Knowledge Base

What is Softaculous and What Does it Do?

Softaculous is an application developed for web hosting control panels (cPanel, Plesk, DirectAdmin, etc.) that provides one-click script installation. It allows website owners or developers to easily install and manage popular web applications such as WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, phpBB, and hundreds of different scripts without needing technical knowledge. Basically, it aims to save time and effort by automating the installation processes.

Key Functions of Softaculous:

• One-Click Installation: The ability to install various web applications with a single click.
• Automatic Updates: The ability to automatically track and update the latest versions of installed applications.
• Backup and Restore: The ability to back up installed applications and restore them when needed.
• Demo Option: The ability to review demos of applications before installing them.
• Script Management: The ability to easily manage, remove, and configure installed scripts.

Example Scenario: Let's say you want to start a blog and have decided to use WordPress. Thanks to Softaculous, instead of dealing with complex steps such as manually uploading WordPress files to your server, creating a database, and editing configuration files, you can install WordPress with just a few clicks. Softaculous automatically performs all these steps for you.

Which Applications Does Softaculous Support?

Softaculous supports a very wide range of applications. These applications include the most popular content management systems (CMS), e-commerce platforms, forum software, blog platforms, gallery scripts, social networking scripts, and many other different categories.

Popular Application Categories and Examples:

• CMS (Content Management Systems): WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, MODX, Mambo
• E-Commerce: OpenCart, PrestaShop, Magento, WooCommerce
• Forums: phpBB, MyBB, SMF
• Blogs: WordPress, b2evolution
• Galleries: Gallery, Piwigo
• Social Networks: Dolphin, Oxwall
• Wiki: MediaWiki, DokuWiki

Table: Comparison of Popular CMS Platforms

This table helps you compare the features of different CMS platforms. You can consider these factors when deciding which platform is more suitable for you.

How to Install and Use Softaculous?

Softaculous usually comes integrated into your control panel by your hosting provider. If you see the Softaculous icon in your control panel, you do not need to install anything. However, in some cases, manual installation may be required. In this case, you should follow the instructions of your hosting provider.

Softaculous Usage Steps:

1. Control Panel Login: Log in to the control panel of your hosting account (cPanel, Plesk, etc.) with your username and password.
2. Finding Softaculous: Find and click the Softaculous icon in the control panel. It is usually located in the "Software" or "Scripts" section.
3. Application Selection: Select the application you want to install from the list or find it using the search bar.
4. Installation Settings: You will be redirected to the application installation page. Here, configure settings such as the installation directory (e.g., `public_html/blog`), database name, administrator username, and password.
5. Starting the Installation: After configuring all the settings, click the "Install" button. Softaculous will automatically perform the installation process.
6. Installation Completion: After the installation is complete, the access information to the application's admin panel will be displayed to you. Keep this information in a safe place.

Important Note: Before installing, make sure that your hosting account has sufficient disk space and database resources. Also, make sure you choose the correct installation directory. Choosing the wrong directory may cause your website to not work.

How to Perform Automatic Updates with Softaculous?

Softaculous offers the ability to automatically track and update the latest versions of the applications you have installed. This feature is important for maintaining the security and performance of your website. Updates usually close security vulnerabilities, add new features, and improve performance.

Automatic Update Settings:

• Introduction to Softaculous: Log in to Softaculous from your control panel.
• Viewing Installations: Go to the "Installations" section. Here, you will see a list of all the applications you have installed with Softaculous.
• Configuring Update Settings: Next to each application, there is an option to configure automatic update settings. Click on this option.
• Automatic Update Options: There are usually three different automatic update options:
  • No Automatic Updates: The application is never updated automatically.
  • Automatically Apply Minor Updates: Only minor version updates (e.g., from 5.1 to 5.2) are applied automatically.
  • Automatically Apply All Updates: All version updates (both minor and major) are applied automatically.
• Saving Settings: Select the option that suits your needs and save the settings.

Important Note: Automatic updates can cause problems with your website's operation. Especially major version updates can lead to theme or plugin incompatibilities. Therefore, it is important to configure automatic updates carefully and test your website after updates.

How to Backup and Restore with Softaculous?

Softaculous offers the ability to back up and restore the applications you have installed when needed. This feature is important to prevent data loss and protect your website from disasters. Regularly backing up allows you to quickly restore your website in case of a problem (e.g., hacking, server failure, accidental data deletion).

