How to Use Softaculous to Install Apps with One Click

Introduction

Softaculous is the automatic application installer included in cPanel. It lets you install more than 400 web applications (WordPress, Joomla, PrestaShop, Drupal, Moodle and many more) in a couple of clicks, without touching code or databases manually.

If you’ve ever seen how long it takes to install WordPress manually, Softaculous turns it into a two-minute process. In this article you’ll see how to use it.

What Softaculous is and what it’s for

Softaculous is an application library integrated into cPanel. Its job is to automate all the boring parts of installing a website:

• Creating the database.
• Uploading files.
• Configuring the connection file.
• Creating the administrator user.

Softaculous does all that for you. You just choose the app, fill in some details and click install.

[Imagen sugerida: screenshot of the Softaculous application catalog]

At miHosting, Softaculous is included in all plans with cPanel. You don’t have to pay or configure anything: you already have it available.

Which applications you can install

Softaculous has more than 400 applications, grouped by categories:

Category	Popular apps
Blogs	WordPress, Ghost, Serendipity
Portals and CMS	Joomla, Drupal, MODX
Online stores	PrestaShop, Magento, OpenCart, osCommerce
Forums	phpBB, MyBB, XenForo
E-learning	Moodle, Claroline
Wikis	MediaWiki, DokuWiki
Galleries	Gallery, Coppermine
Email marketing	phpList
Analytics	Matomo (Piwik)
CRM and management	SuiteCRM, Vtiger

For most users, the most used are WordPress (for blogs and websites), PrestaShop and WooCommerce (stores), and Joomla or Drupal (portals).

How to install an application with Softaculous

Step 1: Access Softaculous from cPanel

1. Log in to your cPanel.
2. Find the Softaculous Apps Installer section (usually at the bottom).
3. Click the icon, or directly on the icon of the app you want to install.

[Imagen sugerida: screenshot of the Softaculous section in cPanel]

Step 2: Choose the application

1. You’ll see a catalog with all available apps.
2. You can use the search to find a specific one.
3. Click the application you want to install.

Step 3: Configure the installation

After choosing the app, you’ll see a screen with installation details. The most important fields:

Field	What to enter
Choose Protocol	https:// (if you have SSL, which is free at miHosting)
Choose Domain	The domain where you want to install the app
In Directory	Empty if you want it in the root, or a folder like blog
Site Name	Your website’s name
Site Description	A short description
Admin Username	Your administrator username (avoid “admin”)
Admin Password	A strong password
Admin Email	Your email

Softaculous gives you the option to configure advanced options: language, plugins, email notifications. To start, the basic fields are enough.

Step 4: Install

1. Review the details.
2. Click Install.
3. In a minute or two, Softaculous finishes and shows you:
   • Your website’s URL.
   • The admin panel URL.
   • Your credentials.

[Imagen sugerida: screenshot of the Softaculous final installation screen]

Write down the admin panel URL and your credentials carefully. You’ll need them to manage your new website.

What Softaculous does for you automatically

When you install with Softaculous, you don’t have to worry about:

• Creating the database: it creates and links it.
• Uploading files: it uploads them for you.
• Configuring permissions: it sets them correctly.
• Creating the administrator user: it creates it with the details you gave.
• Generating SSL certificate: if your domain already has SSL, it detects it.

Other useful Softaculous features

Automatic updates

Softaculous can update your applications automatically when a new version is released. You configure it during installation or later:

1. Go to Softaculous → All Installations.
2. Click the pencil icon (edit) on your installation.
3. In Auto Upgrade, choose:
   • Upgrade to Latest Version (A): updates everything automatically.
   • Auto Upgrade (Minor): only minor updates (safer).
   • No Upgrade (V): doesn’t update (you do it manually).

Recommendation: enable automatic minor version updates. This way you get security patches without risk of breaking anything.

Backups before updating

Softaculous can make a backup before each update. If something goes wrong, you restore in one click.

Clone an installation

If you want to copy a website from one domain to another, or from production to testing, Softaculous has a Clone function that does it in seconds.

Import an existing installation

If you already have an app installed manually (without Softaculous), you can import it so Softaculous manages it from then on.

Useful tips

• Choose the directory well. If you leave “In Directory” empty, the app installs in the domain root. If you put blog, it installs at yourdomain.com/blog.
• Use HTTPS. If you have SSL (free at miHosting), choose https:// from the start. Avoids problems later.
• Avoid the “admin” username. Many attacks try with that username. Use a different one.
• Enable automatic updates. It’s the easiest way to keep your website secure.
• Back up before updating. Even though Softaculous can do it automatically, confirm it’s active.

Common problems

Installation fails due to lack of resources

Check that your hosting plan meets the app’s requirements. Some apps (like Magento) need more memory than others.

I can’t find Softaculous in cPanel

If your plan doesn’t include it, write to us. At miHosting, all plans with cPanel have it enabled. If you don’t see it, it may be a cPanel visual theme issue; search with the top search bar.

After installing, the website shows a blank page

It may be that the domain’s DNS propagation hasn’t finished, or that SSL isn’t active yet. Wait a bit and try again.

Softaculous doesn’t update my app

Check that installation’s Auto Upgrade configuration. If it’s set to “No Upgrade”, you’ll have to update manually.

I forgot the administrator password

Most apps have a “Forgot your password?” link on the login screen. If not, you can see the credentials in Softaculous → All Installations.

Frequently asked questions

Is Softaculous free?

At miHosting, yes, it’s included in all plans with cPanel at no additional cost. There’s a premium Softaculous version with more apps, but the free version includes the most important ones.

Can I install several apps on the same domain?

Yes, each in a different folder. For example: WordPress in the root and a store at yourdomain.com/store.

Are apps installed with Softaculous mine?

Yes. The applications are yours and you manage them. Softaculous only automates installation.

Can I uninstall an app with Softaculous?

Yes. Go to Softaculous → All Installations → Remove. It asks if you also want to delete the database and files.

Do I need to know programming to use Softaculous?

No. That’s exactly what it’s for: installing apps without touching code.

Install apps in seconds with Softaculous

Softaculous turns web application installation into something trivial: two clicks and you have WordPress, PrestaShop, Joomla or any of the 400 available apps ready to go. No databases to create manually, no files to upload, no permissions to configure.

If you have a cPanel hosting plan at miHosting, you already have Softaculous available. Open a ticket from your client panel if you need help installing your first application.