You might be curious to know what is Softaculous? It’s a user-friendly tool that quickly deploys web apps on your website with a single click. It automates the installation of web applications to a website with predefined scripts. All installations are launched through the website admin area. Softaculous is run within the cPanel control panel and also through other website control programs like H-Spehere, DirectAdmin, Plesk and Interworx.
This is what a Softaculous interface looks like:
Through Softaculous you can equip your website with a variety of web applications like forums, blogs, eCommerce shopping carts, photo galleries and much more. Softaculous was established in 2009 and since then it became extremely popular in the web hosting industry due to the wide range of benefits it offers to the users.
Softaculous installation scripts comprise of a wide range of web applications. Softaculous categories include blogging, ad management, CRM, content management, customer support, eCommerce, ERP and more. At present, 325 Softaculous scripts are available.
The installation process of any application through Softaculous is designed to be just one click installation after entering all the necessary information. Applications can be downloaded through the install tab of the respective application.
Softaculous automatically organizes the database configuration, web server files, user permissions and installation.
First let’s have a look at the main highlights of Softaculous that determine its popularity:
- Easy to use
- One click installation of applications
- Over 300 scripts
- Scripts are updated regularly
- User friendly interface that is ideal for beginners
- All installation settings can be modified through user interface
- Backup and restore tool
- Demo scripts available before you install them on the server
- Great technical support and community forums
Getting Started!
‘You can install any application through Softaculous with just a click!’
Does that mean installing Softaculous is also that easy?
Well not really, but Softaculous has strived hard in order to make its installation relatively straightforward.
If you are installing Softaculous by yourself, basic knowledge of Linux system administration will be helpful. With the Linux platform, installation of Softaculous can be as simple as entering three one line commands.
On the other hand, if Softaculous is provided by your web hosting company, you don’t have to worry about installation.
How To Use Softaculous For Installing Applications?
In order to start installing web applications through Softaculous, login to Softaculous through cPanel first. You will see a list of applications on the left-hand side of the screen, select one of them.
Softaculous has a policy of updating the applications so that the latest stable versions are reflected. User options in Softaculous enable the user to change the language, change the screen display of side menus and redefine the default time zone.
Many applications are associated with scripts created in the standard PHP language. Softaculous also offers Pearl, JavaScript and PHP class functionality for the technically sound people.
Let Others Know What You Think!
Softaculous goes beyond the installation of web applications:
- It provides demo screens ‘See the Demo’ of various applications so that users can get an insight on what the web applications look like.
- It enables the users to rate and review the applications and the users can also provide additional information to others which will help them chose the appropriate application.
If you would like to work with various web applications, then you must have Softaculous as it makes life easier! The one click install option saves a lot of time and effort spent on integrating the application in your website.
Using Softaculous for WordPress
Wondering what is Softaculous WordPress? It’s a beginner-friendly tool that enables you to take a WordPress website live and handle WordPress in seconds. Softaculous simplifies database management, file installation, and configuration for you. It emerges as the one-stop solution if you plan to launch a WordPress website or blog.
FAQs
1. Is Softaculous a standalone application or need something else to run?
Softaculous is a well-known plugin for its auto-installation capability that effortlessly works with different hosting control panels like DirectAdmin, cPanel, InterWorx, etc. It enables quick installation of over 400 applications backed by a hosting environment with the support of a control panel.
2. Is Softaculous only for WordPress, or does it support other platforms?
Generally, people associate Softaculous mostly with WordPress, but its scope is far more extensive. It covers CMS Solutions, e-commerce frameworks, discussion forums, and more. To make clear what is Softaculous WordPress, it’s a versatile auto-installer supporting WordPress and beyond.
3. Does Softaculous offer demo versions of the applications it can install?
Indeed, with Softaculous, you get demo versions of several applications, so you can test them before configuring. You can explore the app’s interface and features before installation; all you need to do is click on the “See the Demo” option. This makes it easy to decide which tool best suits your website’s needs.
4. Does Softaculous provide automatic updates for installed applications?
Yes. Many of the apps installed using Softaculous support automatic updates. It eliminates manual intervention by enabling auto-updates. This feature is one of the core reasons users find it convenient and reliable for managing web applications.
