HTMLy Hosting for Independent Publishers
Host a HTMLy publication on your own domain with cPanel access and a plan sized for its content, traffic and backup needs. HTMLy is an open-source, database-free blogging platform and flat-file CMS written in PHP. It stores content in files and organizes posts by date, type, category, tag and author. The administration panel supports Markdown publishing, static pages, several post formats, media, multiple authors, widgets, feeds and file caching without requiring MySQL.
HTMLy Status, Overview and Features
HTMLy is maintained, but its documentation notes need review
HTMLy remains available and maintained. Softaculous lists version 3.1.1, released in November 2025. The official documentation warns that parts of the documentation need updating, so confirm the current release package, PHP extensions and upgrade notes before deployment instead of relying on older setup articles.
What is HTMLy?
HTMLy is an open-source, database-free blogging platform and flat-file CMS written in PHP. It stores content in files and organizes posts by date, type, category, tag and author. The administration panel supports Markdown publishing, static pages, several post formats, media, multiple authors, widgets, feeds and file caching without requiring MySQL.
Who is HTMLy for?
HTMLy is a practical choice for personal blogs, documentation, portfolios, small publications and developers who prefer flat-file content. It removes database administration, but the hosting account still needs compatible PHP extensions and correctly protected writable directories. Large editorial teams or projects built around database integrations should compare other platforms.
Key HTMLy features
Flat-file storage
Publish without MySQL or another database server.
Markdown editor
Write posts with preview, drafts and image uploads.
Content types
Publish posts, pages, images, video, audio, links and quotes.
Taxonomy
Organize content by categories, tags, dates and authors.
Multiple authors
Assign administrator or regular user roles.
Themes and widgets
Customize layouts and add archives, tags and related-post blocks.
File caching
Use generated cache files to reduce repeated processing.
Backup and import
Download content and images, and import supported RSS 2.0 posts.
Choose the HTMLy Hosting Plan That's Right for You
Select a plan for expected traffic, media storage, email and backup retention. A small publication can start modestly, while multiple authors, larger uploads or several sites benefit from more resources. You can upgrade hosting as the publication grows.
Finding the right web hosting plan is easy with our transparent pricing and flexible upgrade options. Compare the plans below to select the best fit for your website, with custom hosting packages available for larger or specialized projects.
Pro Personal
For portfolios & blogsRenews at $7.99/mo
- 25 GB SSD Storage
- Free Domain Names
- Unmetered Bandwidth
- Secure Payment Options
- SiteJet AI Website Builder
- 360 Website Monitoring
- 45 Day Guarantee
- Encrypted Offsite Backups
- Malware Scan - Included
- WordPress - Included
- cPanel Softaculous - Included
- SSL Certificates - Included
- 5 Email Accounts
- 5 Parked Domains
- 5 Sub Domains
- 1 Website
Pro Business
Growing teams & shopsRenews at $10.99/mo
- 50 GB SSD Storage
- Free Domain Names
- Unmetered Bandwidth
- Secure Payment Options
- SiteJet AI Website Builder
- 360 Website Monitoring
- 45 Day Guarantee
- Encrypted Offsite Backups
- Malware Scan - Included
- WordPress - Included
- cPanel Softaculous - Included
- SSL Certificates - Included
- 25 Email Accounts
- 25 Parked Domains
- 25 Sub Domains
- 5 Websites
Pro Ultimate
For Unlimited ScaleRenews at $15.99/mo
- Unlimited SSD Storage
- Free Domain Names
- Unmetered Bandwidth
- Secure Payment Options
- SiteJet AI Website Builder
- 360 Website Monitoring
- 45 Day Guarantee
- Encrypted Offsite Backups
- Malware Scan - Included
- WordPress - Included
- cPanel Softaculous - Included
- SSL Certificates - Included
- Unlimited Email Accounts
- Unlimited Parked Domains
- Unlimited Sub Domains
- Unlimited Websites
What You Can Build With HTMLy
HTMLy can support personal blogs, portfolios, documentation sites, project journals, small magazines, release notes and lightweight business publications. Choose the platform for its actual publishing model and supported features, then plan navigation and content around reader tasks rather than adding functionality that the site will not maintain.
Installing HTMLy
Install through cPanel first
RSH Web Services offers HTMLy installation through Softaculous in cPanel. Choose the domain and directory, use a unique administrator login, review the cataloged version and complete the guided setup. RSH Web Services can help with installation questions.
Manual installation
Download the current official archive, upload and extract it in the chosen directory, then visit install.php and follow the installer. HTMLy does not need a database. Give only the cache and content directories the required write access, confirm site.url, and delete install.php if the installer does not remove it.
Migrating or Upgrading HTMLy
Migration
Use cPanel to copy or archive the entire HTMLy directory, or use Softaculous backup, restore or clone tools when it recognizes the installation. HTMLy's built-in download can package posts and uploaded images, and its importer accepts supported RSS 2.0 content. Preserve configuration, URLs and timestamps, then test the destination before changing DNS.
