Freedom251 › Content Management Systems
PHP-Fusion
What PHP-Fusion is
PHP-Fusion is a free, self-hosted content management system for running websites and organizing content. Its core provides articles, news, blog posts, custom pages, FAQs, polls, forums, downloads, a photo gallery, private messaging and a shoutbox. Site managers can use editorial workflows, custom user roles, multilingual content, SEO tools and a media library. Themes change the site’s presentation, while Infusions act as plugins that add capabilities. PHPFusion Defender supplies automatic form sanitation and form-token support. PHPFusion 9 requires a web server with PHP and MySQL; the stated minimums are PHP 7.2.5, MySQL 5.6 or MariaDB 10.1, and mod_rewrite or an equivalent SEO method. The manual recommends a non-writable config.php, separate FTP and MySQL passwords, and only tested, approved addons. Dynamic user fields can connect to third-party services. Support is available through the development site’s forums, and downloads include manuals and Infusion SDKs. The software is released under GNU Affero GPL v3 without warranties.
Who it suits
PHP-Fusion suits people who want free, self-hosted website management with many built-in content types. It is also suited to teams needing workflows, custom roles, multilingual publishing and SEO tools.
What it does well
- Free software under GNU Affero GPL v3
- Includes articles, forums, galleries and blogs
- Supports editorial workflows and custom roles
- Offers multilingual content, SEO tools and media library
- Themes and Infusions extend the system
What to know first
- Requires a PHP and MySQL web server
- Minimum versions include PHP 7.2.5 and MySQL 5.6
- Self-hosted setup requires server administration
- Software is provided without warranties
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| PHPFusion CMS | Released as free software under GNU Affero GPL v3 | Free |
As phpfusion.com lists them, read 11 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
PHP-Fusion combines a broad set of publishing and community features in a free, self-hosted package. Its server requirements and security guidance matter when planning installation and maintenance.
Facts from PHP-Fusion's own pages
- Content tools
- The core includes private messaging, a photo gallery, custom pages, FAQs, polls, forums, downloads, articles, a blog, news, and a shoutbox. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Custom user roles
- Yes · phpfusion.com, 22 Sept 2026
- Downloads
- The official downloads page lists PHPFusion resources including manuals and Infusion SDKs for Core 7 and Core 9. · phpfusion.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Editorial workflows
- Yes · phpfusion.com, 22 Sept 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · phpfusion.com, 22 Sept 2026
- Integrations
- The manual describes dynamic user fields that can connect to third-party services, but does not name specific services. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- License
- The official site states PHPFusion is released as free software without warranties under GNU Affero GPL v3. · phpfusion.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Media library
- Yes · phpfusion.com, 22 Sept 2026
- Multilingual content
- Yes · phpfusion.com, 22 Sept 2026
- Platform type
- self_hosted · phpfusion.com, 22 Sept 2026
- Product
- PHPFusion describes itself as a versatile, scalable content management system for managing websites and content and design ideas. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Security features
- PHPFusion Defender is described as an automatic form sanitation system with form token support. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Security guidance
- The manual advises keeping config.php non-writable, using distinct FTP and MySQL passwords, and allowing only addons tested and approved as safe. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- SEO tools
- Yes · phpfusion.com, 22 Sept 2026
- Server requirements
- PHPFusion 9 requires a web server with PHP and MySQL; its minimum requirements specify PHP 7.2.5, MySQL 5.6 or MariaDB 10.1, and mod_rewrite or an equivalent for SEO. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Support
- The manual directs users with questions or problems to the PHPFusion development site’s support forums and describes the community as helpful. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Themes and extensions
- The product supports themes and Infusions, which its documentation describes as plugins that expand PHPFusion’s features. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Where PHP-Fusion stands on Freedom251
- Content Management Systems#114 of 165