In this article, we will explain what is Softaculous and what is it used for.
What is Softaculous and what is its application?
Softaculous serves as an automated installer that’s compatible with various hosting control panels like cPanel, Plesk, and DirectAdmin. It’s even adaptable to custom hosting panels through Softaculous Enterprise, designed specifically for that purpose.
The primary function of Softaculous is to streamline the process of setting up and configuring numerous scripts. Using Softaculous, the installation of major CMS platforms like WordPress, Joomla, PrestaShop, or Drupal can be accomplished with just a few clicks.
Beyond script installation, Softaculous also provides management capabilities for these installations. This includes updating them to the latest versions available, creating duplicates of installations, and establishing a staging environment for testing changes before implementing them on the live site.
Softaculous simplifies the installation procedure by offering a user-friendly graphical interface that leads you through each step. This automated installation is almost instant and can be completed in a few steps, in stark contrast to the intricate and time-consuming process of manual installation. Furthermore, during installation, you can activate the WordPress Multisite feature, enabling the management of multiple sites from a single admin panel and a sole WordPress installation.
Consider WordPress as an instance. If we were to manually install WordPress or other CMS platforms, what would be the procedure?
The sequence involves:
- Uploading the essential CMS files using either the file manager or FTP.
- Establishing a database and configuring the files.
- Initiating the installation.
Executing a manual installation necessitates intermediate skills. However, an automatic installer eradicates complexities, making the procedure accessible to all. Through Softaculous, all these actions are amalgamated and streamlined. The installation and configuration process can be executed with just a few clicks.
Softaculous Free vs. Premium
Softaculous comes in two variants: a Free version featuring a complimentary license and a Premium version offering paid plans available on a monthly or yearly subscription basis.
The Free version covers a solitary license per server, encompassing 59 scripts. The complete list of these scripts can be explored. Meanwhile, the Premium version encompasses over 400 scripts and even offers a free month-long trial.
Softaculous applications
Using Softaculous, you have the ability to install the most popular CMS platforms like WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal, in addition to a wide range of applications tailored for forums, blogs, social networks, and various other purposes.
Now, let’s take a look at a few of these scripts.
WordPress
WordPress stands as one of the most widely used CMS platforms for creating websites and blogs. It remains a free and open-source initiative bolstered by a continually active community dedicated to its enhancement and ongoing progress. It’s characterized by its user-friendly nature, enhanced by the availability of customizable themes, and its adaptability to diverse types of websites due to the incorporation of plugins.
Drupal
Drupal serves as a platform designed for constructing dynamic websites utilizing the PHP language. Similar to WordPress, this content management system is both free and open-source, operating under the GNU/GPL license.
phpBB
It stands out as one of the most commonly employed systems for forum administration, featuring an Open Source nature and facilitated by a control panel that empowers you to oversee and integrate new functionalities via a graphical interface, all without requiring coding knowledge.
WHMCS
It is one of the most popular platforms used by web hosts and hosting resellers, that enables the management and automation of billing, support tickets, and various other functionalities.
PrestaShop
An Open Source CMS tailored for e-commerce websites, this platform can be personalized using the array of available themes and enhanced with additional functionalities through modules. With Softaculous, you can effortlessly install PrestaShop with just a few clicks, facilitating the prompt establishment of your online store.
Conclusion
Using Softaculous is incredibly straightforward, and through its user-friendly interface, you can efficiently install CMS and various other applications. This streamlined process saves a substantial amount of time that can be immediately channeled toward expanding your web project.
