A name like Softaculous doesn’t immediately ring a bell for most webmasters. However, it remains one of the most prolific web development or management tools out there.
What Is Softaculous?
Softaculous is an auto-installer solution that facilitates the seamless installation of open-source applications to a website. One such application is WordPress (more details on this later).
It’s compatible with several hosting control panels such as Plesk, cPanel, H-Sphere, and DirectAdmin. But alternatively, it can also be used through a customized web hosting panel.
Softaculous’ user-friendly interface allows web admins (even those with little or no technical skills) to choose and install any of the 300+ scripts available on the platform.
Also, it comes with many helpful features that make your job as a web host or admin easier. If we had to choose, we’d probably go with the one-click functionality as our favorite feature. But of course, there are several other helpful tools offered as part of the service, and any of them could easily rank as our top choice.
Features of Softaculous
Wide-Range of Supported Apps
Softaculous supports a greater number of applications than other script management service providers. At the last count, the platform supports 382 apps, including Magento, PrestaShop, WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, and many more.
In comparison, Fantastico offers support for only 67 scripts. This undoubtedly remains one of the most significant selling points of Softaculous.
Frequent Updates
By default, Softaculous has a dedicated team that scans for updates from time to time (usually every day). Any upgrade found will be made available to the user within 24 hours.
Also, beginning from the 4.2.1 version, you can get auto-updates for some applications, provided you activate the function.
The supported scripts include WordPress, ownCloud, phpMyAdmin, Adminer, Chive, etc.
One-Click Functionality
Now to our favorite feature. Thanks to its one-click functionality, Installing scripts/applications through Softaculous is no harder than surfing the internet. The whole process has been simplified so much that all you’ll need is a few clicks and a couple of minutes to complete any script installation, including WordPress.
Backup and Restore
Essentially, Softaculous also allows you to backup and restore your installations or website. Backup files can be stored in any of the supported storage platforms, including Google Drive, Dropbox, and FTP/FTPS/SFTP.
The platform also supports auto backup, which means you can schedule the backup to occur at specific intervals depending on your preference.
Plus, you also wouldn’t need more than a single click of a button to restore your backup.
Bulk and Remote Installation
Another upside of Softaculous is that it allows users to import installations that were performed either manually or on other auto-installers. All that will be required from you is to input the login information of the source server. Once that’s done, the system automatically imports the installation together with the files and database.
Clone Installations
With Softaculous, you don’t have to create new installations every other day because there’s a clone feature that allows you to recreate new installations from existing ones, and again, it only requires one click.
Control Panel Integrations
As mentioned earlier, Softaculous can be integrated into a wide range of popular control panels ( Directadmin, Plesk, ISPmanager, VestaCP, etc.). Support for custom/proprietary panels is also provided.
Customizable
Softaculous includes a function that allows you to work in a more personalized digital environment.
Web hosts can literally redesign their dashboard to look exactly how they want by changing the logo, brand name, and other elements.
Summary
Softaculous is an all-in-one web-based utility that allows you to install all the necessary scripts/applications for your website.
The Softaculous script management dashboard supports many applications and automates several processes. But more importantly, you don’t need to be a tech wizard to fully utilize these functions.