Orchard Core

Free plan APILinuxSelf-hostedWeb

What Orchard Core is

Orchard Core is a content management system for editors and an application framework for developers, built on ASP.NET Core. Editors can define content types, parts, and fields in the administration area without writing migrations. More than 90 modules include media management, workflows, localization, GraphQL, and multi-tenancy. A visual workflow editor can start processes from content events, HTTP requests, or timers, while role permissions can be tailored with controls provided by individual features. Content and the admin interface can be localized, and media tools support uploads, image resizing, remote storage, and folder permissions. OpenID Connect supports external sign-in and single sign-on, and two-factor authentication is included. A typed GraphQL API lets teams query content for headless sites and apps. One installation can host isolated sites with separate content, users, and settings on a shared codebase. Orchard Core is BSD-3-Clause licensed, community-led, and supported by the .NET Foundation. It can run from a template, join an existing ASP.NET Core app, or use its published Linux Docker image, and can be hosted wherever .NET runs. The project directs users to documentation, Discord, GitHub Discussions, and a weekly online meetup.

Who it suits

Orchard Core suits editors and developers building content-driven websites, headless back ends, intranets, or multi-tenant applications. It is a fit for teams working with ASP.NET Core and able to use community help and documentation.

What it does well

Free, open-source BSD-3-Clause license
More than 90 built-in modules
Typed GraphQL API for headless applications
One installation can run isolated sites
Includes two-factor authentication

What to know first

Built on ASP.NET Core
Support is directed to community channels and documentation
Hosting requires an environment where .NET runs

Limits

The free plan carries no license fees and no per-seat or per-site costs. Deployment is self-hosted, using a template, an ASP.NET Core application, or the published Linux Docker image.

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
Free, open-source	No license fees · no per-seat or per-site costs	Free

As orchardcore.net lists them, read 11 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Start from an Orchard Core template
Add Orchard Core to an existing ASP.NET Core app
Run the published Linux Docker image
Host the installation wherever .NET runs
Use community help through Discord or GitHub Discussions

Verdict

Orchard Core combines editorial CMS tools with an extensible application framework, including APIs, workflows, and multi-tenancy. Its free license and flexible deployment options are useful for .NET teams, while support is community-oriented.

Questions

How much does Orchard Core cost?

The Free, open-source plan costs nothing and has no license fees, per-seat costs, or per-site costs.

What platforms does it support?

It supports API, Linux, self-hosted, and web environments.

Is Orchard Core open source?

Yes. It is BSD-3-Clause licensed, community-led, and supported by the .NET Foundation.

Can it run multiple sites?

Yes. One installation can run isolated sites with separate content, users, and settings on a shared codebase.

Does it provide a headless API?

Yes. A typed GraphQL API lets teams query content for headless sites and apps.

Facts from Orchard Core's own pages

Access controls: Users can be assigned roles with fine-grained permissions, including permissions added by individual features. · orchardcore.net, 11 Oct 2026
Authentication: OpenID Connect supports external sign-in providers and single sign-on, and the product includes two-factor authentication. · orchardcore.net, 11 Oct 2026
Built-in modules: The project ships with over 90 modules, including content types, media management, workflows, localization, GraphQL, and multi-tenancy. · orchardcore.net, 11 Oct 2026
Content modeling: Editors can create content types, parts, and fields from the admin without writing migrations. · orchardcore.net, 11 Oct 2026
Custom content types: Yes · orchardcore.net, 22 Sept 2026
Custom user roles: Yes · orchardcore.net, 22 Sept 2026
Editorial workflows: Yes · orchardcore.net, 22 Sept 2026
Free plan: Yes · orchardcore.net, 22 Sept 2026
Headless API: A typed GraphQL API lets teams query content and build headless sites and apps. · orchardcore.net, 11 Oct 2026
Hosting and deployment: The project can be run from a template, added to an existing ASP.NET Core app, or run using its published Linux Docker image; it can be hosted anywhere .NET runs. · orchardcore.net, 11 Oct 2026
Intended use: The site describes use cases including content-driven websites, headless back ends, intranets, and large multi-tenant applications. · orchardcore.net, 11 Oct 2026
License and governance: Orchard Core is BSD-3-Clause licensed, community-led, and supported by the .NET Foundation; the site says no single company owns it. · orchardcore.net, 11 Oct 2026
Localization: The product can localize content and the admin interface, with culture pickers and per-user cultures. · orchardcore.net, 11 Oct 2026
Media: Media management can upload, process, and serve files, resize images on the fly, store files on remote providers, and restrict folders with permissions. · orchardcore.net, 11 Oct 2026
Media library: Yes · orchardcore.net, 22 Sept 2026
Multilingual content: Yes · orchardcore.net, 22 Sept 2026
Multi-tenancy: One installation can run isolated sites, each with its own content, users, and settings on a shared codebase. · orchardcore.net, 11 Oct 2026
Platform type: self_hosted · orchardcore.net, 22 Sept 2026
Product: Orchard Core is a CMS for editors and an application framework for developers, built on ASP.NET Core. · orchardcore.net, 11 Oct 2026
SEO tools: Yes · orchardcore.net, 22 Sept 2026
Support: The project points users to community help through Discord and GitHub Discussions, plus searchable documentation and a weekly online meetup. · orchardcore.net, 11 Oct 2026
Workflows: A visual workflow editor can trigger flows from content events, HTTP requests, or timers. · orchardcore.net, 11 Oct 2026

Where Orchard Core stands on Freedom251

Content Management Systems#20 of 165
CMS Tools#11 of 31