{"id":15918,"date":"2026-08-24T21:31:52","date_gmt":"2026-08-24T20:31:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/da-manager.com\/blog\/what-is-softaculous-and-how-to-use-it-2\/"},"modified":"2026-08-24T21:31:52","modified_gmt":"2026-08-24T20:31:52","slug":"what-is-softaculous-and-how-to-use-it-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/da-manager.com\/blog\/what-is-softaculous-and-how-to-use-it-2\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is Softaculous and How to Use It"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_84 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/da-manager.com\/blog\/what-is-softaculous-and-how-to-use-it-2\/#What_Is_Softaculous_and_How_to_Use_It_A_Complete_Guide_to_Softaculous_Hosting\" >What Is Softaculous and How to Use It: A Complete Guide to Softaculous Hosting<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-2' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/da-manager.com\/blog\/what-is-softaculous-and-how-to-use-it-2\/#What_Is_Softaculous\" >What Is Softaculous?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/da-manager.com\/blog\/what-is-softaculous-and-how-to-use-it-2\/#Why_Is_Softaculous_Hosting_So_Popular\" >Why Is Softaculous Hosting So Popular?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/da-manager.com\/blog\/what-is-softaculous-and-how-to-use-it-2\/#Speed_and_Convenience\" >Speed and Convenience<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/da-manager.com\/blog\/what-is-softaculous-and-how-to-use-it-2\/#Wide_Range_of_Supported_Scripts\" >Wide Range of Supported Scripts<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/da-manager.com\/blog\/what-is-softaculous-and-how-to-use-it-2\/#Automatic_Updates_and_Backups\" >Automatic Updates and Backups<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/da-manager.com\/blog\/what-is-softaculous-and-how-to-use-it-2\/#User-Friendly_Interface\" >User-Friendly Interface<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/da-manager.com\/blog\/what-is-softaculous-and-how-to-use-it-2\/#How_to_Access_Softaculous_on_Your_Hosting_Account\" >How to Access Softaculous on Your Hosting Account<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/da-manager.com\/blog\/what-is-softaculous-and-how-to-use-it-2\/#Accessing_Softaculous_via_cPanel\" >Accessing Softaculous via cPanel<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/da-manager.com\/blog\/what-is-softaculous-and-how-to-use-it-2\/#Accessing_Softaculous_via_DirectAdmin\" >Accessing Softaculous via DirectAdmin<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/da-manager.com\/blog\/what-is-softaculous-and-how-to-use-it-2\/#How_to_Install_WordPress_Using_Softaculous\" >How to Install WordPress Using Softaculous<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/da-manager.com\/blog\/what-is-softaculous-and-how-to-use-it-2\/#Step_1_Open_the_WordPress_Installer\" >Step 1: Open the WordPress Installer<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/da-manager.com\/blog\/what-is-softaculous-and-how-to-use-it-2\/#Step_2_Configure_Your_Installation_Settings\" >Step 2: Configure Your Installation Settings<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/da-manager.com\/blog\/what-is-softaculous-and-how-to-use-it-2\/#Step_3_Choose_Your_Language_and_Plugins\" >Step 3: Choose Your Language and Plugins<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/da-manager.com\/blog\/what-is-softaculous-and-how-to-use-it-2\/#Step_4_Complete_the_Installation\" >Step 4: Complete the Installation<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/da-manager.com\/blog\/what-is-softaculous-and-how-to-use-it-2\/#Managing_Your_Installations_with_Softaculous\" >Managing Your Installations with Softaculous<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/da-manager.com\/blog\/what-is-softaculous-and-how-to-use-it-2\/#Viewing_and_Updating_Installed_Applications\" >Viewing and Updating Installed Applications<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/da-manager.com\/blog\/what-is-softaculous-and-how-to-use-it-2\/#Creating_Backups\" >Creating Backups<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/da-manager.com\/blog\/what-is-softaculous-and-how-to-use-it-2\/#Cloning_and_Staging\" >Cloning and Staging<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/da-manager.com\/blog\/what-is-softaculous-and-how-to-use-it-2\/#Tips_for_Getting_the_Most_Out_of_Softaculous_Hosting\" >Tips for Getting the Most Out of Softaculous Hosting<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/da-manager.com\/blog\/what-is-softaculous-and-how-to-use-it-2\/#Conclusion\" >Conclusion<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p><html><br \/>\n<head><br \/>\n<title>What Is Softaculous and How to Use It | Softaculous Hosting Guide<\/title><br \/>\n<\/head><br \/>\n<body><\/p>\n<h1><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Is_Softaculous_and_How_to_Use_It_A_Complete_Guide_to_Softaculous_Hosting\"><\/span>What Is Softaculous and How to Use It: A Complete Guide to Softaculous Hosting<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n<p>If you have ever signed up for a web hosting plan and wondered how to install WordPress, Joomla, or any other popular web application without touching a single line of code, then Softaculous is the answer you have been looking for. Whether you are a complete beginner or an experienced website owner, understanding Softaculous hosting can save you enormous amounts of time and effort. In this guide, we will walk you through exactly what Softaculous is, why it matters, and how to use it effectively to manage your websites.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Is_Softaculous\"><\/span>What Is Softaculous?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Softaculous is an auto-installer script library that is integrated into web hosting control panels, most commonly cPanel and DirectAdmin. It allows website owners and developers to install hundreds of web applications with just a few clicks, completely eliminating the need for manual installation processes that can be complex and time-consuming.