What is Softaculous
Softaculous is an automatic application installer that allows you to install WordPress, Joomla, PrestaShop, phpBB, and more than 380 other applications on DirectAdmin with just a few clicks. No coding required, no FTP knowledge needed, no database configuration — simply select the app you want and Softaculous handles the entire setup automatically.
AsiaGB includes Softaculous Full Version free with all hosting plans. There are no limitations, no installation count restrictions. You can install a few apps or even 10, 20+ applications on a single domain (as long as disk space allows).
Why Use Softaculous
No Manual Installation Needed: Installing WordPress, Joomla, or Drupal manually requires downloading files, uploading via FTP, creating a database, editing configuration files — all time-consuming and error-prone. Softaculous does all of this automatically. You only need to choose a domain and a few basic settings.
Key benefits of Softaculous:
- One-Click Installation: Install any app in 1-3 minutes without writing code.
- 380+ Applications: WordPress, Joomla, PrestaShop, Drupal, Magento, OpenCart, phpBB, MediaWiki, Nextcloud, ownCloud, LAMP Stacks, and many more.
- Auto-Updates: Softaculous automatically updates WordPress, Plugins, Themes, and databases daily.
- Daily Backup: Automatic daily backups of your apps, kept for 30 days with download capability.
- Cloud Backup Integration: Send backups to Google Drive, Dropbox, or FTP automatically.
- Staging/Clone: Create a copy of your site to test updates before going live.
- WordPress Manager: Change passwords, admin email, remove default plugins without logging in.
Popular Apps Supported by Softaculous
| Category | Example Apps | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| CMS (Website) | WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, Ghost, Wix Clone | Build beautiful websites to promote your business |
| E-Commerce (Online Store) | Magento, OpenCart, WooCommerce, PrestaShop | Create an online shop to sell products |
| Blog Platform | WordPress, Medium Clone, Ghost | Write and publish blog posts |
| Community Forum | phpBB, Discourse, Vanilla Forums | Build a community for Q&A and discussions |
| Knowledge Base | MediaWiki, Confluence Clone, BookStack | Store documentation and user guides |
| Cloud Storage | Nextcloud, ownCloud, Seafile | Build your own Google Drive alternative |
| Booking System | Appointment, Calendly Clone, Booking.com Clone | Allow customers to book consultations and services |
| Project Management | OpenProject, Plane, Taiga | Plan projects and track tasks |
How to Install Softaculous Apps on AsiaGB
Step 1: Log in to your DirectAdmin Control Panel (via billing.in.th/whmcs/clientarea > Services > Your Domain > DirectAdmin login, or use your server hostname like vps*.asiagb.com:2222)
- Access DirectAdmin: Use the username and password from your welcome email
- Find Softaculous: Look for "Softaculous" in the DirectAdmin dashboard (usually under "Advanced Features")
- Select an App: Click on WordPress, Joomla, PrestaShop, or any other app you need
- Fill in Details:
- Domain/Subdomain (e.g., www.example.com or shop.example.com)
- Directory (leave blank for root, or choose /blog, /shop, etc.)
- Admin Username and Password (for WordPress, we recommend changing the default "admin")
- Admin Email
- Website Title
- Click "Install": Softaculous installs the app automatically (usually completes in 1-3 minutes)
- Access Your Site: Once complete, navigate to your domain — your site is ready to use
Automatic App Updates with Softaculous
One of Softaculous' best features is Auto-Update, which takes care of your apps automatically:
Auto-Upgrade: Softaculous checks for new versions of WordPress, Plugins, Themes, and other CMS applications daily, and upgrades them automatically (supporting both minor and major version updates).
Benefits:
- Security: Security patches are applied immediately without waiting for you to remember
- Performance: New features and bug fixes make your site run faster
- Hands-Free: No need to log in to WordPress Dashboard weekly to check for updates
- Safe Backups: Softaculous backs up your data before each upgrade, so you can rollback if needed
Softaculous Backup — Protect Your Data
Softaculous includes backup features comparable to expensive backup services:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Daily Backup | Automatic daily backup of WordPress, database, and files. Stored for 30 days. |
| Weekly/Monthly | Choose specific days for additional backups (e.g., backup every Monday) |
| Google Drive Integration | Automatically send backups to Google Drive (requires permission) |
| Dropbox Integration | Automatically send backups to Dropbox |
| FTP Backup | Send backups to another FTP server for additional protection |
| Manual Restore | Download backups and restore manually when needed |
To use Softaculous backups:
- Go to Softaculous > Select your installed app > "Backup"
- Choose a date to restore
- Click "Restore" — your site returns to that point in time
Staging & Clone — Test Before Going Live
Staging URL: Softaculous creates a copy of your website on a staging domain (like staging.example.com) where you can test new plugins, themes, and updates before making them live.
Steps:
- Softaculous > Select your installed app > "Clone" or "Staging"
- Softaculous creates a copy at staging.example.com
- Freely test plugins, themes, and updates here
- If everything works → sync or push updates to your live site
- If something breaks → delete the staging or rollback to the previous version
WordPress Manager — Manage WordPress Beyond Softaculous
For WordPress sites, Softaculous includes a WordPress Manager with additional tools:
- Change Admin Password: Forgot your password? Change it instantly from Softaculous.
- Update Admin Email: Modify your WordPress account's email address.
- Remove Default Plugins: Delete Hello Dolly, Akismet, and other unused plugins quickly.
- AI WordPress Onboarding: Get AI-powered recommendations for WordPress setup (latest version).
- Plugin/Theme Bundles: Install popular plugins (SEO, Backup, Security) and themes as bundles in one go.
Softaculous Supports 15+ Languages
Softaculous is available in 15+ languages including Thai, making it easy to use even if you're not fluent in English.
Supported languages: English, Thai, Español, Français, Português, Deutsch, 日本語, 中文, Arabic, Polish, Turkish, Russian, Indonesian, and more.
Softaculous on AsiaGB Has No Extra Costs
100% Free: Softaculous Full Version (not Lite) is included with every AsiaGB hosting plan. No additional charges. No installation limits.
Comparison with other hosting providers:
- AsiaGB: Softaculous Full Version included free ✅
- Other providers (SiteGround, Bluehost): Some plans include only Softaculous Lite or a limited installer without full features
- Some don't offer it: They use their own One-Click Installer (inconsistent and less powerful)
Control Panels That Support Softaculous
Softaculous isn't just for DirectAdmin. It supports popular control panels worldwide:
- DirectAdmin (used by AsiaGB)
- Webuzo (Standalone version for Resellers and VPS)
- cPanel (used by other hosting providers)
- Plesk (Windows/Linux control panel)
- Interworx
- ISPmanager
AsiaGB customers get access to Softaculous directly through the DirectAdmin Control Panel menu without any extra configuration.
Smart Tips: How to Use Softaculous Wisely
- Use Staging Before Upgrading: Don't worry about breaking your WordPress site — test updates in staging first.
- Enable Auto-Updates: Set "Auto-Upgrade" to Daily for maximum security.
- Send Backups to the Cloud: Set up Google Drive or Dropbox backup — if the server has issues, you still have your data offsite.
- Delete Unused Apps: If you installed something for testing and don't need it, delete it to save disk space and reduce security risks.
- Check Logs: In Softaculous > Logs, verify that upgrades completed successfully and check for any errors.
Install Softaculous Free with AsiaGB Hosting
Softaculous Full Version is included with every AsiaGB hosting plan, starting from just $15/year (฿500). Install unlimited apps, automatic daily updates, automatic daily backups — with no additional fees.
View AsiaGB Hosting Plans