Flash Sale:75% Off Hosting + Free DomainEnds in13h47m14sView Plans
Hostvento logoHostvento
Get Started

Install Softaculous on a Linux Dedicated Server with cPanel

This guide shows how to add Softaculous to your own dedicated server that runs cPanel. It needs root access, so it is for dedicated server and VPS owners only.

Softaculous2 min read9 steps1 screenshots

What is Softaculous?

Softaculous is a tool that installs website apps for you. Think of it as an app store for your website. You click a button and it sets up WordPress, Joomla and many other apps. Without it, you would copy files and build a database by hand.

Root is the main administrator account on a Linux server. It can change anything. Be careful when you use it.

Softaculous is a paid product from its makers, and it needs a licence. Your server must have a valid licence for the server's IP address. An IP address is the number that identifies your server on the internet. Ask Hostvento support whether a licence is included with your server.

Before you start

  • You need root access to the server.
  • cPanel and WHM must already be installed and working. WHM is the admin side of cPanel.
  • Take a backup of your server first. Installing software can go wrong.

Steps

  1. Log in to your server with SSH as root. SSH is a safe way to type commands on a server from your own computer.
  2. Move to a temporary folder: 
    cd /root
    This puts you in the root user's home folder.
  3. Download the Softaculous installer. Use the exact address shown in the official Softaculous guide for your licence: 
    wget -N https://files.softaculous.com/install.sh
    This saves the installer script on your server.
  4. Make the script runnable: 
    chmod 755 install.sh
    This lets the server run the file.
    softaculous management
  5. Run the installer: 
    ./install.sh
    The script downloads Softaculous and sets it up. Wait until it says it has finished.
  6. Log in to WHM as root.
  7. Search for Softaculous in the left menu. Open Softaculous - Enduser Panel or the admin panel to check it loads.
  8. Open Softaculous - Admin Panel and check the licence status. It should show as active.
  9. Log in to a cPanel account and look for Softaculous Apps Installer or the Softaculous icon. If you see it, the install worked.
Tip: If the script says your licence is not valid, the licence is probably not tied to your server's IP address. Ask Hostvento support for help.

Quick recap

  • Softaculous is an app installer for your websites.
  • You need root access, cPanel and a valid licence.
  • Back up first, then download and run the installer script.
  • Check WHM and cPanel to confirm Softaculous appears.
  • Ask Hostvento support if the licence or install fails.