Beszel vs Cockpit
Cockpit is a slick web console for managing a single Linux server - services, storage, updates, terminal, and live metrics. Beszel is built to watch many servers and their Docker containers from one hub. They solve different problems, and they pair well together.
Beszel vs Cockpit: The Verdict
Cockpit is a free, open-source web console for managing a Linux server - services, storage, updates, terminal, and live metrics (with history via the PCP plugin). Beszel is a purpose-built monitoring dashboard that shows all your servers and Docker containers from one hub. Use Cockpit to administer a box; use Beszel to watch a fleet at a glance. Many self-hosters run both.
Last updated: 2026-06-16Quick Comparison
| Feature | Cockpit | Beszel |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Purpose | Server management console (services, storage, updates, terminal) | Purpose-built metrics dashboard |
| Multi-Server View | Per-host; a fleet view needs Grafana + PCP | All servers in one hub by default |
| Starting Price | Free (open source) | $3/mo (hosted on InstaPods) |
| Historical Metrics | Yes, via the PCP plugin (up to ~1 year if logged) | Built-in history, no add-ons |
| Setup Model | Install on each host you manage | One hub + a tiny agent per server |
| Docker Monitoring | Targets Podman; Docker needs extra setup | Built-in per-container stats |
| Resource Usage | Light (socket-activated, runs on access) | <10MB per agent |
| Best For | Managing one or a few Linux boxes | Watching many servers at a glance |
| Source Code | Open source (LGPLv2.1+) | Open source (MIT) |
Where Cockpit Gets Expensive
Trade-offs to weigh before committing.
Built for One Box, Not a Fleet
Cockpit shines managing a single server. Its old multi-host Dashboard was deprecated, so watching 10 servers at a glance now means setting up Grafana + PCP on top of it.
A Management Console First
Cockpit's job is administering a machine - restart services, update packages, manage storage, open a terminal. Metrics are a feature, not the focus. If you mainly want trend graphs across servers, that is not what it is optimized for.
Docker Needs Extra Work
Cockpit's container view targets Podman. Monitoring Docker containers means additional setup, where Beszel reads per-container stats out of the box.
History Needs the PCP Add-on
Cockpit can show historical graphs, but only after you enable the cockpit-pcp plugin and let it log. It is not on by default.
Why Self-Host with Beszel?
What you get when you pick this stack.
Every Server in One Place
Beszel's hub shows all your servers on one screen. No per-host logins, no Grafana to wire up.
Monitoring Is the Whole Point
Beszel does one thing - clean metrics and history for servers and Docker. The dashboard is ready on first load.
Docker Out of the Box
Per-container CPU, memory, and network with no extra components to install.
A $3 Pod Hosts the Hub
Run the Beszel hub on a $3/mo InstaPods pod. Agents push to it from anywhere - your VPS fleet, homelab, or cloud boxes.
Real Cost Comparison
Watching 5 servers from one dashboard.
- Cockpit: free, installed on each of the 5 servers
- A real fleet view: add Grafana + PCP (another service to host and configure)
- Setup: per-host, plus the Grafana/PCP layer
- Metrics history: enable and log via cockpit-pcp
- InstaPods Launch plan: $3/mo (Beszel hub)
- Beszel agents: free on all 5 servers
- One dashboard, no Grafana needed
- Setup time: 15 minutes
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Beszel better than Cockpit for monitoring?
For watching multiple servers' metrics from one screen, yes - that is exactly what Beszel is built for. Cockpit is the better tool when you also need to manage a box (restart services, update packages, open a terminal) rather than just monitor it.
Can Cockpit monitor multiple servers?
Cockpit's built-in multi-host Dashboard was deprecated. To monitor a fleet you combine Cockpit's PCP data with Grafana. Beszel shows all your servers in one hub without that extra layer.
Does Cockpit keep historical metrics?
Yes, through the cockpit-pcp plugin, which can retain data for up to a year if it is configured to log it. It is not enabled by default.
Can I run Cockpit and Beszel together?
Sure. Many self-hosters use Cockpit to administer each box and Beszel as the single pane of glass for metrics and alerts across all of them.
Replace Cockpit in 30 Seconds
Deploy Beszel on InstaPods and stop paying for features that should be free.
Deploy Beszel