# FAQ

> Answers to common FeatherPanel questions about cost, license, supported systems, Pterodactyl eggs and migration, modules, nodes, plugins, updates and data safety.

Source: https://featherpanel.com/docs/faq/

Short answers with links to the full guides. Each answer is also in the page's structured data, so search engines can
show it directly.

## General

### Is FeatherPanel free?

Yes. The panel is licensed under the AGPL-3.0 and costs nothing to self-host. FeatherWings and FeatherCli are MIT
licensed. If you run a modified panel for other people, the AGPL-3.0 asks you to publish your changes.

### What can it manage?

Game servers on [FeatherWings](https://featherpanel.com/docs/wings), Proxmox VE virtual machines and LXC containers, and web hosting on
[FeatherQuilld](https://featherpanel.com/docs/quilld). Each module can be switched off. See the [feature list](https://featherpanel.com/docs/getting-started/features).

### How does it compare to Pterodactyl?

Read [FeatherPanel vs Pterodactyl](https://featherpanel.com/docs/featherpanel-vs-pterodactyl) for a side-by-side table.

## Installing

### Which systems are supported?

Debian 11, 12 and 13 and Ubuntu 22.04, 24.04, 25.04, 25.10 and 26.04, on amd64 or arm64. Full details are on the
[requirements](https://featherpanel.com/docs/getting-started/requirements) page.

### Docker or source install?

Docker. The source install exists but is not supported. See [Installing the panel](https://featherpanel.com/docs/panel/installation).

### Can the panel and FeatherWings share a machine?

Yes. Install the panel, then [FeatherWings](https://featherpanel.com/docs/wings/installation), and use the machine's own address as the node
FQDN. Separate machines are easier to secure and scale.

### Do I need a domain?

You can test on `http://YOUR_IP:4831`. For anything public, use a domain with HTTPS through a
[web server](https://featherpanel.com/docs/panel/web-server) or a [Cloudflare Tunnel](https://featherpanel.com/docs/panel/web-server/cloudflare-tunnel).

## Pterodactyl

### Can I migrate?

Yes, with `feathercli migrate`. Follow the [migration guide](https://featherpanel.com/docs/migrating/pterodactyl). Passwords keep working
because the bcrypt hashes are copied, and server UUIDs stay the same.

### Do Pterodactyl eggs work?

Yes. Eggs are imported as spells, nests become realms.

## Running it

### How do I update?

See [Updating the panel](https://featherpanel.com/docs/panel/updating) and [Updating Wings](https://featherpanel.com/docs/wings/updating). Database migrations run
automatically when the backend starts.

### How do I back up?

Back up the database and `DATABASE_ENCRYPTION_KEY` together. The installer has a Backup Manager, and `featherpanel
snapshots create` writes a database snapshot. See [Backups](https://featherpanel.com/docs/panel/backups).

### Can I extend it?

Yes. Plugins can hook [events](https://featherpanel.com/docs/plugins/events) and add [widgets](https://featherpanel.com/docs/plugins/widgets), and the [REST API](https://featherpanel.com/docs/api/reference) covers the panel.

### Is there telemetry?

The `telemetry` setting is on by default and sends aggregate counts only. See [Security](https://featherpanel.com/docs/security#telemetry) to
turn it off.

### Where do I get help?

Check [Troubleshooting](https://featherpanel.com/docs/troubleshooting), then ask in the
[MythicalSystems Discord](https://discord.mythical.systems).

## Frequently asked questions

### Is FeatherPanel free?

Yes. The panel is open source under the AGPL-3.0 and free to self-host. FeatherWings and the CLI are MIT licensed.

### Which operating systems can I install it on?

The installer accepts Debian 11, 12 and 13 and Ubuntu 22.04, 24.04, 25.04, 25.10 and 26.04, on amd64 or arm64.

### Can I move from Pterodactyl?

Yes. FeatherCli migrates users, nodes, eggs, servers, databases, backups, subusers and schedules into a fresh panel, and you replace Wings with FeatherWings on each node. Server files stay in place.

### Do Pterodactyl eggs work?

Yes. Eggs are imported as spells and nests become realms.

### Do I need game servers to use FeatherPanel?

No. The game, VDS and web hosting modules can each be turned off, so you can run it only for Proxmox VMs or only for web hosting.

### Can the panel and FeatherWings run on the same machine?

Yes. Install the panel first, then FeatherWings, and use the machine's address as the node FQDN. Use separate machines for production hosting.

### How do I update?

Run the installer again and pick update, or use the Updates page in the admin area on Docker installs. Database migrations run when the backend starts.

### Where is my data stored?

On Docker installs in named volumes (database, config with the encryption key, attachments, logs). Game server files live on each node under its data directory.
