can someone explain what the difference is between control panels like (plesk/helm/cpanel/directadmin) versus WHMCS? i see some hosts here say they use WHM/cPanel and some will say they just use cPanel.

What difference does WHM do? i thought it was a control panel just like all the others so why would you integrate WHM and cpanel?


thanks

WHMCS is not WHM+cPanel...

WHMCS is a billing system, and cPanel/WHM is a hosting control panel...

Like Edward said, WHMCS is merely a billing system script. It can control and provision accounts for cPanel, and I think it can do DA, Plesk, and Helm too.

ok thanks that explains it more. However i thought cpanel, helm etc had billing systems or am i wrong?

If not what are alternatives to WHM, is WHM considered the best?

cPanel doesn't have a billing system built in. WHM (Web Host Manager) is a part of cPanel. Cpanel and WHM are the same thing. I'm not sure about helm, but I'll bet that it also doesn't have a built in billing system. cPanel/WHM, and HELM, are server control panels, not billing solutions.

forget the last sentence i mean:
if they do why would you use WHMCS with a cpanel/plesk etc

you beat me to it with your reply thanks.

So what are the alternatives to WHMCS?

You're welcome :)

There are a few alternatives to WHMCS if you are looking for a billing system. There's ClientExec, Modernbill, WHMautopilot, and I believe there are a couple of others. I honestly prefer WHMCS though.

Another whmcs fan here

Helm does have billing capabilities in it, not 100% sure how it works though. It might be an addon or something

http://www.parallels.com/en/products/helm/details/#Billing

found this about Helm seems they do have built in billing can anyone give some feedback on their billing system?