Backup Steps:

1. Introduction to Softaculous: Log in to Softaculous from your control panel.
2. Viewing Installations: Go to the "Installations" section.
3. Finding the Backup Option: Next to the application you want to back up, find and click the "Backup" option.
4. Configuring Backup Settings: On the backup page, you can configure settings such as backup note (optional) and backup directory.
5. Starting the Backup: Click the "Backup" button. Softaculous will automatically perform the backup process.
6. Downloading the Backup: After the backup is complete, you can download the backup file to your computer. This allows you to keep a secure copy of your backup.

Restore Steps:

1. Accessing Softaculous: Log in to Softaculous from your control panel.
2. Viewing Backups: Go to the "Backups" section. Here, you will see a list of all the backups you have taken.
3. Finding the Restore Option: Next to the backup you want to restore, find and click the "Restore" option.
4. Configuring Restore Settings: On the restore page, you can configure settings such as the restore directory.
5. Starting the Restore: Click the "Restore" button. Softaculous will automatically perform the restore process.

Important Notes:

• Make your backups regularly.
• Store your backup files in a safe place.
• Before restoring, make sure you have a backup of your website. This allows you to restore your website to its previous state if a problem occurs during the restore.

WordPress Installation and Management with Softaculous

WordPress is one of the most popular content management systems today, and its installation with Softaculous is quite simple. Softaculous automates the WordPress installation, allowing users to easily create a WordPress site without dealing with technical details.

WordPress Installation Steps:

1. Accessing Softaculous: Log in to Softaculous from your control panel.
2. Finding WordPress: Find WordPress on the Softaculous homepage or in the "CMS" category and click on it.
3. Configuring Installation Settings:
   • Software Setup:
     • Protocol: Select `https://` (if you have an SSL certificate) or `http://`.
     • Domain: Select the domain name you want to install WordPress on.
     • Directory: Specify the directory where WordPress will be installed. Leave this field blank to install in the main directory.
   • Site Settings:
     • Site Name: Enter the name of your website.
     • Site Description: Enter a brief description of your website.
   • Admin Account:
     • Admin Username: Enter the username you will use to log in to the WordPress admin panel.
     • Admin Password: Choose a strong password.
     • Admin Email: Enter your admin email address.
   • Language Selection: Select the language of WordPress.
4. Starting the Installation: After configuring all the settings, click the "Install" button.
5. Completing the Installation: After the installation is complete, the access information to the WordPress admin panel will be displayed to you.

WordPress Management:

After Softaculous installs WordPress, it also helps you manage your WordPress installation. In the "Installations" section, you can view, update, back up, and restore your WordPress installation.

Example Code: WordPress Database Connection Information (wp-config.php)

<?php
/** The name of the database for WordPress */
define( 'DB_NAME', 'database_name' );

/** MySQL database username */
define( 'DB_USER', 'username' );

/** MySQL database password */
define( 'DB_PASSWORD', 'password' );

/** MySQL hostname */
define( 'DB_HOST', 'localhost' );

/** Database Charset to use in creating database tables. */
define( 'DB_CHARSET', 'utf8mb4' );

/** The Database Collate type. Don't change this if in doubt. */
define( 'DB_COLLATE', '' );

This code contains the information that WordPress uses to connect to the database. Softaculous configures this information automatically, but you can also manually edit this file if needed.

Softaculous Licensing and Pricing

Softaculous is a paid application, and the licensing model is per-server licensing. This means that you need to purchase a separate license for each server you want to use Softaculous on. License prices vary depending on the duration of the license (monthly, annual, or lifetime) and its features.

Licensing Options:

• Monthly License: You can use Softaculous by making regular monthly payments.
• Annual License: You can use Softaculous for one year by paying the annual license fee. Annual licenses are generally more economical than monthly licenses.
• Lifetime License: You can use Softaculous for life by making a one-time payment.

Factors Affecting License Prices:

• License Duration: The duration of the license (monthly, annual, lifetime) affects the price.
• Supported Control Panels: Some licenses only support specific control panels (cPanel, Plesk, etc.), while others support more control panels.
• Additional Features: Some licenses may offer additional features (e.g., premium support, custom scripts).

Table: Softaculous Licensing Options and Prices (Example)

Important Note: License prices and features are published on the official Softaculous website. It is recommended to visit the Softaculous website for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

Case Study: A web design agency decides to use Softaculous to offer its customers fast and easy website installation. By purchasing an annual license, they activate Softaculous on all their servers. In this way, they increase customer satisfaction and save time in installation processes by offering their customers the opportunity to install popular CMS platforms such as WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal with a single click.