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Backdrop CMS
by Backdrop CMS
What Backdrop CMS is
Backdrop CMS is a free, open-source, self-hosted content management system for building websites. It supports editorial workflows, custom content types, custom user roles, multilingual content, SEO tools, and a media library. The system can power blogs, image galleries, social networks, intranets, and other websites. Core includes Views, pattern-based URL aliases, and administration tools. More than 1,300 modules, themes, and layouts are listed, and an API supports custom code or contributed modules. Backdrop sites are responsive, and administrators can create or edit content from phones or tablets. A Drupal 7 upgrade path is included; the project says 97 of the top 100 Drupal 7 modules are ready. Requirements include PHP 7.1.0 or higher, MySQL 5.5.0 or higher with PDO, Apache or Nginx, and at least 15 MB of disk space. Documentation, a community forum, weekly virtual office hours, and live chat resources provide support. Backdrop is GPL v2 or higher, and core security releases cover the last two minor releases or eight months.
Who it suits
Backdrop CMS suits small and medium businesses, nonprofits, educational institutions, and other organizations needing a comprehensive self-hosted website. It is especially relevant to Drupal 7 users seeking the stated upgrade path.
What it does well
- Free and open source
- Editorial workflows and custom content types
- Multilingual content and SEO tools
- More than 1,300 add-ons listed
- Responsive sites editable on mobile
What to know first
- Self-hosted setup required
- Requires PHP, MySQL, and web server
- Security coverage limited to stated window
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Backdrop CMS | Free and open source · no acquisition fees or licensing costs | Free |
As backdropcms.org lists them, read 11 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
Backdrop CMS offers a broad, no-cost toolkit for organizations managing self-hosted websites. Its customization, add-on ecosystem, responsive administration, and Drupal 7 migration path are balanced by server requirements and ongoing maintenance responsibilities.
Facts from Backdrop CMS's own pages
- Add-ons
- The site lists more than 1,300 modules, themes, and layouts available for Backdrop. · backdropcms.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Content types
- It can be used to create blogs, image galleries, social networks, intranets, and other websites. · backdropcms.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Customization
- Backdrop provides an API and can be modified with custom code or contributed modules. · backdropcms.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Custom content types
- Yes · backdropcms.org, 20 Sept 2026
- Custom user roles
- Yes · backdropcms.org, 20 Sept 2026
- Drupal migration
- Backdrop includes an upgrade path from Drupal 7, and the project says 97 of the top 100 Drupal 7 modules are ready for Backdrop. · backdropcms.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Editorial workflows
- Yes · backdropcms.org, 20 Sept 2026
- Features
- Views, automatic pattern-based URL aliases, and administration tools are included in core. · backdropcms.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Founded
- 2015 · backdropcms.org, 28 Sept 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · backdropcms.org, 20 Sept 2026
- Intended users
- Backdrop identifies small and medium businesses, nonprofits, educational institutions, and other organizations needing a comprehensive website as its audience. · backdropcms.org, 11 Oct 2026
- License
- Backdrop is GPL v2 or higher software. · backdropcms.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Media library
- Yes · backdropcms.org, 20 Sept 2026
- Mobile
- Backdrop sites are responsive, and administrators can create and edit content from phones or tablets. · backdropcms.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Multilingual content
- Yes · backdropcms.org, 20 Sept 2026
- Platform type
- self_hosted · backdropcms.org, 20 Sept 2026
- Purpose
- Backdrop CMS is an open-source content management system for building websites on a reasonable budget. · backdropcms.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Requirements
- The download page lists PHP 7.1.0 or higher, MySQL 5.5.0 or higher with PDO, Apache or Nginx, and 15 MB minimum disk space. · backdropcms.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Security
- The Backdrop Security Team handles reports and coordinates fixes, and security issues should be reported privately by email. · backdropcms.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Security support window
- Core security releases cover the last two minor releases or the last eight months. · backdropcms.org, 11 Oct 2026
- SEO tools
- Yes · backdropcms.org, 20 Sept 2026
- Support
- The project provides documentation, a community forum, weekly virtual office hours, and live chat resources. · backdropcms.org, 11 Oct 2026
Where Backdrop CMS stands on Freedom251
- Content Management Systems#47 of 165