Best Self Hosted Alternatives to Statamic Cloud

KeystoneJS is a developer-focused, open-source headless CMS and app framework for Node.js. It lets you declare data models (lists) in TypeScript or JavaScript and immediately provides a GraphQL API plus a configurable React-based Admin UI for managing content and data.

Key Features

• Schema-first data modelling with Lists and rich field types (text, relationship, document, password, timestamp, etc.).
• Auto-generated GraphQL API and CRUD resolvers that follow your schema and access rules.
• Full TypeScript typing and developer DX for compile-time safety and editor autocompletion.
• Admin UI built with React and Next.js, supporting custom React components and field views.
• Prisma-powered database layer with automated migrations and direct Prisma client access.
• Built-in access control, session management, hooks, and custom queries/mutations.
• Pluggable storage adapters and file handling to integrate with object stores or local storage.
• Designed to fit git-based workflows and common CI/CD/deployment targets.

Use Cases

• Headless CMS for websites, marketing sites, and multi-channel content delivery.
• Backend and content platform for web or mobile applications requiring custom schemas and role-based access.
• Internal admin panels, editorial tools, or lightweight e-commerce backends built on top of a generated API.

Limitations and Considerations

• Keystone 6 relies on Prisma as its ORM abstraction; currently supported database providers are relational (PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite). Official MongoDB support is not provided due to Prisma/migrations considerations.
• Behaviour of text filtering and some field types can differ between supported SQL providers; developers must consider provider-specific column types and collation implications.
• Large-scale or highly-custom multi-database scenarios may require additional engineering around migrations, transactions, and Prisma client extensions.

KeystoneJS is focused on giving developers a fast, type-safe starting point for APIs and content management while allowing deep customization of UI, access control, and persistence. Its core strengths are schema-driven APIs, TypeScript-first tooling, and a React-based Admin experience.

Umbraco CMS is a free and open-source content management system built on .NET for creating and managing content-driven websites and digital experiences. It provides an editor-friendly backoffice and a flexible, developer-centric architecture for building customized solutions.

Key Features

• Content modeling with custom document types, templates, and structured content
• Editor-focused backoffice for creating, organizing, and publishing content
• Extensible architecture for adding custom dashboards, sections, and content apps
• Integration-friendly approach for connecting to external services and APIs
• Deployment options suitable for small sites through enterprise-scale implementations

Use Cases

• Building and managing marketing websites with custom editorial workflows
• Implementing scalable content platforms for organizations with multiple sites
• Developing tailored CMS solutions that require custom integrations and UI extensions

Umbraco CMS is well-suited for teams that want a mature .NET-based CMS with a strong editing experience and the flexibility to build highly customized implementations. Its extensibility and scalability make it a common choice for long-lived websites and evolving digital platforms.

Microweber is a drag-and-drop website builder and content management system (CMS) for creating websites, blogs, and online stores. Built on the Laravel framework, it provides a visual editing experience alongside a full admin panel for managing content and products.

Key Features

• Live drag-and-drop page building with real-time text editing
• Admin panel for managing pages, posts, products, and categories
• Built-in e-commerce capabilities for running an online shop
• Template and layout system for quickly composing pages
• Extensible module approach for adding site functionality
• Supports multiple database backends via PDO (including MySQL and SQLite)

Use Cases

• Launch a small business website with visual editing and custom layouts
• Run a lightweight online store with product and category management
• Create and maintain a blog or content-driven site without coding

Limitations and Considerations

• Requires a PHP environment and compatible database setup; features depend on server extensions being available
• Advanced customization typically involves working with themes/modules and the Laravel-based codebase

Microweber fits users who want a traditional CMS combined with a modern visual editor and integrated e-commerce. It is suitable for both non-technical site owners and developers who want a Laravel-based platform they can extend.

Squidex is an open-source headless CMS and content management hub designed for structured content and an API-first workflow. It provides a web UI for editors while developers consume content via robust APIs to power websites, apps, and backend services.

Key Features

• Schema-based content modeling for structured, reusable content
• REST API with OpenAPI/Swagger definitions and advanced querying (OData-style filtering)
• GraphQL endpoint, including support for real-time subscriptions
• Workflow and role-based permissions to control draft, review, and publishing processes
• Content versioning with history, comparisons, rollback, and audit-oriented change tracking
• Event-driven integrations and automation hooks to connect external systems
• Asset management and import/export tools, including CLI-based administration
• Built-in backup and restore capabilities for migrations and recovery

Use Cases

• Centralized content backend for websites, mobile apps, and multi-channel publishing
• Product catalogs, marketing pages, and structured content for multiple frontends
• Content hub integrated with internal systems via events and APIs

Limitations and Considerations

• Requires external database infrastructure and careful sizing for high-scale deployments
• API-first approach means frontend rendering must be implemented separately

Squidex is well-suited for teams that want a flexible, developer-friendly headless CMS with strong APIs, workflows, and operational tooling. It can be deployed via containers or platform-native setups and scaled for production workloads.

