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Cockpit alternatives for managing more than one server (2026)
Updated 10 November 2026
Cockpit is free (LGPL) and excellent for running a Linux server through a browser, and it can switch between hosts. People look elsewhere when they want one combined view of many machines, history, phone apps, or Macs and Windows PCs alongside Linux.
Disclosure: written by the bananana.dev team. Checked November 10, 2026.
| Alternative | Strength | Platforms | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| bananana.dev | One dashboard for every machine, with history and phone apps | Linux, macOS, Windows | Free for 10 devices |
| Webmin | Deep Linux and Unix configuration | Linux, Unix | Free, open source |
| MeshCentral | Remote desktop, terminal and files for a fleet | Windows, Linux, macOS, FreeBSD | Free, open source |
| Ajenti | Lightweight Linux admin panel | Linux | Free, open source |
| Portainer | Containers across hosts | Docker, Kubernetes | Free for 3 nodes; Starter $1,045/yr |
bananana.dev for Cockpit users
Same idea of "a server's pages in a browser" (overview, hardware, processes, services, Docker, files, terminal, screen), but the same pages for every machine, Linux or not, with users, roles, an audit log and Android and iPhone apps. Machines dial out, so you don't expose port 9090. Trade-offs: proprietary, and Cockpit goes deeper on Linux storage, networking and VMs.
Further reading
Try bananana.dev free for up to 10 devices: https://bananana.dev/pricing