---
url: /zoho-payments-whmcs/requirements.md
description: >-
  What your server and Zoho account need before you install Zoho Payments for
  WHMCS — PHP, WHMCS, the ionCube Loader, SSL, and a Zoho account with Payments
  API access.
---

# Requirements

Confirm your server and Zoho account are ready before you install. Most WHMCS hosts already meet the software requirements.

## Server and software

| Requirement | Details |
| --- | --- |
| **PHP** | 8.2 or newer (runs on 8.2, 8.3, 8.4 and 8.5) |
| **WHMCS** | 8.13 or newer, or 9.x |
| **ionCube Loader** | 13.0.2 or newer (see below) |
| **PHP extensions** | `curl`, `openssl`, `json`, and `mbstring` enabled |
| **SSL certificate** | Required for the webhook endpoint |
| **Zoho account** | A **Zoho account** with **Payments API** access |
| **License** | An active Zoho Payments license |

Required PHP extensions:

* **`curl` and `openssl`:** Handle secure outbound HTTPS requests to Zoho.
* **`json`:** Encodes and decodes API payloads.
* **`mbstring`:** Manages multi-byte string formatting.

## The ionCube Loader

Zoho Payments for WHMCS is ionCube-encoded and requires the **ionCube Loader** PHP extension:

* **Environment support:** Because WHMCS requires ionCube, compliant hosting environments already have it enabled.
* **Minimum version:** Requires **ionCube Loader 13.0.2 or newer** (compatible with PHP 8.2+, 8.3+, and 8.4+).
* **Single build:** One encoded package operates across all supported PHP and loader versions.

::: danger ionCube Loader required
If ionCube Loader is missing or older than 13.0.2, the gateway cannot execute. Enable **ionCube Loader 13.0.2+** for your PHP version before activating the module.
:::

## Why a Zoho account with Payments API access

The gateway interacts directly with Zoho APIs to render widgets and verify transactions:

* **Payments API access:** Required to generate payment sessions and query transaction statuses.
* **OAuth credentials:** Client ID, Client Secret, and Refresh Token configured via the [Zoho OAuth setup guide](/zoho-payments-whmcs/guides/zoho-oauth).
* **SSL certificate:** Zoho delivers Payment Link webhook notifications exclusively to valid HTTPS endpoints.

## Why a license

An active license enables **payment processing**:

* **Active license:** The gateway accepts new payments and verifies incoming transactions.
* **Inactive license:** New checkouts are suspended until a valid key is provided. See [Licensing](/zoho-payments-whmcs/licensing).

## How to check

* **PHP and extensions:** In WHMCS, open **Utilities → System → PHP Info** to verify PHP version and loaded modules (`curl`, `openssl`, `json`, `mbstring`).
* **ionCube Loader:** Confirm the ionCube section in **PHP Info** displays version 13.0.2 or higher.
* **SSL certificate:** Verify that your WHMCS installation loads over a valid `https://` connection.
* **Zoho account:** Ensure access to the Zoho Developer Console for your chosen data centre (India or US).

## Related pages

* [Installation](/zoho-payments-whmcs/installation) — upload, activate, and configure
* [Zoho OAuth setup](/zoho-payments-whmcs/guides/zoho-oauth) — app, refresh token, and webhook
* [Configuration](/zoho-payments-whmcs/configuration) — walk through every gateway field
* [Licensing](/zoho-payments-whmcs/licensing) — Leased vs Lifetime and your key