If you’re running a hosting server, Softaculous is one of those tools your clients use constantly — often without even realizing how much value it’s adding to their experience. It’s the one-click installer that lets anyone deploy WordPress, Joomla, or hundreds of other applications in seconds. And yet a lot of hosting providers either pay too much for it or skip it entirely, not realizing how affordable it can be.
In this article we break down what Softaculous actually does, what it costs officially, and exactly why Tremhost is the smartest place to get it either standalone or completely free as part of a bundle.
What Is Softaculous?
Softaculous is a one-click application installer built for web hosting control panels like cPanel and Plesk. Instead of clients needing to manually download, upload, configure, and install web applications, Softaculous lets them deploy fully working applications in just a few clicks.
It’s one of the most visible, most frequently used tools your hosting clients interact with and it’s a major factor in client satisfaction, especially for less technical users.
What Can Clients Install With Softaculous?
Softaculous supports installation of over 400 applications, including:
Content Management Systems
- WordPress
- Joomla
- Drupal
- Magento
- PrestaShop
Forums and Community Platforms
- phpBB
- MyBB
- Vanilla Forums
E-Learning Platforms
- Moodle
- LMS solutions
Wiki and Documentation Tools
- MediaWiki
- DokuWiki
Customer Relationship Management
- SuiteCRM
- vTiger
E-commerce Platforms
- Magento
- PrestaShop
- OpenCart
And Hundreds More
From project management tools to image galleries to social networking platforms Softaculous covers virtually every category of web application your clients might want to run.
Why Softaculous Matters for Your Hosting Business
It’s the First Thing Most Clients Use
The vast majority of hosting clients sign up specifically to run WordPress or another CMS. Softaculous is often the very first tool a new client interacts with after logging into cPanel for the first time. A smooth, fast installation experience creates a strong first impression of your hosting service.
It Reduces Support Tickets
Without a one-click installer, clients who don’t know how to manually install WordPress would need to contact your support team for help. Softaculous eliminates this entirely — clients install applications themselves in minutes, reducing your support workload significantly.
Automatic Backups Before Updates
Softaculous automatically creates a backup before running application updates protecting clients from update-related issues and giving them an easy rollback option if something goes wrong.
One-Click Updates
Beyond installation, Softaculous also handles application updates with a single click keeping WordPress, Joomla, and other installations current with the latest security patches without requiring technical knowledge from your clients.
Demo Mode
Clients can preview how an application looks and works before committing to installation useful for clients deciding between different CMS platforms or themes.
Script Library Marketing Value
Being able to tell prospective clients “instant WordPress installs with Softaculous” or “400+ one-click app installs” is a genuine selling point you can use in your hosting plan marketing.
What Does Softaculous Cost Officially?
Official Softaculous licensing for cPanel/Plesk servers typically runs around $3–4/month when billed monthly, or discounted annual pricing in the range of $25–30/year depending on current promotions and your server type.
While Softaculous isn’t the most expensive item in your licensing stack compared to cPanel or LiteSpeed, it’s still a recurring cost that adds up — and Tremhost makes it essentially free in the right setup.
Softaculous License Price at Tremhost — $17/Year
Tremhost offers a standalone Softaculous license for $17/year — already a strong price point for a full year of one-click app installation capability.
Tremhost Softaculous License — $17/year includes:
- ✅ Latest Version of Softaculous
- ✅ Instant Activation
- ✅ Official Softaculous Upgrades
- ✅ 24/7 Support
- ✅ Change IP from Client Area
- ✅ Free Installation
That works out to roughly $1.42/month for the full Softaculous experience — 400+ one-click application installs, automatic backups before updates, and one-click updates.
The Smarter Way to Get Softaculous — Completely Free in the Bundle
Here’s the best part. If you’re already getting Tremhost’s VPS License Bundle or cPanel VPS License, Softaculous is included completely free — no additional cost at all.
Tremhost cPanel VPS License — $5/month includes Softaculous free:
- ✅ Unlimited cPanel Accounts
- ✅ Free Softaculous
- ✅ Free SitePad
- ✅ Free FleetSSL
Tremhost VPS License Bundle — $15/month includes Softaculous free:
- ✅ cPanel
- ✅ CloudLinux
- ✅ LiteSpeed
- ✅ Imunify360
- ✅ JetBackup
- ✅ Softaculous
- ✅ SitePad
- ✅ FleetSSL
- ✅ WHMReseller
If you’re buying any of Tremhost’s cPanel licenses or bundles, there’s no reason to pay separately for Softaculous at all — it’s already included at zero additional cost.
Softaculous License Price Comparison
| Option | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Official Softaculous | ~$3–4/month | Standalone license, billed monthly |
| Tremhost Standalone | $17/year (~$1.42/month) | Cheaper than official, still standalone |
| Tremhost cPanel License | $5/month | Softaculous included free |
| Tremhost VPS Bundle | $15/month | Softaculous + 8 other licenses included free |
The smartest move for almost every hosting provider is simple — get Softaculous as part of your cPanel license or bundle, and pay nothing extra for it.
Who Needs Softaculous?
🏢 Shared Hosting Providers
If your clients run WordPress, Joomla, or any common web application, Softaculous is a baseline expectation in 2026. Hosting providers without a one-click installer feel outdated by comparison.
🔄 Hosting Resellers
Resellers marketing to less technical clients especially benefit from Softaculous — it removes the technical barrier to entry for clients who want to launch a website but don’t know how to install software manually.
💻 WordPress-Focused Hosting Providers
If WordPress hosting is your core offering, Softaculous combined with LiteSpeed’s LSCache plugin gives you a fast, frictionless WordPress deployment and performance experience that’s genuinely competitive.
🚀 New Hosting Businesses
Softaculous is one of those features that clients expect by default. Including it from day one — at no extra cost through Tremhost’s cPanel license — means you’re never explaining why you don’t have it.
How to Get Softaculous From Tremhost
If you already have a cPanel license or bundle from Tremhost:
Softaculous is already included. No action needed — it’s active on your server.
If you need Softaculous standalone:
- Visit Tremhost and navigate to the licenses section
- Select the Softaculous License — $17/year
- Enter your server IP address at checkout
- Complete your purchase — activation is instant
- Install Softaculous — free installation support included
Frequently Asked Questions About Softaculous Licenses
Is Softaculous included with Tremhost’s cPanel license?
Yes. Every Tremhost cPanel VPS and Dedicated license includes Softaculous for free, along with SitePad and FleetSSL.
Do I need a separate Softaculous license if I have the VPS bundle?
No. Softaculous is included in Tremhost’s VPS and Dedicated License Bundles at no additional cost.
How many applications does Softaculous support?
Over 400 applications including WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, Magento, and many more across multiple categories.
Does Softaculous work with Plesk too?
Yes. Softaculous supports both cPanel and Plesk environments.
Is free installation included with the standalone license?
Yes. Free installation support is included with the Tremhost Softaculous license.
The Verdict — Best Way to Get Softaculous in 2026
If you’re buying any cPanel license or bundle from Tremhost, Softaculous comes completely free making the standalone $17/year license unnecessary for most hosting providers. If you specifically need Softaculous on its own, Tremhost’s $17/year price still beats official monthly pricing significantly.
Either way, there’s no reason to overpay for one-click app installation in 2026.
Get Softaculous From Tremhost Today
👉 Get cPanel VPS License (Softaculous Included Free) — $5/month at Tremhost
👉 Get Full VPS License Bundle (Softaculous Included Free) — from $15/month at Tremhost
