Softaculous

Softaculous is an auto-installer for cPanel and DirectAdmin that automates the installation of web applications to a website through scripts. It simplifies the process of installing various web applications, like WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, and more with just a few clicks.

More About Softaculous

Wide Range of Applications: Offers a vast library of scripts covering a wide range of categories including blogging platforms, e-commerce solutions, content management systems, social networking scripts, and more.

Ease of Use: Designed to be user-friendly, allowing users with minimal technical knowledge to easily install, update, and manage web applications.

Automatic Updates: Provides options for automatic updates of applications, ensuring that web applications are kept up-to-date with the latest features and security updates.

Backup and Restore: Often includes features for backing up and restoring installations, which is critical for data protection and recovery.

How to Use Softaculous in cPanel

Here are the steps to use Softaculous in cPanel:

1. Log in to cPanel:
   • Open your web browser and enter your cPanel URL. It’s typically in the format https://yourdomain.com/cpanel, replacing “yourdomain.com” with your actual domain.
   • Enter your cPanel username and password to log in.
2. Locate the Softaculous App Installer:
   • In the cPanel dashboard, scroll down to the “Software” or “Services” section.
   • Look for the Softaculous Apps Installer icon, which is represented by a colorful “S” icon. Click on it to access Softaculous.
3. Choose an Application:
   • Once inside Softaculous, you’ll see a list of popular applications on the left sidebar. You can also use the search bar to find a specific application.
   • Click on the application you want to install.
4. Configure Installation Settings:
   • After selecting an application, you’ll be taken to the installation settings page. Here, you can configure various options, including:
     • Choose the protocol (HTTP or HTTPS) for your website.
     • Select the domain on which you want to install the application if you have multiple domains.
     • Specify the directory where you want to install the application. Leave it blank to install in the root directory (e.g., public_html).
     • Enter a username and password for the admin account.
     • Provide an email address for admin notifications.
     • Customize any additional settings specific to the application.
5. Install the Application:
   • After configuring the settings, click the “Install” or “Submit” button. Softaculous will begin the installation process.
6. Wait for Installation Confirmation:
   • Softaculous will display a progress bar, and once the installation is complete, you’ll see a success message.
7. Access Your Application:
   • You can now access your newly installed application by going to your website using the domain or directory you specified during installation.
   • For example, if you installed WordPress in the root directory, you can access it at https://yourdomain.com.

That’s it! You’ve successfully used Softaculous to install an application on your cPanel hosting account.

How to Use Softaculous in DirectAdmin

Using Softaculous in DirectAdmin is a straightforward process that allows you to easily install various web applications on your hosting account. Here are the steps to use Softaculous in DirectAdmin:

1. Log in to DirectAdmin:
   • Open your web browser and enter your DirectAdmin control panel URL. It’s typically in the format https://yourdomain.com:2222, replacing “yourdomain.com” with your actual domain.
   • Enter your DirectAdmin username and password to log in.
2. Access Softaculous:
   • In the DirectAdmin dashboard, look for the “Softaculous” icon or text link. It’s usually located under the “Advanced Features” or a similar section.
   • Click on the “Softaculous” icon or link to access the Softaculous auto-installer.
3. Choose an Application:
   • Once inside Softaculous, you’ll see a list of popular applications on the left sidebar. You can also use the search bar to find a specific application.
   • Click on the application you want to install.
4. Configure Installation Settings:
   • After selecting an application, you’ll be taken to the installation settings page. Here, you can configure various options, including:
     • Choose the protocol (HTTP or HTTPS) for your website.
     • Select the domain on which you want to install the application if you have multiple domains.
     • Specify the directory where you want to install the application. Leave it blank to install in the root directory (e.g., public_html).
     • Enter a username and password for the admin account.
     • Provide an email address for admin notifications.
     • Customize any additional settings specific to the application.
5. Install the Application:
   • After configuring the settings, click the “Install” or “Submit” button. Softaculous will start the installation process.
6. Wait for Installation Confirmation:
   • Softaculous will display a progress bar, and once the installation is complete, you’ll see a success message.
7. Access Your Application:
   • You can now access your newly installed application by going to your website using the domain or directory you specified during installation.
   • For example, if you installed WordPress in the root directory, you can access it at https://yourdomain.com.

That’s it! You’ve successfully used Softaculous in DirectAdmin to install an application on your hosting account.

In conclusion, Softaculous is popular in shared hosting environments where users seek convenience and efficiency in managing web applications. Its integration with control panels like cPanel and DirectAdmin makes managing web applications accessible to a broad range of users, from beginners to advanced webmasters.