Movable Type Hosting for Independent Publishers
Host a Movable Type publication on your own domain with cPanel access and a plan sized for its content, traffic and backup needs. Movable Type is a publishing and content-management platform for websites and blogs. It supports multiple sites, editorial roles, templates, assets, tags, comments and static or dynamic publishing workflows. Unlike the PHP applications on many shared-hosting catalogs, Movable Type is primarily a Perl CGI application and requires a compatible server environment and database.
Movable Type Status, Overview and Features
The Softaculous Movable Type package is obsolete
Movable Type itself remains actively maintained, with version 9 updates published in 2026. However, Softaculous catalogs Movable Type 5.2.13 from April 2015. That installer package is obsolete and must not be presented as the current product. Do not deploy it for a new production site; obtain and license a supported edition through Six Apart.
What is Movable Type?
Movable Type is a publishing and content-management platform for websites and blogs. It supports multiple sites, editorial roles, templates, assets, tags, comments and static or dynamic publishing workflows. Unlike the PHP applications on many shared-hosting catalogs, Movable Type is primarily a Perl CGI application and requires a compatible server environment and database.
Who is Movable Type for?
A current licensed edition can fit organizations that need structured multi-site publishing, controlled templates, static output and established editorial workflows. It requires more deployment planning than a typical PHP blog. The old Softaculous 5.2.13 package is relevant only to legacy recovery and should not be chosen as a shortcut to the current product.
Key Movable Type features
Multiple sites and blogs
Manage related publications from one administration system.
Template publishing
Generate controlled site output using Movable Type templates.
Asset management
Organize images and files used across published content.
Editorial permissions
Delegate publishing work across users and roles.
Tags and archives
Create categorized, tagged and date-based content views.
Publishing queue
Process supported publishing jobs in the background.
Plugins and themes
Extend supported releases with compatible components.
Static output
Publish generated pages that can reduce front-end processing.
Choose the Movable Type 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.
Compare our web hosting plans below and choose the solution that fits your website today. Every plan offers affordable pricing and the flexibility to grow with your business, with custom hosting options available whenever you need them.
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 Movable Type
Movable Type can support multi-site publications, corporate newsrooms, editorial blogs, campaign sites, documentation, archives and organizations that benefit from generated static pages. 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 Movable Type
Install through cPanel first
RSH Web Services offers Movable Type 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
For a supported release, obtain the licensed package from Six Apart, confirm CGI and Perl-module requirements, upload application and static files to their documented locations, prepare the database and run the configuration wizard. Use mt-check.cgi to identify missing modules. Follow the current edition's official guide rather than legacy 5.x instructions.
Migrating or Upgrading Movable Type
Migration
For a recognized legacy installation, cPanel can archive files and export the database, and applicable Softaculous backup, restore or clone options can preserve that old instance. For a supported Movable Type move, follow Six Apart's migration guidance and retain application, database, themes, plugins and generated assets. Test publishing paths before DNS changes.
Upgrades
Do not use the Softaculous 5.2.13 entry as an upgrade route to current Movable Type. Back up through cPanel or applicable Softaculous tools first, then consult Six Apart's lifecycle and version-specific upgrade documentation. Major upgrades may require licensing, intermediate steps, updated Perl modules, database changes and plugin compatibility testing.
Movable Type Hosting Requirements and Licensing
Movable Type requires a supported Perl environment, executable CGI support, required Perl modules and a compatible database, commonly MySQL. Current requirements vary by licensed edition and release. Run the supplied mt-check.cgi and consult the exact version's official system requirements; PHP version claims do not describe Movable Type's core runtime.
Movable Type licensing depends on the edition, version and intended use. Current editions are commercial products from Six Apart, while historical open-source packages had different terms. Verify the license for the exact package before installation, migration or redistribution rather than assuming the old Softaculous entry covers a current release.
Security and Backups
Security practices
Use a currently supported Movable Type release and promptly apply Six Apart security updates. Restrict CGI and file permissions, protect administrator accounts, remove obsolete plugins and run only required Perl modules. The 2015 Softaculous package lacks current maintenance and should not be exposed as a new production installation. Test updates before publishing changes.
Backup planning
Back up the Movable Type database, application configuration, themes, plugins, uploaded assets and any generated site output needed for recovery. cPanel can archive files and export databases; Softaculous tools may preserve a recognized legacy installation. Store off-account copies and test a restore that includes publishing paths, CGI permissions and scheduled jobs.
Movable Type 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 Software, Scripts, and Tools for Every Account Plan
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Movable Type suitable for a new website?
Current supported Movable Type editions can suit professional publishing, but the Softaculous cataloged 5.2.13 package from 2015 is obsolete and should not be installed for a new production website. Confirm licensing, lifecycle status and server requirements directly with Six Apart, then deploy a supported release through its official installation path.
Can RSH Web Services install Movable Type for me?
Yes. RSH Web Services offers Movable Type 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 Movable Type require?
Movable Type requires a supported Perl environment, executable CGI support, required Perl modules and a compatible database, commonly MySQL. Current requirements vary by licensed edition and release. Run the supplied mt-check.cgi and consult the exact version's official system requirements; PHP version claims do not describe Movable Type's core runtime. Allow additional storage for uploads, logs and several backup generations rather than sizing the account only for the initial application files.
Does Movable Type need a database?
Yes. Movable Type uses a database for site content and settings. Create the database and a dedicated database user in cPanel, grant only the required privileges and keep the credentials private. Database content must be backed up together with application files so that posts, users, settings and uploaded media remain synchronized during recovery.
Can I migrate an existing Movable Type 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 Movable Type 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 Movable Type 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 Movable Type 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 Movable Type support search visibility?
Movable Type 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.
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