ScalaHosting VPS Review (2025): The cPanel Killer Is Here... And It's FREE?
Tired of cPanel's rising prices? ScalaHosting built their own powerful alternative, SPanel, and they give it away for free on their Managed VPS plans. We tested it to see if it's a true revolution in hosting.
Overall Rating
ScalaHosting: The Unfiltered Pros & Cons
The Game-Changing Advantages
- Free SPanel Control Panel: A powerful, modern, and 100% free alternative to cPanel.
- SShield Security: Proactive, AI-driven security that blocks 99.998% of threats.
- SWordPress Manager: A unique tool for easy WordPress management, cloning, and security.
- Excellent 24/7 Support: Fast, expert support with fantastic response times.
- Free Website Migrations: They will move all your websites for free, with no downtime.
The Minor Drawbacks
- Good, Not Elite Performance: Performance is great for the price, but not at the level of top-tier cloud providers.
- SPanel Learning Curve: If you've used cPanel for years, there's a small adjustment period.
- Limited Datacenters: Currently only in the US and Europe.
Performance Test: How Fast Is It?
We tested a mid-tier Managed VPS plan. The performance is impressive, thanks to their 100% NVMe storage and highly optimized stack. Our WordPress test site loaded quickly, with a TTFB consistently under 350ms. The server is stable, reliable, and more than capable of handling high-traffic websites and e-commerce stores.
Dashboard & The SPanel Revolution
This is ScalaHosting's biggest advantage. SPanel is their custom-built control panel, and it's fantastic. It's lightweight, secure, and has all the features of cPanel without the licensing fees. It includes the SWordPress Manager for one-click staging and security, and the SShield firewall for proactive protection. It's a true game-changer.
Managed Cloud VPS Pricing
| Plan | CPU Cores | RAM | NVMe Storage | Price/Month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Start (Best Value) | 2 Cores | 4 GB | 50 GB | $29.95 |
| Advanced | 4 Cores | 8 GB | 100 GB | $63.95 |
| Business | 8 Cores | 16 GB | 150 GB | $121.95 |
| Enterprise | 12 Cores | 24 GB | 200 GB | $179.95 |
ScalaHosting vs. The Competition
| Feature | ScalaHosting | A2 Hosting (Managed) | FastComet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Control Panel | SPanel (Free) | cPanel (Free) | cPanel (Free) |
| Unique Security | SShield (AI Firewall) | Perpetual Security | FastGuard |
| WordPress Toolkit | ✔ (SWordPress) | ✔ | ✔ |
| Support Quality | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| Starting Price | ~$29.95 | ~$39.99 | ~$59.95 |
Final Verdict: Is ScalaHosting The Real Deal?
Yes. Choose ScalaHosting if...
You want to escape the expensive and restrictive world of cPanel without sacrificing power or features. If you value innovation, top-tier security, and expert support, ScalaHosting's managed VPS with SPanel is not just a great alternative—it's a superior solution for most modern website owners and developers.
