Softaculous is the most widely used auto-installer for web hosting panels. With a single click, users can deploy WordPress, Joomla, Magento, PrestaShop, Drupal, and over 400 other applications — complete with automatic upgrades and backup management. It integrates directly into cPanel as a prominent icon.
Prerequisites
- cPanel/WHM server with root access
- A Softaculous licence (free 30-day trial at softaculous.com; annual plans from ~$27/year)
- PHP CLI available on the server
Step 1 — Install Softaculous via WHM
The easiest method is through WHM's built-in cPanel Store:
- Log in to WHM as root
- Navigate to cPanel Store (left menu)
- Search for Softaculous
- Click Purchase / Install and follow the prompts
Alternatively, install via command line:
wget -N http://files.softaculous.com/install.sh
chmod 755 install.sh
./install.shThe installer registers Softaculous as a cPanel plugin and creates the WHM interface. This takes about 2 minutes.
Step 2 — Add Your Licence Key
After installation, go to WHM > Softaculous > Enduser Panel and enter your licence key. Without a valid key, Softaculous runs in trial mode (full-featured for 30 days).
Step 3 — Verify It Appears in cPanel
Log into any cPanel account. You should see a Softaculous Apps Installer icon in the Software section. Click it to confirm the installer loads correctly.
Step 4 — Configure Admin Settings in WHM
In WHM > Softaculous > Admin Panel, configure:
- Auto Upgrade: Enable automatic background upgrades for installed apps
- Backup before upgrade: Always enable this
- Directory: Default installation directory (leave as
public_htmlor a subfolder) - Disable scripts: Optionally hide apps you don't want users installing (e.g. legacy apps)
Step 5 — Install WordPress for a User (Admin Quick Install)
As root in WHM, go to Softaculous > WordPress, click Install, choose the cPanel account and domain, fill in admin credentials, and click Install. WordPress is live in under 60 seconds.
Keeping Softaculous Updated
# Update Softaculous itself
/usr/local/cpanel/scripts/realperlinstaller Softaculous
# Update all app definitions (scripts)
/usr/local/softaculous/soft updateConclusion
Softaculous is a near-essential add-on for any shared or reseller hosting server. It eliminates the most common support request — "how do I install WordPress?" — and gives users the confidence to self-manage their applications. The auto-upgrade feature also reduces the number of compromised sites running outdated CMS versions.