CMDBuild

CMDBuild is open-source software for creating web-based asset-management applications. It suits organizations with staff able to configure and maintain a server; its depth is appealing, but it is not a ready-made CMDB out of the box.

The free AGPL software offers extensive control over asset records, workflows, integrations, and permissions. That flexibility comes with meaningful setup work: users must provide the server environment and build the data model, workflows, reports, and dashboards themselves.

Overview

CMDBuild supports asset databases that track composition, location, functional relationships, updates, and lifecycle. It can also handle service and dependency mapping, discovery imports, and ownership tracking. Its on-premises deployment and browser interface suit organizations that want control over their environment, provided they can operate the underlying infrastructure.

The standard download is a configurable foundation, not a populated application. Organizations wanting a preconfigured instance can look to READY2USE, while those seeking a turnkey starting point should weigh the setup burden before choosing CMDBuild.

Key features

Administrators can model databases and design workflows, reports, and dashboards, alongside task management and scheduling. File import and export, document archives, history, and GIS and BIM support extend the system beyond basic asset inventories. Together, these tools give teams room to represent complex environments, but they also put responsibility for designing useful structures and processes on the organization.

REST services let other applications read and write records, run operations, and exchange notifications. The connectors can link asset data with staff, ERP, infrastructure, monitoring, and IoT systems, making CMDBuild relevant where the CMDB must fit into a broader estate. The breadth is valuable, though integrations still depend on implementation work.

Permissions can be assigned through roles and narrowed to classes, rows, columns, processes, views, filters, reports, and dashboards. Authentication choices include local accounts, LDAP, CAS, SAML 2.0, ADFS 4 through SAML, HTTP proxy headers, and custom OAuth2. Multitenant deployments can isolate tenants in separate databases or divide some data while sharing other information, giving administrators options for access and separation.

Pricing

The CMDBuild plan costs nothing. It is open-source software under the GNU Affero GPL (AGPL), and can be used, distributed, and edited subject to the maker's stated legal notice and logo requirements for modified versions. There is no paid tier described in this plan; subscription support is a separate service.

The free plan has no stated seat or usage cap, but it is not a hosted service: self-hosting and server setup are required. It also excludes the data model, workflows, reports, and dashboards, so the initial software cost does not remove the effort of configuring a working system. Community forum assistance and maintainer contact are support routes; subscriptions add assistance, upgrades, bug fixes, a certified appliance, a mobile app, and interoperability connectors.

Platforms

CMDBuild is browser-accessed software for self-hosted web servers, with Linux, macOS, and Windows among its listed platforms. Its stated minimum hardware is a server-class computer with 16 GB of RAM, 150 GB of disk per instance, and four cores; software requirements are PostgreSQL 17.x, Tomcat 10, and Java 17. The maker also says web-server setup knowledge is required, so this is a substantial operational commitment rather than a lightweight desktop installation.

Who it's for

CMDBuild is a strong fit for organizations that need to shape asset records and processes around their own environment, connect them to other systems, and administer finely scoped access. It is less suitable for small teams without server expertise or for buyers who need populated workflows and reports immediately. Those users may find the configuration and operating requirements outweigh the benefit of customization.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Broad modeling, workflow, reporting, mapping, and integration tools support custom asset-management applications.
• Pros: Detailed role-based permission scopes and multiple authentication options support differentiated access.
• Pros: AGPL software is free to use, distribute, and edit subject to the stated conditions.
• Cons: Server setup knowledge and substantial minimum hardware and software requirements raise the bar for adoption.
• Cons: The standard download omits the data model, workflows, reports, and dashboards, leaving teams to configure core application content.

Alternatives

Compare CMDB software if you want to consider a wider range of products. BlueKing CMDB is another free option, with a community edition that includes one-click deployment, automated operations, a user community, and documentation. teemIP offers a free community plan and open-source code, with GitHub, wiki, and forum access.

GLPI is worth considering if a hosted public-cloud option is useful: its public cloud plan starts at €19 a month per IT agent and includes 5 GB disk and a 20 MB maximum attachment size. Hornbill IT Asset Management offers personalized pricing tailored to requirements. ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus has a Standard plan at $13 a month for IT help desk and a Professional plan at $27 a month that adds asset management.

OpenText Universal Discovery and CMDB prices its license according to environment and deployment needs. USU Knowledge Management is a modular enterprise solution with custom pricing. DemandFlow ITSM is another paid option.

Verdict

Choose CMDBuild if your organization can run a server and wants an adaptable, free foundation for asset management, integrations, and tightly controlled access. Its main advantage is configurability; its main drawback is that teams must supply both the infrastructure and much of the application structure. Look elsewhere if you need a ready-to-use or hosted CMDB with less setup.