MODX Revolution is an open source content management system (CMS) and application framework built for creating custom websites and digital experiences without forcing a fixed theme or markup structure. It emphasizes flexibility, performance through caching, and security-focused architecture.

Key Features

• Template-driven rendering that gives developers full control over HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
• Extensible core with packages and modular components for custom requirements
• Built-in caching to improve performance for dynamic sites
• Granular user permissions and access controls for tailored editorial workflows
• Multi-site and multilingual capabilities suitable for multi-domain deployments

Use Cases

• Corporate and marketing websites requiring custom design and structured content editing
• Agency-built client sites that need a tailored admin experience and fine-grained permissions
• Content-driven applications and integrations (for example, headless-style delivery via custom endpoints)

Limitations and Considerations

• Best suited for teams comfortable with configuring templates and content models; it is less “theme-first” than some CMS platforms
• The ecosystem and extensions differ from more mainstream CMS options, so feature parity may require custom development

MODX Revolution is a strong fit when you need a customizable PHP CMS with clean separation of presentation and content, robust access control, and an extensible framework for building beyond standard page publishing.

Bludit is a lightweight, database-free content management system for building websites and blogs. It stores content as JSON files, making setup and backups simple while keeping performance responsive on modest hosting.

Key Features

• Flat-file storage using JSON (no database required)
• Web-based admin panel for managing pages and posts
• Theme system for customizing site appearance
• Plugin system to extend functionality
• Markdown and HTML content support, including editor options
• SEO-oriented features suitable for search engines and social sharing

Use Cases

• Personal or company blogs that need quick deployment and low maintenance
• Small websites on shared hosting where databases are undesirable
• Lightweight CMS projects that benefit from file-based backups and portability

Limitations and Considerations

• Flat-file storage can be less suitable for very large sites with heavy write activity
• Feature set depends heavily on available plugins and themes

Bludit is a solid choice when you want a traditional CMS experience without operating a database. Its file-based approach, theming, and extensibility make it practical for straightforward publishing and small-to-medium websites.

Backdrop CMS is a full-featured content management system (CMS) that helps non-technical users create, publish, and manage website content. It is a fork of Drupal that emphasizes a simpler architecture, fast learning curve, and solid out-of-the-box functionality.

Key Features

• Admin UI for creating and organizing content without programming
• Extensible functionality via add-ons (modules/themes) installable from the site
• Built-in upgrade path from Drupal 7 for easier migrations
• Performance-oriented design suitable for shared hosting environments
• Developer-friendly APIs and a codebase designed to be learned quickly

Use Cases

• Company or organization websites and intranets
• Blogs and content-driven marketing sites
• Community sites such as simple social networks or image galleries

Limitations and Considerations

• Primarily targets MySQL/MariaDB deployments; other databases are not a typical focus
• Ecosystem is smaller than Drupal’s, so specific niche modules may require custom development

Backdrop CMS is a practical option for teams that want a traditional PHP CMS with a straightforward development model and strong usability for content editors. It is especially relevant for Drupal 7 users seeking a familiar, lower-complexity path forward while retaining extensibility.

Textpattern CMS is a lightweight, fast content management system written in PHP, designed for building websites and blogs with clean, controllable markup. It uses a tag-based templating language and keeps the core lean while remaining extensible through plugins.

Key Features

• Browser-based administration interface with a deliberately uncluttered, accessible UI
• Tag-based template language for layouts, pages, and reusable components
• Plugin ecosystem to extend core functionality
• Multi-language admin interface with extensive localization
• Supports authoring content with Textile; Markdown support is available via plugins
• Designed to keep generated HTML clean and under your control

Use Cases

• Personal or editorial blogs with structured content and custom templates
• Lightweight CMS for small-to-medium business or brochure websites
• Custom-designed sites where precise control over markup and presentation matters

Limitations and Considerations

• Some functionality (for example Markdown authoring) may require installing plugins

Textpattern CMS is a mature, long-running project focused on simplicity, performance, and clean site building. It suits teams and individuals who want a traditional CMS with strong template control and an extensible plugin ecosystem.

Cockpit is an API-first headless content management system for managing structured content and delivering it to any frontend via REST or GraphQL. It is designed to stay lightweight while providing flexible content modeling, an admin UI, and optional add-ons for common content workflows.

