TCAdmin vs Pterodactyl
Pterodactyl is a free, open-source (MIT) game server panel that runs every server in a Docker container on Linux. TCAdmin 3 is a game server control panel built for hosting businesses since 2004, for Windows and Linux. Here's how they compare, based on what each publishes about itself.
Where TCAdmin is different
Native Windows game servers
TCAdmin 3: included. Pterodactyl: no.
Wine and WSL hosting
TCAdmin 3: included. Pterodactyl: not listed in its official material.
Virtual servers with their own IPs, limits and owners
TCAdmin 3: included. Pterodactyl: not listed in its official material.
Move servers between machines
TCAdmin 3: included. Pterodactyl: transfers between nodes.
Official WHMCS module
TCAdmin 3: included. Pterodactyl: not listed in its official material.
Sign in as a customer
TCAdmin 3: included. Pterodactyl: not listed in its official material.
Single sign-on from your website or billing
TCAdmin 3: included. Pterodactyl: not listed in its official material.
Slot and game-type enforcement
TCAdmin 3: included. Pterodactyl: not listed in its official material.
Steam Workshop installer
TCAdmin 3: included. Pterodactyl: not listed in its official material.
Graphical config editors
TCAdmin 3: included. Pterodactyl: startup variables only.
Patch once, deploy to every server
TCAdmin 3: included. Pterodactyl: not listed in its official material.
Custom pages and API methods
TCAdmin 3: included. Pterodactyl: extensions in the 2.0 beta.
Built-in AI assistant
TCAdmin 3: included. Pterodactyl: not listed in its official material.
Side by side
| Feature | TCAdmin 3 | Pterodactyl |
|---|---|---|
| Licensing | ||
| Price | From $7.95 per server a month | Free, open source (MIT) |
| Licensed for selling game servers | ||
| Release status | Stable | Stable |
| Hosting | ||
| Native Windows game servers | No | |
| Linux game servers | ||
| Docker required | No (optional Docker services) | Yes |
| Many servers from one panel | ||
| Add a machine | One command; remotes join with a Flash token | Manual panel install; node join command |
| Wine and WSL hosting | Not listed | |
| Virtual servers with their own IPs, limits and owners | Not listed | |
| Move servers between machines | Transfers between nodes | |
| Business | ||
| Official WHMCS module | Not listed | |
| Sub-users with permissions | ||
| Sign in as a customer | Not listed | |
| Single sign-on from your website or billing | Not listed | |
| Slot and game-type enforcement | Not listed | |
| Support | Included with every license | Community (Discord, docs) |
| Game features | ||
| Steam Workshop installer | Not listed | |
| Modrinth and CurseForge mods | Both | Not listed |
| Graphical config editors | Startup variables only | |
| Patch once, deploy to every server | Not listed | |
| Backup destinations | Local, FTP and S3 | Local and S3 |
| Automation | ||
| Event scripting | C#, IronPython, PowerShell, JavaScript and shell | Egg install script only |
| Custom pages and API methods | Extensions in the 2.0 beta | |
| Built-in AI assistant | Not listed | |
Checked on October 28, 2026 against Pterodactyl's own website, documentation and releases (pterodactyl.io/, docs.pterodactyl.io/v1/panel/getting-started, docs.pterodactyl.io/v1/wings/installing, docs.pterodactyl.io/v2/extensions, github.com/pterodactyl/panel/releases). "Not listed" means we couldn't find it in their official material, not that it doesn't exist. Spotted something out of date?Tell us on Discord. Pterodactyl is a trademark of its owner; TCAdmin is not affiliated with it.
Try TCAdmin alongside Pterodactyl
Every license starts with 30 days free. Install it on a spare machine, import your games from the plugin repository and see how it fits your business.
Run your first server on TCAdmin 3 today.
Every license starts with 30 days free, on Windows or Linux.