<\/p>\n<p>Founded in 2009, Softaculous has grown to become one of the most widely used auto-installers in the web hosting industry. It currently supports over 450 scripts, including content management systems, e-commerce platforms, forums, wikis, and much more. Some of the most popular applications available through Softaculous include WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, Magento, PrestaShop, and phpBB.<\/p>\n<p>When your hosting provider includes Softaculous in their package, it means you can get a fully functional website up and running within minutes, without needing any technical expertise. This is one of the primary reasons why Softaculous hosting has become such a popular selling point for hosting companies around the world.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_Is_Softaculous_Hosting_So_Popular\"><\/span>Why Is Softaculous Hosting So Popular?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Speed_and_Convenience\"><\/span>Speed and Convenience<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>One of the biggest advantages of Softaculous hosting is the sheer speed at which you can deploy web applications. A manual WordPress installation, for example, involves downloading files, creating a database, configuring settings, and uploading everything via FTP. With Softaculous, this entire process is condensed into a simple form that takes less than two minutes to complete.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Wide_Range_of_Supported_Scripts\"><\/span>Wide Range of Supported Scripts<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Softaculous supports an impressive catalogue of scripts across numerous categories. Whether you need a blogging platform, an online shop, a customer relationship management system, or a learning management system, you are likely to find a suitable application within the Softaculous library. This versatility makes it an invaluable tool for web developers who manage multiple client websites with different requirements.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Automatic_Updates_and_Backups\"><\/span>Automatic Updates and Backups<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Security is a major concern for any website owner, and outdated software is one of the leading causes of website vulnerabilities. Softaculous addresses this by offering automatic update notifications and, in many cases, automatic updates for installed applications. It also provides backup and restore functionality, allowing you to create snapshots of your installations and revert to them if something goes wrong.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"User-Friendly_Interface\"><\/span>User-Friendly Interface<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Softaculous features a clean, intuitive interface that makes it accessible to users of all skill levels. Even if you have never managed a website before, the step-by-step installation process is straightforward and easy to follow. The dashboard gives you a clear overview of all your installed applications, their versions, and available updates.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Access_Softaculous_on_Your_Hosting_Account\"><\/span>How to Access Softaculous on Your Hosting Account<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The method for accessing Softaculous will depend on which control panel your hosting provider uses. The most common scenario involves cPanel, which is widely used across the industry.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Accessing_Softaculous_via_cPanel\"><\/span>Accessing Softaculous via cPanel<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>To access Softaculous through cPanel, follow these steps:<\/p>\n<p>First, log in to your hosting account and navigate to your cPanel dashboard. You can usually do this by visiting yourdomain.com\/cpanel or by logging in through your hosting provider&#8217;s client area. Once inside cPanel, scroll down until you find the <strong>Softaculous Apps Installer<\/strong> section. Click on the Softaculous icon or on any of the featured application icons to launch the installer.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Accessing_Softaculous_via_DirectAdmin\"><\/span>Accessing Softaculous via DirectAdmin<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>If your host uses DirectAdmin, the process is slightly different but equally straightforward. Log in to your DirectAdmin control panel and look for the <strong>Extra Features<\/strong> section. From there, you should see a link to Softaculous. Clicking it will open the Softaculous interface within your browser.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Install_WordPress_Using_Softaculous\"><\/span>How to Install WordPress Using Softaculous<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>WordPress is by far the most popular application installed via Softaculous, so it makes sense to use it as our primary example. The process for installing other applications follows a very similar pattern.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Step_1_Open_the_WordPress_Installer\"><\/span>Step 1: Open the WordPress Installer<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Once inside Softaculous, either search for WordPress using the search bar or find it under the <strong>Blogs<\/strong> or <strong>CMS<\/strong> category. Click on the WordPress icon and then click the <strong>Install<\/strong> button to begin.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Step_2_Configure_Your_Installation_Settings\"><\/span>Step 2: Configure Your Installation Settings<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>You will now be presented with a configuration form. Here, you will need to fill in several details, including the protocol you wish to use (http or https), the domain name on which you want to install WordPress, and the directory in which it should be installed. If you want WordPress to run on your main domain, leave the directory field blank.<\/p>\n<p>Next, scroll down to the <strong>Site Settings<\/strong> section and enter a name and description for your website. Below that, you will find the <strong>Admin Account<\/strong> section, where you should enter a username, password, and email address for your WordPress administrator account. Make sure you choose a strong password to keep your site secure.