Upgrades
For a Softaculous-managed HTMLy installation, review its backup and upgrade option first. HTMLy also advertises an in-application cloud update feature, but create a separate full backup before using either method. Read release notes, confirm PHP compatibility and test themes or custom code. Manual upgrades must follow the official release instructions.
HTMLy Hosting Requirements and Licensing
HTMLy's official repository states PHP 7.2 or newer plus the Mbstring, XML, Intl and GD extensions; PHP ZIP is required for its backup feature. The cache and content directories need write permission. Confirm those published minimums against the current release and use a PHP branch that still receives security updates.
HTMLy is licensed under the GNU General Public License version 2.0 or later. Themes and other bundled or third-party components may have separate compatible licenses.
Security and Backups
Security practices
Keep HTMLy and themes current, use unique administrator credentials and restrict write access to the directories that require it. The official documentation specifically advises blocking web access to the config folder. Remove installer files after setup, run a supported PHP version, use HTTPS and review logs, comments and uploaded files.
Backup planning
HTMLy's online backup feature can download posts and uploaded images as a ZIP file. Also keep a complete copy of the application directory so configuration, themes and custom changes are recoverable. cPanel and Softaculous can provide additional backups. Store dated copies away from production and test restoration in another directory.
HTMLy Resources and Hosting Tools
Hosting account tools
» Softaculous Demo
See specifications, reviews and demonstrations for applications in the Softaculous catalog.
» cPanel Demo
Explore common website, file, database and email controls in cPanel.
Related Hosting Programs, Apps, and Tools for All Hosting Accounts
Frequently Asked Questions
Is HTMLy suitable for a new website?
Suitability depends on the project's maintenance status, current requirements and your publishing needs. HTMLy is maintained, but its documentation notes need review. Review official releases, test the exact PHP and database configuration, and compare the editorial workflow and extension ecosystem with alternatives before committing important content or moving an established publication.
Can RSH Web Services install HTMLy for me?
Yes. RSH Web Services offers HTMLy installation through Softaculous in cPanel, and can help with installation questions. Softaculous provides a guided setup for the cataloged package. Manual installation is also possible when you need more control, but the package version, PHP compatibility and required permissions should be checked first.
What hosting does HTMLy require?
HTMLy's official repository states PHP 7.2 or newer plus the Mbstring, XML, Intl and GD extensions; PHP ZIP is required for its backup feature. The cache and content directories need write permission. Confirm those published minimums against the current release and use a PHP branch that still receives security updates. Allow additional storage for uploads, logs and several backup generations rather than sizing the account only for the initial application files.
Does HTMLy need a database?
No. HTMLy stores posts and configuration in files, so MySQL or another SQL database is not required. The account still needs compatible PHP and the required extensions. Give the cache and content directories only the write permissions documented by HTMLy, protect the config directory from web access, and back up the complete file tree.
Can I migrate an existing HTMLy site?
Yes. Start with a complete, tested backup and copy the site through cPanel or the applicable Softaculous backup, restore or clone option when the installation is recognized. Verify the destination PHP version, URLs, permissions and content before changing DNS. A move from a different CMS needs a separate import or content-conversion plan.
How should HTMLy updates be handled?
Review the applicable Softaculous upgrade option first, but create a restorable backup before accepting an update. Read the project's release notes, confirm runtime requirements and check every theme or extension. Test significant upgrades on a staging copy. If updating manually, follow the official sequence for the installed version and preserve configuration and user content.
How do I secure a HTMLy blog?
Use unique administrator passwords, least-privilege accounts, HTTPS and a supported PHP version. Keep the application and compatible add-ons updated, remove unused code, restrict file permissions and review logs and comments. Server protections complement application maintenance; they do not make unsupported software safe. Test changes and retain a known-good backup before updating production.
What should a HTMLy backup contain?
A useful backup must include all application files, configuration, uploaded media and the database when the platform uses one. Keep multiple dated copies, with at least one stored outside the live hosting account. Record the PHP version and any scheduled tasks as well. Periodic test restores are the only reliable way to confirm the backup is complete.
Can HTMLy support search visibility?
HTMLy can provide publishable pages, titles, readable content organization and other foundations that search engines can crawl, but software alone does not guarantee rankings. Use descriptive headings, original answers, accessible navigation, useful internal links, concise metadata and stable URLs. Monitor indexing and performance, and avoid duplicate or thin posts written only for keywords.
Related Blog Hosting Information
The perfect hosting for bloggers. Fast, secure, and scalable services. From personal to professional blogs, get one-click installs, free SSL, and seamless content publishing
Tweet Share Pin Email
45 Day Unconditional Money-Back Guarantee On all HTMLy Hosting Packages