Freedom251 › Content Management Systems
ProcessWire
by ProcessWire
What ProcessWire is
ProcessWire is a free, self-hosted content management system and framework for building websites and applications. It lets users define custom fields, combine them into repeatable groups, and create custom content types. Its API provides access to site content for output and manipulation. Built-in multilingual support covers fields, URLs, and translation tools. Role-based access control assigns permissions to roles and templates, helping control page access. ProcessWire also includes editorial workflows, custom user roles, SEO tools, and a media library. The core is downloadable at no cost under the Mozilla Public License 2.0, with MIT licensing for files whose headers specify it. Third-party modules and paid first-party Pro modules are available through its directory and store. It runs on Unix or Windows web servers with PHP, a supported database, and an image library. Apache is officially supported, while other servers may need adjustments.
Who it suits
ProcessWire suits developers and organizations wanting to host their own content system. It fits projects requiring custom content structures, multilingual fields, role controls, and an API.
What it does well
- Free and open-source core
- Supports custom fields and content types
- Built-in multilingual content tools
- Includes role-based access control
- Provides an API for site content
What to know first
- Requires self-hosted server setup
- Needs PHP, database, and image library
- Some modules are paid
- Security depends partly on server configuration
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| ProcessWire core | Free and open-source CMS; downloadable core | Free |
As processwire.com lists them, read 11 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
ProcessWire offers a flexible, self-hosted CMS with structured content, multilingual features, permissions, and developer access through an API. Its free core keeps entry costs low, while hosting and security remain the operator’s responsibility.
Facts from ProcessWire's own pages
- Access control
- Its role-based access control assigns permissions to roles and roles to templates to control page access. · processwire.com, 11 Oct 2026
- API
- ProcessWire provides an API for accessing, outputting, and manipulating site content. · processwire.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Custom fields
- Users can define and edit custom fields of different types and bundle them into repeatable groups. · processwire.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Custom content types
- Yes · processwire.com, 22 Sept 2026
- Custom user roles
- Yes · processwire.com, 22 Sept 2026
- Editorial workflows
- Yes · processwire.com, 22 Sept 2026
- Founded
- 2010 · processwire.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · processwire.com, 22 Sept 2026
- History
- ProcessWire was released as an open-source project in October 2010. · processwire.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Hosting requirements
- ProcessWire requires a Unix or Windows web server, PHP, a supported database, and an image library; Apache is officially supported, with other servers possible using adjustments. · processwire.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Languages
- Multi-language support is built in, including fields, URLs, and translation tools. · processwire.com, 11 Oct 2026
- License
- The core is licensed under Mozilla Public License 2.0, with MIT licensing used for files that indicate it in their headers. · processwire.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Media library
- Yes · processwire.com, 22 Sept 2026
- Modules
- The project offers third-party modules and paid first-party Pro modules through its module directory and store. · processwire.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Multilingual content
- Yes · processwire.com, 22 Sept 2026
- Platform type
- self_hosted · processwire.com, 22 Sept 2026
- Product
- ProcessWire is a free content management system and framework for building websites and applications. · processwire.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Pro modules
- The Pro Shop describes its commercial modules as intended for web developers and companies using ProcessWire professionally. · processwire.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Security
- ProcessWire's security guidance says secure operation also depends on server and filesystem security, safe template code, careful module selection, and admin protection. · processwire.com, 11 Oct 2026
- SEO tools
- Yes · processwire.com, 22 Sept 2026
- Support
- ProcessWire provides community support forums covering general questions, API and template development, modules, and security. · processwire.com, 11 Oct 2026
Where ProcessWire stands on Freedom251
- Content Management Systems#31 of 165