Quick answer: The most popular alternatives to CubeCoders AMP are Pterodactyl (free, multi-node, Linux and Docker), PufferPanel (free and lighter), GameAP and MCSManager (free, and both run on Windows as well as Linux), and newer open-source panels such as Calagopus and FeatherPanel. If you want an AMP alternative for your own Windows PC with no web panel to install or secure, HTN Panel is the simplest option.
Disclosure: HTN Panel is made by HTNetwork, which publishes this page. We have covered the other panels fairly so you can choose what suits you.
Written by Tom Pearce, founder of HTNetwork, who runs game servers on Pterodactyl in production and built HTN Panel.
What is AMP, and why look for an alternative?
AMP (Application Management Panel) by CubeCoders is a paid, closed-source web panel for running game servers on Windows or Linux. It is a capable, mature product: it supports a large library of games and includes scheduling, backups and a users and roles system with fine-grained permissions.
People still look for alternatives for a few common reasons:
- Price and licensing. AMP is paid, and the Standard edition limits how many panel users you can have; free, open-source panels have no licence cost.
- Open source. Some owners want to read, change or self-audit the code.
- Multi-node hosting at scale. Hosting companies often prefer Pterodactyl-family panels built around many nodes and containers.
- Something simpler for one PC. AMP is still a web panel you install, expose and secure. If you only want a few servers for friends on your own computer, a desktop app is less work.
- Roadmap uncertainty. CubeCoders has paused new features for a period to focus on bug fixes, and has announced AMP 3, which will change how roles and users work.
AMP alternatives compared at a glance
Panel | Price | Runs on | Interface | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
AMP by CubeCoders (for comparison) | Paid licence | Windows, Linux | Web panel | A supported, all-in-one commercial panel |
Free (MIT) | Linux, Docker | Web panel | Multi-node setups and hosting companies | |
Free (Apache 2.0) | Linux | Web panel | A simpler self-hosted panel for small setups | |
Free (MIT) | Windows, Linux | Web panel | A free panel that runs natively on Windows or Linux | |
Free (Apache 2.0) | Windows, Linux | Web panel | Minecraft and Steam games across one or more machines | |
Free | Linux, Docker | Web panel | A modern Rust rewrite of the Pterodactyl model | |
FeatherPanel | Free, open source | Linux, Docker | Web panel | A newer, lightweight open-source panel |
$8.99/month or $99.99 lifetime | Windows PC or Windows VPS | Desktop app | Making game servers on your own PC with no panel to install |
Free and open-source AMP alternatives
Pterodactyl: best for multi-node setups
Pterodactyl is the most widely used free game server panel. It runs every server in its own Docker container, managed by a Wings daemon on each node, which makes it the standard choice for hosting companies.
Pros: free (MIT), huge community and egg library, multi-node.
Cons: Linux and Docker only; a web stack, database and Wings to install and maintain; no official support.
PufferPanel: best lightweight option
PufferPanel is a free, open-source panel that is simpler to install than Pterodactyl, and is often recommended on r/selfhosted as an easier AMP alternative for small setups.
Pros: easy install, light on resources.
Cons: smaller template library and community.
GameAP: best free panel for Windows and Linux
GameAP is a free, open-source panel (MIT) that runs natively on both Linux and Windows, with no paid tiers or server limits.
Pros: free with no lock-ins, Windows support.
Cons: smaller community than Pterodactyl.
MCSManager: best for Minecraft and Steam games
MCSManager is a free (Apache 2.0), lightweight panel for Minecraft and Steam game servers. It runs on Windows and Linux without a database, and can manage several machines from one web panel.
Pros: easy Windows install, no database, multi-machine.
Cons: strongest for Minecraft; other games need more setup.
Calagopus and FeatherPanel: newer open-source panels
Calagopus is a ground-up rewrite of the Pterodactyl model in Rust that reuses Pterodactyl-style eggs. FeatherPanel is another newer, lightweight open-source panel. Both are worth watching, but they are younger projects with smaller communities.
What is the best AMP alternative for a Windows PC?
HTN Panel is the simplest AMP alternative for a Windows PC. It is a desktop app, not a web panel: you install it like any other Windows program, pick a game and make a server in one click. A built-in tunnel lets friends join without port forwarding, so there is no web panel, database or firewall to set up and secure.
AMP | HTN Panel | |
|---|---|---|
What it is | Web panel you install on a machine | Windows desktop app |
Runs on | Windows and Linux | Windows PC or Windows VPS |
Players joining from outside | You open ports or use a tunnel | Built-in tunnel, no port forwarding |
Backups and scheduling | Yes | Backups built in |
Team access | Users and roles | Remote access for trusted users |
Price | One-off paid licence by edition | $8.99 a month or $99.99 lifetime, every game included, 24-hour refund |
Best for | Self-hosters and hosts who want a supported multi-game panel | Making a few servers for friends or a community on your own PC |
Games: FiveM, RedM, Minecraft, Rust, BeamMP, Hytale, Euro Truck Simulator 2, American Truck Simulator and more, all on one licence. See the full game library.
Choose AMP instead if you need Linux, many machines or a large catalogue of games beyond HTN Panel's library.
How do you choose an AMP alternative?
- Want it free and run hosting across several Linux machines? Pterodactyl, or Calagopus for a modern rewrite.
- One small Linux server and want simple? PufferPanel.
- Need a free panel that runs on Windows? GameAP or MCSManager.
- Mostly Minecraft? MCSManager.
- Just want servers for friends on your own Windows PC, no panel to set up? HTN Panel.
- Happy with AMP but want official support? Staying on AMP is a reasonable choice.
AMP alternatives FAQ
What is the best alternative to AMP?
It depends on your setup. Pterodactyl is the most popular free alternative for multi-node hosting, PufferPanel is the simplest free web panel, GameAP and MCSManager are free and run on Windows, and HTN Panel is the easiest option for a Windows PC.
Is there a free AMP alternative?
Yes. Pterodactyl, PufferPanel, GameAP, MCSManager, Calagopus and FeatherPanel are all free and open source.
What is the best AMP alternative for Windows?
For a free web panel, GameAP or MCSManager. For a desktop app that makes servers on your own PC with no port forwarding, HTN Panel.
AMP vs Pterodactyl: which is better?
AMP is paid, runs on Windows and Linux and has official support. Pterodactyl is free and built for many Linux nodes with Docker, but takes more setup and has community support only.
Does AMP have backups and user permissions?
Yes. AMP includes scheduled backups and a users and roles system, though the Standard edition limits the number of panel users.
Is HTN Panel a web panel like AMP?
No. HTN Panel is a Windows desktop app. It runs servers on the PC it is installed on and uses a built-in tunnel so players can join without port forwarding.
Summary
AMP is a solid commercial panel, but there are good alternatives for every setup: Pterodactyl and Calagopus for multi-node Linux hosting, PufferPanel for simplicity, GameAP and MCSManager for free panels on Windows, and HTN Panel for making servers on your own Windows PC with no panel to install.
Get HTN Panel: one licence for every game, $8.99 a month or $99.99 lifetime, with a 24-hour refund. Comparing Pterodactyl too? See our Pterodactyl alternatives guide.