Mahara Web Hosting with Free Domain

All Mahara Plans Include

Mahara Documentation and Hosting Resources

The documentation link above points to an older 21.10 manual; use the project homepage to find instructions for the version you actually install. See the existing Softaculous overview, Softaculous Demo, and cPanel Demo.

Hosting resources: NGINX, HTTP/2, PHP, free CDN, SSL Secure certificates, Firewall Security, DDoS, and SSD. Verify details for the chosen plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mahara still maintained?

Yes. The official Mahara 26.04 manual and project publisher document a release from April 2026. Check the version actually offered in Softaculous before assuming you will install that release. Publisher access and support for newer versions may be subject to a subscription, so confirm the arrangement for your organization.

Is Mahara a conventional website CMS?

Mahara is primarily an ePortfolio system focused on learner-created evidence, reflective work, and controlled sharing. It can present pages, but it is not intended as a direct substitute for a standard company website builder. Choose it when portfolios, assessment, and individual control of visibility are central to the project.

Is Mahara open source?

The project says Mahara remains licensed under GNU GPL version 3. That describes the software license, but the publisher also describes subscription-based access to the latest release. Review the exact package available to you and the terms of any updates or technical support before planning an institutional deployment.

Can students choose who sees their portfolios?

Mahara's portfolio framework supports different views and sharing permissions. Set up institution and group policies before inviting users, and teach them to check access settings on each shared page. Test those settings with ordinary accounts so private coursework is not inadvertently exposed to everyone who visits the site.

Does Mahara need a separate data directory?

Mahara stores uploaded portfolio files in a data directory that must be included in backup and migration plans. Follow the official setup instructions for placing it securely and setting filesystem permissions. Copying only the web application or database can leave images, documents, and other submitted evidence missing after a move.

Which PHP version should I use with Mahara 26.04?

A response on Mahara's official support forum confirms compatibility with PHP 8.2 for version 26.04 and says full PHP 8.3 support was planned for a later point release. Verify the current requirements of the exact release offered through Softaculous before changing your cPanel PHP version or upgrading an existing installation.

How can I move an existing Mahara site?

Make a complete backup of the database, web files, configuration, and uploaded-file data directory. Review cPanel migration and backup options first and any applicable Softaculous controls for a recognized installation. After restoring the copy, test user login, portfolio pages, and attachments before moving traffic or discontinuing the old account.

Can Softaculous upgrade Mahara automatically?

Check which upgrade actions Softaculous actually offers for your recognized installation. First review Mahara's version-to-version release notes, technical requirements, and subscription terms for the target package. Back up and test before applying an update, particularly when an institution relies on portfolio access, scheduled jobs, and integrations.

What should an organization plan before launching Mahara?

Decide how accounts will be created, who can see portfolio work, what evidence learners may upload, and when records will be retained or removed. Estimate media storage and concurrent usage when selecting a hosting plan. Review privacy obligations and test a backup restoration before inviting a full cohort.