Ok, this topic is posted a lot on WebHostingTalk as well. Unfortunately, there are many younger people here, or those whom don't share the same views as others.
There is no best control panel. cPanel is by no means the be all and end all, neither is Plesk, Ensim, DirectAdmin, web:\\cp and all the other control panels that are out there in the world.
I'm afraid to say so, but it's true. There is no be and end all control panel, there is only the control panel that is best for you.
This is something I find very important for people to understand.
I see this same sort of topic, everywhere, everyday - no matter what forum I'm on. It's also a shame there aren't that many whom say this what I say. I know a few on WHT, and myself and them all speak the truth, there is no be all and end all control panel.
However, what one can do - is give reasons as to why the control panel they use is best for them, since it may not be best for everyone else.
Personally, my company on shared hosting offers cPanel - not really because I want to, since I don't. Mainly because my clients want it. Personally I prefer Plesk - however again, my clients don't so I offer cPanel.
Many people like and are fond of cPanel, because unfortunately they find it extremely easy to use and have a fear of other control panels and also others are fond of cPanel because, to an extent, you can run a server and even a web hosting company without knowing what Linux is, what RedHat Linux does, and how to even maintain a server. I know this for a fact, since I've had a few friends in the past try this - I was actually annoyed with them, however thankfully they decided to stop since they were taking up too much time on their small hosting venture than actually doing the work they were paid to do.
These are however, only my personal views.