---
url: /cashfree-acellemail/requirements.md
description: >-
  What your server needs before installing Cashfree for AcelleMail — AcelleMail
  4.0+, PHP 8.2+, the ionCube Loader, a Cashfree account, outbound HTTPS and an
  active license.
---

# Requirements

Before you install the Cashfree gateways, take a minute to confirm your server meets a short list of
requirements. Everything here is standard for a modern AcelleMail install, so if you are already
running AcelleMail 4.0 you are almost certainly ready — but it is worth checking so activation goes
smoothly the first time.

## Server and software

| Requirement | Details |
| --- | --- |
| **AcelleMail** | 4.0.0 or newer |
| **PHP** | 8.2 or newer (runs on 8.2, 8.3, 8.4 and 8.5) |
| **ionCube Loader** | 13.0.2 or newer (see below) |
| **A Cashfree account** | With API keys (App ID + Secret Key) from the Cashfree dashboard |
| **Outbound HTTPS** | To Cashfree and to relyweb.co for licensing (port 443) |
| **License** | An active Cashfree gateway license |

Cashfree is **INR-only** for domestic payments and subscriptions, so both gateways only work with
INR-priced plans and invoices.

## The ionCube Loader

Cashfree ships as an ionCube-encoded build, so your server needs the **ionCube Loader** — a small,
standard PHP extension that runs protected commercial software. It is the *same* Loader AcelleMail
itself requires, so a server already running AcelleMail almost always has it and you rarely need to
install anything new.

You need **ionCube Loader 13.0.2 or newer**. One encoded archive covers every supported PHP version
from 8.2 to 8.5, and newer 14.x and 15.x Loaders are backward-compatible — so there is nothing to
match up.

::: danger Cashfree will not run without ionCube
If the Loader is missing or too old, installing the plugin can show **"ionCube Loader required"** or
leave you with a blank / parse-error page. Confirm the Loader is active for your PHP version:

```
php -m | grep -i ioncube
```

If it lists `ionCube Loader`, you are set. If it prints nothing, install (or update) the ionCube
Loader for your PHP version (8.2–8.5), then try again.
:::

## Why a Cashfree account and a license

You need two things to accept money through this plugin. First, a **Cashfree account** — this is
where your funds settle and where your API keys (App ID and Secret Key) come from. You copy those
keys into the plugin once and both gateways share them. See
[Get your API keys](/cashfree-acellemail/guides/get-api-keys).

Second, an **active license**. The license gates the gateways themselves: until your key is **Active**,
neither **Cashfree** nor **Cashfree Subscription** appears in **Admin → Payment Gateways** and payment
processing stays disabled. Enter your key, Save Settings, and both gateways are created automatically.
See [Licensing](/cashfree-acellemail/licensing) for how the check works.

## How to check

* **AcelleMail version** — your admin footer shows the running version; confirm it is 4.0.0 or newer.
* **PHP version** — run `php -v` on the server, or check your hosting panel.
* **ionCube Loader** — `php -m | grep -i ioncube` should list `ionCube Loader`; if it does not,
  install it for your PHP version.
* **Cashfree account** — confirm you can log in to the Cashfree dashboard and reach
  **Developers → API Keys**.
* **Outbound HTTPS** — the server must reach Cashfree and relyweb.co on port 443.

## Related pages

* [Installation](/cashfree-acellemail/installation)
* [Configuration](/cashfree-acellemail/configuration)
* [Get your API keys](/cashfree-acellemail/guides/get-api-keys)
* [Licensing](/cashfree-acellemail/licensing)
* [Troubleshooting](/cashfree-acellemail/troubleshooting)