How to migrate from cPanel to DirectAdmin?

Migrating from cPanel to DirectAdmin can be done smoothly if you follow the right steps. Since both panels support similar features (like DNS, mail, databases), the key is converting cPanel backup data into a format DirectAdmin understands.

Create Full cPanel Backup

Log into your cPanel account, then:

• Go to Backup

• Click on Download a Full Account Backup

• Choose destination: Home Directory

• Wait for the archive (e.g., backup-07.17.2025_01-00-00_user.tar.gz) to be generated

Alternatively, via terminal:

/scripts/pkgacct username

This will place the backup in /home/ directory.

Transfer the Backup to the DirectAdmin Server

Use scp to move the backup file:

scp backup-*.tar.gz root@your-directadmin-server:/home/admin/

Or upload via SFTP if you’re using a control panel with file access.

Enable cPanel Import Plugin on DirectAdmin

DirectAdmin supports cPanel backups natively via the admin interface or command-line importer.

To install/import via CLI:

cd /home/admin
/usr/local/directadmin/scripts/cpanel_to_da/cpanel_to_da.sh backup-*.tar.gz

Or use:

cd /usr/local/directadmin/scripts
./cpanel_to_da.sh /home/admin/backup-username.tar.gz

It will automatically extract data, create the user, restore emails, databases, domains, and DNS.

Fix DNS Records and Domain Pointers

After migration, double-check DNS zones for:

• A records

• MX records

• SPF, DKIM, DMARC

DirectAdmin has its own DNS format and may apply defaults. Adjust these via:

Admin Level → DNS Administration

Check Email Accounts and Passwords

Sometimes email passwords do not transfer correctly due to encryption differences between cPanel and DirectAdmin. You can:

• Reset passwords via DirectAdmin UI

• Or manually copy passwd and shadow files from /home/username/etc/domain.com/

Update NameServers or A Records

Point your domain to the new DirectAdmin server:

• If you’re managing DNS on another platform (like Cloudflare), update A records

• If DirectAdmin is managing DNS, update your registrar’s nameservers

You can verify with:

dig yourdomain.com +short

Clean Up and Test Everything

• Test web files and permission (usually stored in /home/username/domains/)

• Verify databases via phpMyAdmin

• Test email send/receive

• Check SSL (Let’s Encrypt can be reissued from DA panel)