The Difference Between Softaculous and Fantastico
What Sets Them Apart?
Listing key differences between the two
Updated: January 18, 2022
By: RSH Web Editorial Staff
Both offer a one-click and auto installation platform that integrates with website control panels like Plesk, ISPmanager, DirectAdmin and cPanel. These "Auto Install" programs are used by more developers than any other on the market today. Providing a multitude of scripts. Some free and some paid
As we look at both of these popular script installers, the User Interface can be a time saver as well as a deciding factor. Softaculous is known for a better user interface than Fantastico, but they both provide very good options for the end user
This should not make a difference in the decision you make unless you need those extra scripts for your project. Look at what you need compared to what each offers before you make your final decision
When comparing Softaculous and Fantastico, the number of scripts can be over whelming
Fantastico offers over 50 scripts, Softaculous offers over 440. In our opinion the type of scripts are more important than just the numbers. Fantastico only provides PHP scripts, which makes the library a bit limited. Softaculous offers PHP, Pearl, JAVA and many other types of scripts. Some of the scripts with Softactulous include Ratings, Demos, Importing Apps from Auto-Installers and User Reviews
With open source applications, you always get frequent updates because an entire community of users and developers constantly provide these updates. This helps to better secure your websites and helps you avoid spam. Softaculous provides frequent updates, whereas Fantastico updates the system, but not as often
Both Softaculous and Fantastico offer easy "one click" installations of their scripts. These are features many Hosting companies advertise because beginners like to be able to do things quick and easy. When looking at both, installation is about the same as they both provide fast installation of all scripts
The debate will no doubt continue forever and not everyone will say that one is better than the other, but most Hosting companies are slowly starting to migrate to Softaculous
Some of the benefits included with Softaculous:
•User-friendly interface and single-click installation
•More than 400 scripts
•New scripts added often
•Open Source library
•Easy to use Interface
•Customizable Interface
•Import scripts
•JavaScript libraries
•Backup apps
•Demo versions of scripts
•Fast Installation
Most downloaded apps and scripts with Softaculous
•WordPress
•AbanteCart
•PrestaShop
•Joomla
•Mambo
•Drupal
•phpBB
•SMF
•WHMCS
•MyBB
•Open Real Estate
With Softaculous users can review the apps and scripts through a useful online directory. If you wish to install an app or script just click "Install" and fill in the required information
With Fantastico, permits users to install applications with just one click although its interface. Fantastico only offers about 50 scripts. Fantastico may not provide technical support
It is clear Softaculous has started to become more popular than Fantastico. Many hosting companies still use Fantastico and probably will. The Hosting Company you choose will make a difference and it is important to look at the features, including the script libraries. Make sure to compare all the features before choosing a Host and if you specifically need tools offered by Softaculous or Fantastico, make sure the right ones are included with your hosting account
We recommend Softaculous over Fantastico for the many features. In fact we offer it for free with all our web hosting packages
Softaculous maintains a comparison page at this website: Softaculous Compare. In addition, a majority of cPanel users (87%) also recommend Softaculous over Fantastico
Kelly Y
Very informative blog. Thank you for writing a clear article. Extremely helpful for new users, Thank you for sharing
Trina U
Very well explained post. Very informative and helpful
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