Freedom251 › Content Management Systems
DNN
by DNN
What DNN is
DNN is a free, open-source content management system for the Microsoft stack. Organizations can use it to create marketing sites, online stores, member communities, intranets, knowledge bases, customer portals, and networks of sites. Editors get inline WYSIWYG editing, drafts, approval workflows, version history, multilingual localization, and media management. Multiple sites can run on one host and share access to existing themes and modules. Developers can create modules, themes, and integrations through APIs and extension points. Administration includes page- and module-level permissions and an admin log that can record more than 130 event types. Google Analytics and Azure are default connectors; Marketo, HubSpot, and SharePoint can also be connected. DNN has no built-in analytics solution, though extensions can add one. It is self-hosted and available on web and Windows. DNN Platform 10 requires Windows with IIS, .NET Framework 4.8 or later, and Microsoft SQL Server or Azure SQL Database.
Who it suits
DNN suits organizations building content-rich sites or multiple web properties that need custom roles, multilingual content, and editorial approvals. It is for teams able to meet its Windows, IIS, .NET, and SQL hosting requirements.
What it does well
- Free, open-source platform under the MIT License.
- Supports multilingual localization and editorial approvals.
- Runs multiple sites on one host.
- Provides page- and module-level permissions.
- APIs and extension points support custom modules and themes.
What to know first
- DNN Platform 10 requires Windows with IIS.
- Requires .NET Framework 4.8 or later and SQL Server or Azure SQL.
- No built-in analytics solution; extensions are needed.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| DNN Platform | Free to use perpetually under the MIT License · Open-source CMS · Runs on Windows/IIS with .NET Framework and SQL Server or Azure SQL | Free |
As dnncommunity.org lists them, read 11 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
DNN combines site management, editorial workflows, and extensibility for Microsoft-stack environments. Check its hosting requirements and analytics limitation before choosing it.
Facts from DNN's own pages
- Analytics limit
- DNN supports Google Analytics but does not include a built-in analytics solution; extensions can add that capability. · dnncommunity.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Custom content types
- Yes · dnncommunity.org, 22 Sept 2026
- Custom user roles
- Yes · dnncommunity.org, 22 Sept 2026
- Download
- The community site says the latest DNN Platform release installer can be downloaded from GitHub. · dnncommunity.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Editing
- Content editors can use inline WYSIWYG editing, drafts, approvals, version history, multilingual localization, and media management. · dnncommunity.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Editorial workflows
- Yes · dnncommunity.org, 22 Sept 2026
- Extensibility
- Developers can build modules, themes, and integrations using APIs and extension points, with module and theme packaging described as CI/CD-friendly. · dnncommunity.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Founded
- 2002 · dnncommunity.org, 28 Sept 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · dnncommunity.org, 22 Sept 2026
- Integrations
- The features page names Google Analytics and Azure as default connectors and says Marketo, HubSpot, and SharePoint can be connected. · dnncommunity.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Media library
- Yes · dnncommunity.org, 22 Sept 2026
- Multilingual content
- Yes · dnncommunity.org, 22 Sept 2026
- Multi-site
- DNN supports running multiple sites on one host with access to existing themes and modules. · dnncommunity.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Permissions and audit
- DNN provides page and module level permissions, content version history, and an admin log that can record more than 130 event types. · dnncommunity.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Platform type
- self_hosted · dnncommunity.org, 22 Sept 2026
- Privacy and compliance
- The features page states that DNN is GDPR compliant and says additional work is needed by users for full compliance. · dnncommunity.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Product
- DNN Platform is a free, open-source content management system for the Microsoft stack. · dnncommunity.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Requirements
- DNN Platform 10 requires Windows with IIS, .NET Framework 4.8 or later, and a Microsoft SQL Server database or Azure SQL Database. · docs.dnncommunity.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Security
- The DNN Security page lists security bulletins by platform version and directs suspected unlisted issues to its GitHub security policy. · dnncommunity.org, 11 Oct 2026
- SEO tools
- Yes · dnncommunity.org, 22 Sept 2026
- Support
- The community site offers forums for community support and provides documentation, forums, and events for contributors and users. · dnncommunity.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Use cases
- DNN is used to build marketing sites, online stores, member communities, intranets, knowledge bases, customer portals, and multi-site networks. · dnncommunity.org, 11 Oct 2026
Where DNN stands on Freedom251
- Content Management Systems#34 of 165