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Ratals CMS
by Ratals CMS

What Ratals CMS is
Ratals CMS is a website content management system for building and managing sites. Its core is open source under Apache 2.0, so it can be modified and deployed commercially without licensing fees. You can self-host it on your own infrastructure or use its web platform. The Sub-Item builder lets teams assemble page sections from the admin area without developer work, and its Forms Builder supports reusable fields, product and quote requests, and unlimited forms. One installation can run multiple websites with separate settings, domains, caching, HTTPS preferences, hreflang, and SMTP configuration. URL-level controls cover titles, descriptions, canonical URLs, robots directives, sitemaps, and other search settings. Built-in features include security protections and one-click admin updates, with update permissions assignable to individual administrators. The free CMS plan has no listed price; Ratals Commerce, which includes CMS, costs $79 a month. The download page lists PHP 8.1+, MySQL 8.0+, and a server tested on Nginx, Apache, and LiteSpeed.
Who it suits
Ratals CMS suits teams that want to build and manage websites with customizable page sections and forms. Its self-hosting option and commercial-use license may also fit organizations that want to modify and run the CMS on their own infrastructure.
What it does well
- Apache 2.0 core permits commercial modification and deployment.
- Sub-Item builder assembles page sections without developer work.
- One installation can manage multiple websites.
- Built-in forms support product and quote requests.
- Admin area provides one-click updates.
What to know first
- Ratals Commerce costs $79 a month.
- Download requires PHP 8.1+ and MySQL 8.0+.
Limits
The free Ratals CMS plan has no listed price. The listed Ratals Commerce plan costs $79 a month, includes one domain connection, and charges $10/month for each additional domain.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Ratals Commerce | monthly · 1 domain connection · additional domains $10/month · includes CMS | $79 a month |
| Ratals ERP | monthly · 1 domain connection · additional domains $10/month · includes Commerce | $199 a month |
| Ratals AI | monthly · 1 domain connection · additional domains $10/month · includes ERP | $299 a month |
| Ratals CMS | unlimited domain connections · Apache 2.0 license · full source code access | Free |
As ratals.com lists them, read 1 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit the Ratals CMS website.
- Choose web use or self-host the CMS on your infrastructure.
- For a self-hosted installation, use PHP 8.1+, MySQL 8.0+, and a web server tested on Nginx, Apache, or LiteSpeed.
- Use the admin area to build page sections, forms, and site settings.
- Choose Ratals Commerce for the listed CMS-inclusive plan at $79 a month.
Verdict
Ratals CMS combines site building, forms, multi-site management, and URL-level search controls. The free CMS plan has no listed price, while Ratals Commerce is $79 a month and includes CMS.
Questions
Is Ratals CMS free?
Yes. Ratals CMS has a free plan, and its core is licensed under Apache 2.0.
What does Ratals Commerce cost?
Ratals Commerce costs $79 a month, billed monthly. It includes CMS and one domain connection; additional domains cost $10/month.
Can I self-host Ratals CMS?
Yes. It can be customized and hosted on your own infrastructure. The download page lists PHP 8.1+ and MySQL 8.0+.
Can it manage multiple websites?
Yes. One installation can run multiple websites with separate settings, domains, caching, HTTPS preferences, hreflang, and SMTP configuration.
What license does the CMS core use?
The core is licensed under Apache 2.0 and can be modified and deployed commercially without licensing fees.
How can I contact support?
Ratals offers technical support through its contact form. Listed support hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Facts from Ratals CMS's own pages
- Content building
- The Sub-Item builder lets teams assemble customizable page sections from the admin without developer work. · ratals.com, 1 Oct 2026
- Forms
- The built-in Forms Builder supports unlimited forms, reusable fields, product and quote requests, and embedding through short codes. · ratals.com, 1 Oct 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · ratals.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Headquarters
- Salt Lake City, Utah, United States · ratals.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Integrations
- