Softaculous Overview

Softaculous is software that is included with Hostwinds Shared and Business Hosting packages. Softaculous licenses can also be purchased for any Cloud or VPS servers that Hostwinds offers, along with cPanel installed. This allows our client's easy installation of hundreds of scripts and applications with a few simple clicks.

What Is Included?

There are scripts and software you can install for a wide variety of needs for your website, including:

• Blogs
• Micro Blogs
• Content Management Systems
• Forums
• Image Galleries
• Wikis
• Social Networking
• Ad Management
• Calendars
• Gaming
• Mails
• Polls and Analytics
• E-Commerce
• Enterprise Resource Planning
• Guest Books
• Customer Support
• Frameworks
• Educational
• Database Tools
• Music
• Video
• RSS
• File Management

Softaculous handles all installation requirements for the software packages available, including uploading files, installing files, creating new database information, etc. We have a very comprehensive list of the Applications Supported by Softaculous.

To make use of Softaculous on Hostwind's shared services, all you need to do is log in to your cPanel account and scroll towards the bottom of the main cPanel page.

There is an icon in the Software Section to launch this one-click installer.

There is also a section at the bottom of the page labeled as Softaculous Apps Installer, which shows the many categories you can browse or use the quick links to install WordPress with a few clicks or go to a specific category.  There is a quick link to WordPress, as it is one of the most popular site builders on the web at current.

Softaculous Licenses are sold separately for Cloud VPS and Dedicated Servers from cPanel Licenses.

Why Softaculous over Fantastico or Installatron?

Similar software other companies include with their cPanel accounts are called Fantastico and Installatron.  Here at Hostwinds, we choose Softaculous.  We choose Softaculous over both Fantastico and Installatron due to four key reasons:

More Scripts Available

Softaculous offers over 400 scripts and apps; Fantastico only offers around 50, and Installatron only offers around 80

Methods of Installation

Softaculous allows installation of applications using IP or https; Installatron offers installation through the only https, and Fantastico does not allow either installation method.

Importing Applications

Softaculous enables you to import manually installed applications or installed with other software, including software installed with Fantastico or Installatron. At the same time, Installatron offers this as well; Fantastico does not.

Ease of Use

Softaculous is designed with a user-friendly interface, with intuitive design and visuals.