Freedom251 › Blogging Platforms
Dotclear
by Dotclear
What Dotclear is
Dotclear is free, self-hosted blogging software for publishing and managing blogs. It supports editorial workflows, multilingual content, SEO tools, and a media library. Installation requires downloading an archive, uploading files to web space, and running a browser-based wizard; a web host and database are required. A theme editor changes appearance, while drag-and-drop widgets manage the navigation area. The official plugin repository lists 153 registered extensions covering APIs, translations, featured media, and external-media embedding. It includes a public API plugin and a Ping Mastodon plugin for publishing statuses to a configured Mastodon instance. The Sitemaps plugin helps search-engine indexing. Users can create multiple blogs manually, configuring each separately. Dotclear is released under the GNU Affero General Public License version 3 or later. The project began in 2003 and provides manuals, administration and developer resources, designer resources, and a forum.
Who it suits
Dotclear suits people who want free blogging software they can host themselves. It can also fit publishers needing multilingual content, editorial tools, plugins, and multiple separately configured blogs.
What it does well
- Free software under AGPLv3 or later
- Supports multilingual content and editorial workflows
- Includes theme editor and navigation widgets
- 153 registered plugins listed
- Allows multiple blogs
What to know first
- Requires a web host and database
- Self-hosted installation is required
- No automated hosting-platform setup script
- Security of personal data is not guaranteed
Limits
The free Dotclear plan is self-hosted blog software and requires a web host and database. The project does not provide a script to automate setting up a blog hosting platform.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Dotclear | Self-hosted blog software; requires a web host and database | Free |
As dotclear.org lists them, read 12 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit the Dotclear website.
- Download a Dotclear archive in ZIP or TAR.GZ format.
- Upload the files to web space with a web host and database.
- Run the installation wizard in a browser.
Verdict
Dotclear offers a broad free blogging toolkit for users comfortable managing their own hosting. Its themes, widgets, plugins, and multiple-blog support add flexibility, while installation and server responsibility remain with the user.
Questions
How much does Dotclear cost?
The Dotclear plan is free. Dotclear is free software under the GNU Affero General Public License, version 3 or later.
What do I need to install Dotclear?
You need a web host and database. Download an archive, upload its files to web space, and run the installation wizard in a browser.
Can I manage multiple blogs?
Yes. You can create multiple blogs manually through the interface, with each blog created and configured separately.
What platforms does Dotclear support?
Its listed platforms are self-hosted and web.
Does Dotclear have plugins and integrations?
Its repository lists 153 registered plugins, including a public API plugin and Ping Mastodon, which can publish statuses to a configured Mastodon instance.
Who makes Dotclear, and what support is available?
Dotclear is made by Dotclear and dates to 2003. Its resources include a user manual, administration guide, developer and designer materials, and a forum.
Facts from Dotclear's own pages
- API
- The plugin repository lists a Dotclear public API plugin described as serving a blog through an API. · dotclear.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Documentation and support
- The project README points users to a user manual, administration guide, and developer and designer resources; the official site also provides a forum. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Downloads
- The official download directory offers Dotclear 2.39.3 as ZIP and TAR.GZ archives. · download.dotclear.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Editorial workflows
- Yes · dotclear.org, 22 Sept 2026
- Extensions
- The official plugin repository lists 153 registered plugins, including plugins for APIs, featured media, translations, and external media embedding. · dotclear.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Founded
- 2003 · dotclear.org, 28 Sept 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · dotclear.org, 22 Sept 2026
- Hosted platform limit
- The FAQ says the project does not provide a script to automate setting up a blog hosting platform. · dotclear.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Installation
- The standard installation instructions say to download the archive, upload the files to web space, and run the installation wizard in a browser. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The plugin repository includes Ping Mastodon, which can publish statuses to a configured Mastodon instance. · dotclear.org, 12 Oct 2026
- License
- The project README says Dotclear is free software under the GNU Affero General Public License, version 3 or later. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Media library
- Yes · dotclear.org, 22 Sept 2026
- Multilingual content
- Yes · dotclear.org, 22 Sept 2026
- Multiple blogs
- Dotclear allows users to create multiple blogs manually from its interface, with each blog created and configured separately. · dotclear.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Organization
- The project describes Association Dotclear as a French nonprofit association governed by the 1901 law, supporting the software’s development and maintenance. · dotclear.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Platform type
- self_hosted · dotclear.org, 22 Sept 2026
- Product
- Dotclear is blogging software for publishing a blog. · dotclear.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Search visibility
- The FAQ says the Sitemaps plugin facilitates search engine indexing of a blog. · dotclear.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Security and privacy
- The site’s terms say it cannot guarantee the security of personal data because they are available to anyone with physical access to its server. · dotclear.org, 12 Oct 2026
- SEO tools
- Yes · dotclear.org, 22 Sept 2026
- Themes
- Dotclear provides a theme editor for changing a blog’s appearance. · dotclear.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Widgets
- Widgets can be added or removed from a blog’s navigation area using drag and drop in blog management. · dotclear.org, 12 Oct 2026
Where Dotclear stands on Freedom251
- Blogging Platforms#31 of 125
- Content Management Systems#91 of 165