Key Features

• Headless CMS with REST and GraphQL APIs for content delivery
• Flexible content modeling with Collections, Singletons, and Trees
• Asset management with built-in image processing capabilities
• Roles and permissions, API tokens, and optional two-factor authentication
• Multi-language content support for localized experiences
• Extensible via add-ons, hooks, and events; supports webhooks for automation
• Supports SQLite (default) or MongoDB as the backend datastore

Use Cases

• Power content for websites, SPAs, and static frontends via API
• Provide a shared content backend for mobile apps or multi-channel delivery
• Manage product catalogs, documentation, or marketing content with localization

Limitations and Considerations

• Requires modern PHP (notably PHP 8.3+) and correct filesystem permissions for the storage directory
• Backend storage is limited to SQLite or MongoDB, which may not fit teams standardized on relational databases

Cockpit fits teams that want a developer-friendly, API-first CMS with minimal overhead and strong flexibility in content structure. It works well as a lightweight content platform where you control data, deployment, and integrations.

Roadiz is a PHP CMS built around a polymorphic node/content schema that lets you model arbitrary content types and organize them hierarchically. It provides both a traditional themable back office and API-first features for headless deployments.

Key Features

• Polymorphic node system for flexible content schemas and structured content modelling
• Built on Symfony (Symfony Flex) using Doctrine ORM for data persistence
• API-first architecture with API platform integrations to expose headless endpoints
• Decoupled theming with Twig-based templates allowing multiple themes per repository
• Administrative back office focused on usability and content editing workflow
• Extensible bundle ecosystem (search bundle integrations such as Solr are available)
• Developer tooling: Docker-based development environment, composer-based PHP workflow, and entity/model generators

Use Cases

• Create headless content APIs for single-page applications or mobile apps
• Build content-heavy websites with custom content types and complex relationships
• Publish themable marketing or institution websites that require multiple themes and editorial workflows

Limitations and Considerations

• The v1.x repository is legacy and receives only security updates; active v2+ development moved to a monorepo and newer packages
• Some functionality is delivered via optional bundles; specific integrations (search, auth, markdown) may require additional configuration or separate packages

Roadiz is suitable for teams that need a highly customizable CMS with strong developer tooling and both traditional and headless delivery options. Evaluate the v2+ ecosystem for up-to-date packages and recommended project skeletons.

CouchCMS is a PHP-based content management system designed for web designers and front-end developers. It lets you turn any static HTML/CSS template into a CMS-managed site by adding simple Couch tags, without requiring PHP coding skills.

Key Features

• Editable regions added directly in HTML/CSS templates using lightweight Couch tags
• Cloned pages to generate listings (blogs, portfolios, galleries) from templates
• CMS-managed forms with validation and ability to save submissions to the database
• Comments system with moderation controls
• SEO-friendly, nested virtual folders for readable URLs
• Listings, search inclusion control, and customizable RSS feeds
• Events calendar, custom 404/site-offline pages, and simple PayPal integration
• URL cloaking for protected downloads and basic site utilities for designers

Use Cases

• Convert static HTML/CSS templates into editable client-managed websites quickly
• Build small business sites, portfolios, or simple blogs where clients edit content via a minimal admin panel
• Create templated sections like event listings, galleries, or product pages using cloned pages

Limitations and Considerations

• Primarily a monolithic PHP CMS tailored to designers; not a headless CMS or API-first platform
• Open-source license (CPAL) requires attribution in source files unless a commercial white-label license is purchased
• Lacks a large plugin ecosystem and advanced modern features found in larger CMSs; hosting requires a PHP/MySQL-capable environment

CouchCMS is best suited for designers and small teams who want to keep full control over markup while adding CMS features without diving into backend code. It is a lightweight, pragmatic solution for templated sites where simplicity and fidelity to the original design are priorities.

BigTree CMS is an open-source content management system built on PHP and MySQL that emphasizes developer control and an intuitive admin experience. It uses standard HTML/CSS/JavaScript and allows embedding PHP in templates for flexible site development.

Key Features

• Core built with PHP and MySQL; designed to let developers write standard HTML, CSS, JS and PHP (no proprietary templating).
• Template-driven output with editable frontend/admin UI and a visual editing workflow for pages and modules.
• Modular content types (modules, callouts, matrices) and a media manager with thumbnailing and cloud-storage integrations.
• Site integrity checking, pending changes workflow, role-based permissions, and search-optimized views.
• Bundled demo site and developer guides, plus changelog-driven maintenance and releases.

(bigtreecms.org)

Use Cases

• University, institutional, and corporate brochure sites that need hierarchical pages and fine-grained permissions.
• Custom brochure, marketing, or campaign sites where developers require full control over HTML/CSS/JS and PHP templates.

