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Mura CMS
What Mura CMS is
Mura CMS is a free, open-source, self-hosted web content management and digital experience platform. Its editor supports creating, editing, previewing, drafting, publishing, and organizing website content. Listed capabilities include editorial workflows, custom user roles, multilingual content, SEO tools, a media library, and custom content types. Teams can use categories, local collections, remote RSS feeds, reusable components, forms, comments, and a file manager, with most modules enabled or disabled per site. One installation can host one, several, or many individual websites. Content Staging Manager and Change Sets can publish multiple updates together at a specified date and time. For headless projects, Mura provides a JSON API and Mura JS framework, with decoupled sites using React, Angular, Vue JS, or plain JavaScript. Installation uses a ColdFusion or Lucee administrator and a database datasource, so it runs in a server environment. Mura permissions provide role-based access levels, and documentation describes BCrypt password processing, CSRF tokens, and an optional administrative audit trail. The software is licensed under GNU GPL version 2 with a stated exception for independent plugins, themes, and bundles.
Who it suits
It suits organizations wanting a self-hosted CMS with workflows, role controls, multilingual publishing, SEO, media management, and headless delivery. It is also aimed at contributors who manage content without routinely calling the IT team.
What it does well
- Free and open-source under GNU GPL version 2
- Supports multilingual content and custom content types
- One installation can host multiple websites
- Provides JSON API and Mura JS framework
- Includes editorial workflows and staging tools
What to know first
- Self-hosted installation requires server administration
- Installation uses ColdFusion or Lucee and a database
- Some integrations are listed as not currently supported
- Professional support contracts are separate
Verdict
Mura CMS combines traditional publishing, multi-site hosting, staging, permissions, and headless APIs in a self-hosted package. Its deployment requirements and server responsibilities should be considered alongside its open-source licensing and content tools.
Facts from Mura CMS's own pages
- Access control
- Mura supports permissions for CMS functions and website content, as well as custom approval chains. · docs.murasoftware.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Audit trail
- Mura 10 documentation describes an optional admin audit trail that tracks administrative actions and can be filtered and searched. · docs.murasoftware.com, 12 Oct 2026
- CMS and experience platform
- Mura describes itself as a business enablement platform for digital solutions. · murasoftware.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Content editing
- Its web editor lets users create and edit website content, and the product includes a file manager for site assets. · docs.murasoftware.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Content staging
- The Content Staging Manager and Change Sets let users publish multiple content changes at the same date and time. · docs.murasoftware.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Content tools
- Mura includes categories, local content collections, remote RSS feeds, reusable components, forms, comments, and a file manager; most modules can be enabled or disabled per site. · docs.murasoftware.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Custom content types
- Yes · murasoftware.com, 22 Sept 2026
- Custom user roles
- Yes · murasoftware.com, 22 Sept 2026
- Editorial workflows
- Yes · murasoftware.com, 22 Sept 2026
- Forms and collections
- Mura includes optional Forms Manager and Collections Manager modules that can be enabled in site settings. · docs.murasoftware.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Headless API
- Mura provides a JSON API and Mura JS framework for building decoupled websites and JavaScript clients. · docs.murasoftware.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Headless delivery
- Mura supports decoupled websites through a JSON API and Mura JS framework. · docs.murasoftware.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Hosting requirement
- The documented installation process uses a ColdFusion or Lucee administrator and a database datasource, so Mura is installed on a server environment. · docs.murasoftware.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Mura plugins can extend the CMS and integrate existing or legacy applications; developers can also build decoupled front ends using JavaScript frameworks or vanilla JavaScript. · docs.murasoftware.com, 12 Oct 2026
- JavaScript frameworks
- Mura documentation says decoupled websites can use React, Angular, Vue JS, or plain JavaScript. · docs.murasoftware.com, 12 Oct 2026
- License
- Mura CMS is licensed under GNU GPL version 2 with a special exception for independent plugins, themes, and bundles subject to stated conditions. · docs.murasoftware.com, 12 Oct 2026
- License and plugins
- Mura CMS is licensed under GNU GPL version 2 with a special exception for independently distributed plugins, themes, and bundles subject to stated guidelines. · docs.murasoftware.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Media library
- Yes · murasoftware.com, 22 Sept 2026
- Multilingual content
- Yes · murasoftware.com, 22 Sept 2026
- Multi-site
- A single Mura instance can be configured to support one or multiple individual websites. · docs.murasoftware.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Multi-site hosting
- A single Mura installation can support one, several, or many individual websites. · docs.murasoftware.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Password security
- Mura’s configuration documentation says BCrypt password processing is enabled by default. · docs.murasoftware.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Platform type
- self_hosted · murasoftware.com, 22 Sept 2026
- Product
- Mura describes itself as a web-based digital experience platform for delivering content-driven experiences across web and mobile. · docs.murasoftware.com, 12 Oct 2026
Where Mura CMS stands on Freedom251
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