Freedom251 › Content Management Systems
NetCommons
What NetCommons is
NetCommons is free, open-source software for information sharing that combines a website, groupware, membership site, e-learning system, and portal site. Pages are assembled from blocks showing plugin or portlet information. Registered users can rearrange blocks, add or remove functions, and change designs in setting mode. Access can be separated into public rooms, group rooms for registered users, and private rooms for one person. Room pages can include bulletin boards, blogs, shared cabinets, quizzes, surveys, and ToDo management. NetCommons3 includes smartphone support and a video plugin as standard features. It uses the FreeBSD license and is installed on self-hosted infrastructure. Published requirements include PHP 5.4 or PHP 7.x, MySQL 5.5 or later, Apache, and mod_rewrite. Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge are supported, with current versions recommended. The listed release is NetCommons3.3.7.
Who it suits
It suits organizations needing self-hosted sites with collaboration, membership, learning, and portal functions. Schools and similar institutions can consider the related edumap service described by the maker.
What it does well
- FreeBSD-licensed open source
- Public, group, and private rooms
- Blocks support flexible page layouts
- Includes collaboration and learning tools
- Smartphone and video support
What to know first
- Requires self-hosting
- Published requirements include older PHP versions
- NetCommons2 support has ended
- Current listed release is 3.3.7
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| NetCommons3 | FreeBSD-licensed open-source software · self-hosted installation | Free |
As netcommons.org lists them, read 12 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
NetCommons provides a broad, block-based platform for sites and shared workspaces without a license charge. Self-hosting and its stated server requirements mean administrators must manage deployment and maintenance.
Facts from NetCommons's own pages
- Access control
- Pages can be assigned to public rooms, group rooms for registered users, or private rooms accessible only to the individual user. · netcommons.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Access controls
- Rooms can be public, accessible to registered users, or private to an individual user. · netcommons.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Browser support
- The download page lists Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge as supported browsers and recommends using their latest versions. · netcommons.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Collaboration features
- Room pages can include bulletin boards, blogs, shared cabinets, quizzes, surveys, and ToDo management. · netcommons.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Current release
- The download page lists NetCommons3.3.7 as the available version. · netcommons.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Deployment requirements
- The published server requirements include PHP 5.4 or PHP 7.x, MySQL 5.5 or later, and Apache with mod_rewrite. · netcommons.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Editorial workflows
- Yes · netcommons.org, 23 Sept 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · netcommons.org, 23 Sept 2026
- Hosting requirements
- The listed server requirements include PHP 5.4 or PHP 7.x, MySQL 5.5 or later, Apache, and its mod_rewrite module. · netcommons.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The official site describes edumap, based on NetCommons3, as a school website service for schools including kindergartens, nursery schools, and international schools. · netcommons.org, 12 Oct 2026
- License
- NetCommons3 is open-source software released under the FreeBSD license. · netcommons.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Media library
- Yes · netcommons.org, 23 Sept 2026
- Mobile and video
- The site says NetCommons3 includes smartphone support and a video plugin as a standard feature. · netcommons.org, 12 Oct 2026
- NetCommons2 status
- The official site says maintenance and support for NetCommons2 have ended and recommends that educational institutions using it consider moving to edumap. · netcommons.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Page building
- Sites use pages made of blocks that can display plugin or portlet information, and registered users can rearrange blocks, add or remove functions, and change designs in setting mode. · netcommons.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Platform type
- self_hosted · netcommons.org, 23 Sept 2026
- Product
- NetCommons is an information-sharing platform that combines a website, groupware, membership site, e-learning system, and portal site. · netcommons.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Product scope
- NetCommons is described as a next-generation information-sharing system combining a website, groupware, membership site, e-learning, and portal site. · netcommons.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Support and security reporting
- The official site accepts reports about NetCommons3 bugs and security concerns through its contact form and points technical users to GitHub issues. · netcommons.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Support and security reports
- The official contact page accepts reports about NetCommons3 bugs and security concerns and directs technical reports to GitHub issues. · netcommons.org, 12 Oct 2026
Where NetCommons stands on Freedom251
- Content Management Systems#117 of 165