Cockpit vs Webmin: What are the differences?

Cockpit and Webmin are two popular web-based server administration tools that provide user-friendly interfaces for managing Linux servers. While both tools have similar goals, there are key differences between them that make each tool unique.

1. User Interface: Cockpit focuses on providing a modern and intuitive interface, with a user-friendly design and easy navigation. It offers a responsive web interface that adapts well to different screen sizes and devices. On the other hand, Webmin has a more traditional interface with a hierarchical menu system and a wide range of configuration options.

2. Features: Cockpit is designed to provide a streamlined set of features for managing the server, with a focus on system monitoring, user management, and network configuration. It offers a dashboard that provides an overview of the server's status and allows quick access to common tasks. Webmin, on the other hand, offers a comprehensive set of features covering various aspects of server administration, including file management, software package management, and DNS configuration.

3. Integration: Cockpit is tightly integrated with the underlying Linux system, making use of systemd for managing services and the PolicyKit framework for authentication and access control. This integration enables Cockpit to provide a consistent and secure administration experience. Webmin, on the other hand, is built as a standalone application and can be installed on a wide range of Linux distributions without any specific dependencies.

4. Extensibility: Cockpit offers a modular architecture that allows developers to create custom plugins and extensions to add new functionality. It supports the use of Cockpit Bridge, which enables integration with existing server administration tools and scripts. Webmin also provides a plugin system for extending its functionality, with a wide range of third-party modules available for various services and applications.

5. Target Audience: Cockpit is aimed at system administrators who prefer a simplified and modern interface, with a focus on managing a single server or a small number of servers. It is suitable for both beginners and experienced administrators who value simplicity and ease of use. Webmin, on the other hand, is designed for more experienced administrators who require advanced configuration options and need to manage multiple servers from a centralized interface.

6. Licensing: Cockpit is released under the LGPL (Lesser General Public License) and is open source, allowing users to inspect and modify the source code. Webmin is released under the BSD license and is also open source.

In summary, Cockpit and Webmin differ in their user interface, features, integration with the Linux system, extensibility, target audience, and licensing. Both tools offer valuable server administration capabilities, but the choice between them depends on individual preferences and requirements.