(bigtreecms.org)

Limitations and Considerations

• Smaller ecosystem and third-party plugin marketplace compared with major CMS platforms; community and ecosystem are modest in size (repository activity and star count indicate a smaller community footprint).
• Historically oriented toward traditional templated sites rather than headless or Jamstack-first workflows; integration work may be required for modern decoupled architectures.

(github.com)

BigTree is suited for teams that want developer control with an approachable admin UI and modular content modelling. It is maintained with a changelog and release notes that document compatibility and fixes for PHP/MySQL versions.

SPIP is a free and open source content management system (CMS) created for publishing websites with a strong focus on ease of use, multilingual content, and collective editorial work. It is widely used for institutional, community, personal, and small commercial sites.

Key Features

• Collaborative editorial workflow with roles/permissions for contributors and editors
• Built-in multilingual publishing tools for pages and site structure
• Flexible templating system for designing themes without changing stored content
• Article-based publishing suited to news sites, magazines, and documentation-style sites
• Extensible architecture with plugins for added features (e.g., consent management, payments)

Use Cases

• Association or NGO websites with multiple editors and contributors
• Institutional portals requiring structured publishing and multilingual pages
• Online magazines and news sites with regular editorial updates

SPIP provides a mature, community-driven publishing platform that balances editorial simplicity with the ability to build customized site designs. Its strengths make it especially suitable for collaborative teams and multilingual publishing needs.

Drupal is an open source content management system and web application framework used to build and manage websites, intranets, and digital experience platforms. It emphasizes structured content, extensibility, and fine-grained access control for complex publishing needs.

Key Features

• Modular architecture with a large ecosystem of extensions (modules) and themes
• Structured content modeling with custom content types, fields, and taxonomies
• Granular roles and permissions suitable for multi-role editorial workflows
• Built-in content authoring, revisions, moderation, and publishing workflows
• Multi-site and multi-language capabilities for managing multiple properties
• Extensible APIs for integrating with external systems and headless use cases

Use Cases

• Content-heavy corporate and government websites with complex governance
• Community portals and editorial platforms with workflow and moderation needs
• Headless or decoupled architectures where Drupal provides content APIs

Limitations and Considerations

• Operational complexity can be higher than simpler CMS options, especially with many modules
• Major version upgrades may require planning and compatibility checks for custom code and modules

Drupal is a strong choice when you need structured content, robust permissions, and a highly extensible platform. It scales from single sites to large multi-site and multi-language deployments when properly designed and maintained.

Neos is an open-source content application platform (CMS) built for teams that need structured content, flexible content modeling, and a modern editorial experience. It combines an inline editing UI with a powerful content repository and a PHP framework foundation (Flow) to build websites and content-driven applications.

Key Features

• Inline, in-context editing with a visual page/content editing experience
• Content repository with node-based, structured content modeling and reusable content elements
• Content dimensions and variants (commonly used for languages and segmentation)
• Workspace-based editorial workflow with publishing/review concepts
• Extensible architecture via packages and a strong separation of content, rendering, and behavior
• Integrates with PHP ecosystem tooling (Composer) and supports templating for frontend rendering

Use Cases

• Corporate and marketing websites requiring rich editorial workflows
• Multi-language sites with structured content and reusable components
• Content-driven applications where content modeling and extensibility are central

Limitations and Considerations

• Typically requires familiarity with Neos/Flow concepts (content repository, workspaces, dimensions) to implement effectively
• Best suited to teams comfortable operating a PHP/Composer-based stack and building custom packages

Neos fits organizations that want more than a page-centric CMS: it emphasizes structured content, editorial collaboration, and extensibility. It is commonly adopted for multi-language, content-heavy sites and bespoke content applications where a robust content repository and inline editing are important.

CMS Made Simple is an open source content management system for creating and maintaining websites with a focus on usability for editors and flexibility for developers. It provides a straightforward admin interface while supporting custom designs and extensions through a mature module and templating system.

Key Features

• User-friendly admin panel for content editing and site management
• Smarty templating engine for theme and layout development without embedding PHP in templates
• Extensible architecture with modules, tags, and an API for custom functionality
• Design freedom using standard HTML and CSS for building themes
• Ecosystem of third-party add-ons to expand site capabilities

Use Cases

• Company and organization websites with non-technical content editors
• Custom-designed marketing sites requiring full control over templates
• Feature-rich sites built by adding or developing modules (for example forms, galleries, or member areas)

CMS Made Simple is a solid choice when you want a traditional CMS that stays approachable for editors while still enabling developers to deliver fully custom themes and extend functionality through add-ons and custom modules.