Freedom251 › Blogging Platforms
Antville
by Antville
What Antville is
Antville is free, open-source software for hosting weblogs, including installations intended to host tens of thousands of blogs. It runs on the web, Linux, macOS, Windows, or a self-hosted setup. Publishers can use custom domains, schedule posts, add built-in memberships, and view blog analytics. Appearance is controlled through editable skins: HTML snippets that use Antville macros, so customization uses code. Story owners can enable or disable comments, with threaded discussions available. The software is written in server-side JavaScript and uses Helma Object Publisher with a relational database. PostgreSQL and MySQL are listed as tested databases, while MariaDB should work. Self-hosting requires those server components, and notification email requires SMTP access. Basic story import and export are listed in the 1.2 release notes. Version 1.6.0 is listed as stable, dated 2025-03-01. The code uses Apache License 2.0.
Who it suits
Antville suits people seeking free, open-source weblog hosting who can manage a self-hosted installation or work with editable code-based skins. It also fits publishers needing memberships, scheduled posts, comments, and analytics.
What it does well
- Free plan and open-source code
- Runs on web, Linux, macOS, and Windows
- Supports custom domains and scheduled posts
- Includes memberships and blog analytics
- Comment threads can be enabled or disabled
What to know first
- Self-hosting requires Helma and database software
- Email notifications require SMTP access
- Theme customization uses editable code skins
- Project notes that bugs may remain
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Antville | Open-source weblog hosting software · self-hosted installation | Free |
As about.antville.org lists them, read 11 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
Antville combines weblog hosting with memberships, scheduling, comments, and analytics at no listed cost. Its self-hosted requirements and code-based appearance controls matter when choosing it.
Facts from Antville's own pages
- Blog analytics
- Yes · code.host.antville.org, 22 Sept 2026
- Built-in memberships
- Yes · code.host.antville.org, 22 Sept 2026
- Comments
- Story owners can allow or disable comments, and Antville supports comment threads. · code.host.antville.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Custom appearance
- Weblog appearance is controlled by editable skins, which are HTML snippets with special tags called macros. · code.host.antville.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Custom domain
- Yes · code.host.antville.org, 22 Sept 2026
- Sending notification emails requires access to an SMTP server. · code.host.antville.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Founded
- 2001 · about.antville.org, 28 Sept 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · code.host.antville.org, 22 Sept 2026
- Import and export
- The Antville 1.2 release notes list basic site import and export options for stories. · code.host.antville.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Installation requirements
- A self-hosted Antville installation requires Helma Object Publisher and relational database software; the project says PostgreSQL and MySQL were tested and MariaDB should work. · code.host.antville.org, 11 Oct 2026
- License
- The project lists the Apache License 2.0 as its code license. · code.host.antville.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Operating system package
- The AntClick instructions describe starting the package with start.bat on Windows or start.sh on Linux and Mac OS X. · github-wiki-see.page, 11 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Antville is open-source software for hosting weblogs and can host tens of thousands of blogs. · code.host.antville.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Release
- The project lists Antville 1.6.0 as a stable release dated 2025-03-01. · code.host.antville.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Post scheduling
- Yes · code.host.antville.org, 22 Sept 2026
- Security and reliability
- The project describes its codebase as stable and ready for production, while cautioning that bugs may remain and disclaiming responsibility for what the software might do. · code.host.antville.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project directs users to its support site for questions and its development site for bug reports and feature requests. · code.host.antville.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Technology
- Antville is written in server-side JavaScript and uses Helma Object Publisher and a relational database. · code.host.antville.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Theme customization
- custom code · code.host.antville.org, 22 Sept 2026
Where Antville stands on Freedom251
- Blogging Platforms#28 of 125