Softaculous

Softaculous is a proprietary auto-installer and script library designed for web hosting environments. It simplifies the deployment of web applications by providing one-click installations from a central catalog of scripts. The Softaculous Apps Marketplace is integrated into popular control panels such as cPanel/WHM, Plesk, DirectAdmin, and others, enabling hosting providers to offer self-service app installation to customers.

Key features include one-click installations, automatic updates for installed scripts, automatic backups and restoration options, and tools for cloning and migrating websites between accounts. The library contains hundreds of scripts spanning content management systems (WordPress, Joomla, Drupal), ecommerce platforms (WooCommerce, PrestaShop, Magento), forums, wikis, calendars, galleries, and more. It supports multiple languages and is designed to work within common Linux hosting environments.

Licensing and availability: Softaculous is a commercial product with licenses typically sold to hosting providers who integrate it into their control panels; hosts may offer Softaculous as part of a bundled package or reseller program.

Impact and usage: It is widely used by hosting providers to streamline application deployment and standardize workflows. It competes with other auto-installers such as Fantastico, Installatron, and SimpleScripts.

Security and maintenance: While Softaculous can automate updates, maintaining security also relies on timely patching of individual applications and proper server hardening by administrators.