Apache Roller

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What Apache Roller is

Apache Roller is a Java-based server for operating blog sites, including multi-user and group blogs. The project says it can support thousands of users and blogs. Group blogs can assign owner, editor, and drafter permissions, while comment moderation and spam-prevention measures help manage responses. Bloggers can control layout and style through Apache Velocity-driven templates and schedule posts. A built-in Lucene search engine indexes weblog entry content, and Roller supports blog clients that use the MetaWeblog API. Blogs provide RSS 2.0 and Atom 1.0 feeds for entries and comments, as well as analytics tracking keys and blog-entry Meta description elements. The installation guide covers deployment on Tomcat with MySQL, though users have also reported success with other app servers and databases. Roller is available at no charge under the Apache License, with binary and source distributions. It is self-hosted, with web and API platforms listed. Project support comes from volunteers through a user mailing list and issue tracker. Security fixes apply to the current release line; older versions are not patched in place.

Who it suits

Apache Roller suits people or organizations running self-hosted blog sites that need group permissions, scheduled publishing, and customizable templates. It can also fit teams that want a Java-based blog server and can manage deployment.

What it does well

Supports multi-user and group blogs
Group roles include owner, editor, and drafter
Posts can be scheduled
Built-in Lucene search indexes blog entries
Available free under the Apache License

What to know first

Self-hosted deployment is required
Volunteer project support is provided through mailing list and issue tracker
Older releases are not patched in place

Limits

The free Apache Roller plan costs nothing and includes binary and source distributions. Security fixes are made on the current release line; older releases do not receive in-place patches.

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
Apache Roller	no charge · source and binary distributions · self-hosted deployment	Free

As roller.apache.org lists them, read 15 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Visit the Apache Roller website
Obtain a binary or source distribution
Deploy Roller on Tomcat with MySQL
Configure web or API access for the installation
Set up templates, permissions, and blog settings

Verdict

Apache Roller offers blog publishing features for self-hosted sites, including group permissions, templates, feeds, and search. Its release-line security policy makes staying on the current release important.

Questions

How much does Apache Roller cost?

The Apache Roller plan is free. It is available at no charge under the Apache License, with binary and source distributions.

Which platforms does Apache Roller support?

The listed platforms are web, API, and self-hosted.

Can teams manage group blogs?

Yes. Group blogging provides owner, editor, and drafter permission levels.

What feeds can Roller provide?

Blogs can provide RSS 2.0 and Atom 1.0 feeds for entries and comments.

How is Roller deployed?

The installation guide covers Tomcat with MySQL. Users have also reported success with other application servers and databases.

Where can users get support?

Project-hosted support is available through the user mailing list and issue tracker, with volunteers providing support.

Facts from Apache Roller's own pages

API protocols: The documentation describes Blogger and MetaWeblog XML-RPC plus the Atom Publishing Protocol for remote publishing. · fossies.org, 15 Oct 2026
Blog analytics: Yes · roller.apache.org, 22 Sept 2026
Comment controls: Roller includes comment moderation and spam-prevention measures. · roller.apache.org, 15 Oct 2026
Comments: Roller supports comment moderation and comment spam prevention measures. · roller.apache.org, 11 Oct 2026
Current release: The official downloads page identifies Roller 6.1.6 as the best available general-availability release. · roller.apache.org, 15 Oct 2026
Deployment: The installation guide covers deployment on Tomcat with MySQL; users have also reported success with other app servers and databases. · roller.apache.org, 11 Oct 2026
Deployment model: Roller is a database-driven Java web application intended for deployment on a servlet container such as Tomcat. · fossies.org, 15 Oct 2026
Developer extensibility: Apache developer resources cover RSS, Atom, XML-RPC, web-service automation, plugins, JRuby feeds and planet-server integrations. · cwiki.apache.org, 15 Oct 2026
Document formats: Current project documentation is maintained in AsciiDoc and includes installation, user and template guides. · github.com, 15 Oct 2026
Feeds: Blogs publish entry and comment feeds in RSS 2.0 and Atom 1.0. · roller.apache.org, 15 Oct 2026
Feeds and SEO: Blogs provide RSS 2.0 and Atom 1.0 entry and comment feeds, plus analytics tracking keys and blog-entry Meta description elements. · roller.apache.org, 11 Oct 2026
Free plan: Yes · roller.apache.org, 22 Sept 2026
Group permissions: Group blogs provide owner, editor and drafter permission levels. · roller.apache.org, 15 Oct 2026
Integrations: Roller supports blog clients that support the MetaWeblog API. · roller.apache.org, 11 Oct 2026
License: Apache Roller is distributed under the Apache License, Version 2.0. · roller.apache.org, 15 Oct 2026
Limit: implementation effort: G2 reviewers say integrations and customization can require specialized technical skills. · g2.com, 15 Oct 2026
Limit: technical support: G2 reviewers complain that troubleshooting help and third-party forums are limited. · g2.com, 15 Oct 2026
Limit: usability: G2 reviewers describe the interface as dated or non-flashy and report a steep learning curve. · g2.com, 15 Oct 2026
Maker founding year: LinkedIn lists the Apache Software Foundation as founded in 1999. · linkedin.com, 15 Oct 2026
Maker headquarters: LinkedIn lists the Apache Software Foundation headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware. · linkedin.com, 15 Oct 2026
Maker identity: The Apache Software Foundation is the nonprofit organization behind the project. · linkedin.com, 15 Oct 2026
Maker size: LinkedIn lists the Apache Software Foundation company size as 5,001–10,000 employees. · linkedin.com, 15 Oct 2026
Praise: integration: G2 reviewers report that Roller can integrate with external systems and APIs to extend publishing workflows. · g2.com, 15 Oct 2026
Praise: multi-user blogging: G2 reviewers value its group-blogging, multi-user management and ability to handle substantial content volumes. · g2.com, 15 Oct 2026

Where Apache Roller stands on Freedom251

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