How to Install WordPress on Hostinger (Step-by-Step 2026)

Category: Web Development · Read time: 7 minutes · Keyword: how to install wordpress on hostinger

Introduction

WordPress powers over 40% of all websites on the internet, and Hostinger is one of the easiest hosts to run it on — it's also the best-value budget host for beginners in our best cheap hosting guide. Their custom control panel — hPanel — includes a one-click WordPress installer, free SSL certificates, and LiteSpeed caching for fast load times. In this guide, I'll walk you through installing WordPress on Hostinger step by step, from choosing your plan to logging into your new dashboard.

Prerequisites

Before you start, make sure you have:

• A Hostinger account with an active shared hosting plan (free domain and free SSL are included)
• A domain name pointing to Hostinger (you can register one for free in the first year)
• Access to your hPanel dashboard (you get login details by email after purchase)

Method 1: Install WordPress with the hPanel Auto-Installer (Recommended)

This is the fastest and easiest way — it takes about 5 minutes.

Step 1: Log in to hPanel Go to hpanel.hostinger.com and log in with the credentials you received by email after signing up.

Step 2: Open the website builder Look for the "New Website" or "Create Website" button on your dashboard. Hostinger's onboarding will ask what kind of site you want to build.

Step 3: Choose WordPress Select WordPress from the options. Hostinger's auto-installer will handle the setup — creating the database, installing the core files, and configuring everything behind the scenes.

Step 4: Pick your domain Choose the domain you want WordPress installed on. If you registered your domain with Hostinger, it will appear in the list automatically.

Step 5: Set up your admin login Enter a username, password, and email for your WordPress admin account. Save these somewhere safe — you'll need them to log in.

Step 6: Wait for the install Click install and wait 1–2 minutes. Hostinger will notify you when WordPress is ready.

Step 7: Log in to WordPress Go to yourdomain.com/wp-admin and log in with the admin credentials you just created. That's it — your WordPress site is live.

Method 2: Install WordPress via Softaculous

If you prefer a more classic approach, Hostinger also provides Softaculous — the industry-standard one-click installer used by many hosts.

Step 1: In hPanel, go to Websites → Manage for your domain. Step 2: Find Softaculous in the left sidebar and click it. Step 3: Click WordPress from the software list. Step 4: Click Install, then fill in the details:

• Software Setup: choose your domain and directory (leave the directory empty to install at the root).
• Admin Account: set a username, password, and admin email.
• Site Settings: give your site a name and description. Step 5: Scroll to the bottom and click Install. Softaculous will create the database and files automatically. Step 6: Once done, visit yourdomain.com/wp-admin to log in.

Method 3: Manual Installation (for Advanced Users)

If you want full control, you can install WordPress manually via FTP:

Step 1: Download the latest WordPress package from wordpress.org. Step 2: Connect to your hosting via FTP (Hostinger provides FTP credentials in hPanel → Files → FTP Accounts). Step 3: Upload the WordPress files to public_html. Step 4: Create a MySQL database in hPanel → Websites → Manage → Databases. Step 5: Visit yourdomain.com and follow the WordPress setup wizard, entering your database details when prompted.

This method takes longer and is more error-prone — I recommend Method 1 or 2 unless you specifically need manual control.

Which Method Should You Use?

For 95% of people, Method 1 (hPanel auto-installer) is the right choice — it's the fastest, least error-prone, and doesn't sacrifice any functionality.

Setting Up Your Site After Installation

Once WordPress is installed, here's what to do next:

• Enable your free SSL certificate. Hostinger includes free SSL with all plans. Go to Security → SSL in hPanel and enable it — your site will get https:// and a security padlock.
• Install a cache plugin. Hostinger integrates with LiteSpeed servers, so install the free LiteSpeed Cache plugin for fast page loads.
• Pick a theme. Choose a lightweight theme like GeneratePress or Kadence to keep your site fast.
• Set up a backup. Hostinger includes weekly backups on Premium plans — check they're enabled under Backups.

Hostinger's hPanel vs cPanel: Why It's Easier

Hostinger built hPanel as a cleaner alternative to the traditional cPanel. Everything is grouped logically — Websites, Domains, Email, Security, Performance — and the WordPress installer is front and center. If you've used cPanel on other hosts before, hPanel takes about ten minutes to learn and is genuinely more pleasant to navigate.

FAQ

Is WordPress free on Hostinger? Yes — WordPress itself is free open-source software, and Hostinger includes the one-click installer, free SSL, and weekly backups with your hosting plan at no extra cost.

Does Hostinger include a free domain with WordPress hosting? Yes. Most Hostinger plans include a free domain for the first year, which you can use for your WordPress site.

How long does it take to install WordPress on Hostinger? With the hPanel auto-installer, it takes about 5 minutes. Most of that is waiting for the installation to finish.

Can I install WordPress on Hostinger without cPanel? Yes — Hostinger uses its own hPanel, which includes the same one-click installer without needing cPanel at all.

Is Hostinger good for WordPress beginners? Yes. Between the guided onboarding, one-click install, free SSL, and LiteSpeed caching, it's one of the most beginner-friendly WordPress hosts available. For the full picture, read my Hostinger review.