databases (mysqldump) and mailboxes manually or with your own scripts. BeAdmin does not import aaPanel backups directly — that is an honest gap, not a marketing trick. Migration notes live in our docs.

03

Switch DNS, watch the traffic

Flip DNS when you are comfortable. If anything looks off, revert DNS to the old server — the rollback is just one record change.

08 — questions

Frequently asked questions

aaPanel is a capable free panel, and if it fits you there is no need to move. The case for BeAdmin is that users, roles and multi‑server are in the free core (aaPanel gates multi‑user behind Pro), a built‑in VPN, and per‑module pricing from $1 instead of a Pro bundle. If those matter to you, the comparison above lays out the differences plainly.

The core is free, but several key features sit behind aaPanel Pro — multi‑user accounts, the app‑level WAF, File Protection, hardening, and full Docker management. BeAdmin keeps users, roles and permissions in the free core, and charges per module only for extras like the VPN.

No. aaPanel’s app store is broader — OpenLiteSpeed, Node.js, Python and more install with one click, which is a genuine aaPanel strength. BeAdmin focuses on Nginx, Apache and PHP. If those extra runtimes are central to your stack, that is worth knowing before you switch.

No. aaPanel ships no VPN, so you would set one up and maintain it yourself outside the panel. BeAdmin includes five protocols — Xray, WireGuard, OpenVPN, Outline and Amnezia — as modules in the same UI, each enabled with a single click.

Not directly. BeAdmin has no native importer for aaPanel backups, so sites, databases, mail and DNS move over manually or with your own scripts. We would rather say that plainly than promise compatibility we do not have.

Start managing infrastructure the way you actually want to

The panel core is free. Pay only for the modules you connect.

How to install