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Step_3_Choose_Your_Language_and_Plugins\"><\/span>Step 3: Choose Your Language and Plugins<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Softaculous allows you to select the language for your WordPress installation, which is particularly useful if you are building a website in a language other than English. You may also be presented with options to install pre-selected plugins or themes, though you can skip these if you prefer to start with a clean installation.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Step_4_Complete_the_Installation\"><\/span>Step 4: Complete the Installation<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Once you are happy with your settings, scroll down and click the <strong>Install<\/strong> button. Softaculous will take care of everything from this point, creating the necessary database, uploading files, and configuring your WordPress installation. Within a minute or two, you will see a confirmation screen with links to your new website and its admin dashboard.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Managing_Your_Installations_with_Softaculous\"><\/span>Managing Your Installations with Softaculous<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Viewing_and_Updating_Installed_Applications\"><\/span>Viewing and Updating Installed Applications<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>From the Softaculous dashboard, you can view all of your installed applications by clicking on the <strong>All Installations<\/strong> icon. This section shows you the name, version, and URL of each installation. If updates are available, you will see a notification here, and you can apply them with a single click.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Creating_Backups\"><\/span>Creating Backups<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>To create a backup of an installation, navigate to <strong>All Installations<\/strong>, find the application you wish to back up, and click the backup icon. Softaculous will create a compressed archive of your files and database, which you can download or store on your server. This is an excellent habit to get into before making any significant changes to your website.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Cloning_and_Staging\"><\/span>Cloning and Staging<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>One of the more advanced features of Softaculous is the ability to clone an installation. This is particularly useful for creating staging environments where you can test changes before applying them to your live website. Simply click the clone icon next to your installation and specify a new directory or subdomain for the clone.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tips_for_Getting_the_Most_Out_of_Softaculous_Hosting\"><\/span>Tips for Getting the Most Out of Softaculous Hosting<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>To maximise the benefits of Softaculous hosting, keep the following tips in mind. Always keep your installed applications up to date to minimise security risks. Take regular backups, especially before updates or major changes. Use strong, unique passwords for all administrator accounts. Remove any installations you are no longer using, as abandoned software can become a security liability.<\/p>\n<p>For more helpful guides on web hosting and website management, be sure to visit the <a href=\"https:\/\/da-manager.com\/blog\" target=\"_blank\">DA Manager blog<\/a>, where you will find a wealth of resources to help you get the most from your hosting environment.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion\"><\/span>Conclusion<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Softaculous hosting has genuinely transformed the way website owners and developers deploy and manage web applications. By removing the technical barriers associated with manual installations, it has made it possible for virtually anyone to build and maintain a professional website. Whether you are launching your first blog or managing a portfolio of client sites, Softaculous is an indispensable tool that deserves a place in your web hosting toolkit. Take the time to explore its features, and you will quickly discover just how much time and effort it can save you.<\/p>\n<p><\/body><br \/>\n<\/html><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What Is Softaculous and How to Use It | Softaculous Hosting Guide<\/p>\n<p>What Is Softaculous and How to Use It: A Complete Guide to Softaculous Hosting<\/p>\n<p>If you have ever signed up for a web hosting plan and wondered how to install WordPress, Joomla, or any other popular web application without touchin<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mbp_gutenberg_autopost":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[147],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15918","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","category-general"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/da-manager.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15918","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/da-manager.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/da-manager.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/da-manager.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/16"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/da-manager.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15918"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/da-manager.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15918\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/da-manager.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15918"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/da-manager.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15918"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/da-manager.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15918"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}