OpenCms

Name: OpenCms
Author: OpenCms

Free plan APILinuxSelf-hostedWeb

What OpenCms is

OpenCms is a free, self-hosted Java and XML content management system for building and editing websites. Editors work in a browser and can create pages with drag-and-drop tools, edit content inline, or use a form-based editor. One installation can centrally manage hundreds of websites, with subsites and user access configured by site. The database-backed repository supports MariaDB/MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle, MSSQL, and DB2. Content can be reached through WebDAV, CMIS, an SMB network share, the web interface, or a headless REST API.

OpenCms includes editorial workflows, multilingual content, SEO tools, a media library, and custom content types; custom user roles are not included. The current release, OpenCms 22, is dated October 6, 2026, and supports Jakarta EE and servlet containers such as Tomcat 10 and Jetty 12. It offers optional SHA-512-based deduplicating media storage that can move binary content to S3-compatible object storage. The included responsive Mercury template is based on Bootstrap. Alkacon OCEE offers LDAP/AD integration with permissions, clustering, and database replication. The maker, OpenCms, is headquartered in Cologne, Germany, and was founded in 2005.

Who it suits

OpenCms suits organizations building large internet or intranet applications, particularly those managing many websites and centralized user access. It is a fit for teams comfortable with self-hosting that need multilingual publishing, editorial workflows, and several content access routes.

What it does well

Free software is downloadable and usable without license fees.
A single installation can centrally manage hundreds of websites.
Editors can use drag-and-drop, inline, or form-based editing.
Content is accessible through WebDAV, CMIS, SMB, web, and REST.
Supports multilingual content, editorial workflows, SEO tools, and custom content types.

What to know first

Custom user roles are not available.
Core bug fixing is exclusive to Premium Support subscribers.
The 10-incident support package excludes OpenCms core bug fixing.

Limits

The OpenCms software is free, with no license fees. The 10 Incident Support Package costs €2,500, paid once, covers 10 incidents for 12 months from purchase, and excludes core bug fixing; Premium Support includes unlimited incidents, two named contacts, and core and OCEE bug fixing for €5,000 a year.

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
OpenCms	LGPL free software · downloadable and usable without license fees	Free
OpenCms Consulting	1000 € (plus travel expenses) per day of OpenCms consulting · Per-day consulting	€1,000, paid once
10 Incident Support Package	2500 € for 10 incidents, valid for 12 months from purchase date · 10 incidents · no OpenCms core bug-fixing service	€2,500, paid once
Premium Support Subscription	5000 € for 12 months of premium support · Unlimited incidents · 2 named contacts · core and OCEE bug fixing	€5,000 a year

As opencms.org lists them, read 9 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Visit the OpenCms website.
Download the free OpenCms software.
Deploy it as a self-hosted installation.
Use the browser-based editors to create pages and manage content.
Choose a support option if needed: consulting is €1,000, paid once, the 10 Incident Support Package is €2,500, paid once, or Premium Support is €5,000 a year.

Verdict

Choose OpenCms if your organization needs a free, self-hosted system for managing many websites centrally, with multiple editing and content-access options. Look elsewhere if custom user roles are essential; for core bug fixing, the listed support option is Premium Support at €5,000 a year.

Questions

Is OpenCms free?

Yes. The OpenCms plan costs nothing, and the software is downloadable and usable without license fees.

Where can OpenCms run?

Its listed platforms are API, Linux, self-hosted, and web. OpenCms 22 supports Jakarta EE and servlet containers including Tomcat 10 and Jetty 12.

How can editors work with content?

Editors can build pages with drag and drop, edit inline, or use a form-based editor in a browser.

What databases does it support?

Its database-backed repository supports MariaDB/MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle, MSSQL, and DB2.

What support plans are offered?

Consulting costs €1,000, paid once. The 10 Incident Support Package costs €2,500, paid once; Premium Support costs €5,000 a year and includes core and OCEE bug fixing.

Facts from OpenCms's own pages

Content access: Content can be accessed through WebDAV, CMIS, an SMB network share, the web interface, or a headless REST API. · opencms.org, 9 Oct 2026
Current release: OpenCms 22, dated October 6, 2026, supports Jakarta EE and servlet containers including Tomcat 10 and Jetty 12. · opencms.org, 9 Oct 2026
Custom content types: Yes · opencms.org, 22 Sept 2026
Custom user roles: No · opencms.org, 22 Sept 2026
Databases: The database-backed repository supports MariaDB/MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle, MSSQL, and DB2. · opencms.org, 9 Oct 2026
Editing: Editors work in a browser and can build pages with drag and drop, edit inline, or switch to a form-based editor. · opencms.org, 9 Oct 2026
Editorial workflows: Yes · opencms.org, 22 Sept 2026
Enterprise integrations: Alkacon OCEE offers an LDAP connector for integrating LDAP/AD directories with OpenCms permissions, plus clustering and database replication. · alkacon.com, 9 Oct 2026
Founded: 2005 · opencms.org, 19 Oct 2026
Free plan: Yes · opencms.org, 22 Sept 2026
Headquarters: Cologne, Germany · opencms.org, 19 Oct 2026
Included template: OpenCms is distributed with the responsive Mercury template, which is based on Bootstrap. · opencms.org, 9 Oct 2026
Intended projects: The maker describes OpenCms as suited to large internet or intranet applications, including installations with many websites and centralized user administration. · opencms.org, 9 Oct 2026
Maker: Alkacon Software develops OpenCms and is located in Cologne, Germany. · alkacon.com, 9 Oct 2026
Media library: Yes · opencms.org, 22 Sept 2026
Media storage: OpenCms 22 adds an optional SHA-512-based deduplicating media storage engine that can move binary content to S3-compatible object storage. · opencms.org, 9 Oct 2026
Multilingual content: Yes · opencms.org, 22 Sept 2026
Multi-site management: One installation can centrally manage hundreds of websites, with subsites and user access configured by site. · opencms.org, 9 Oct 2026
Platform type: self_hosted · opencms.org, 22 Sept 2026
Purpose: OpenCms is a Java and XML content management system for creating and editing websites. · opencms.org, 9 Oct 2026
Security reporting: Alkacon provides a form for reporting security issues in OpenCms, OCEE, and its other products, and says it will try to respond quickly. · alkacon.com, 9 Oct 2026
SEO tools: Yes · opencms.org, 22 Sept 2026
Support: Premium support targets mission-critical projects, guarantees a response within the next business day, and includes core and OCEE bug fixing. · alkacon.com, 9 Oct 2026
Support limitation: The 10-incident support package does not include OpenCms core bug fixing; that service is exclusive to Premium Support subscribers. · alkacon.com, 9 Oct 2026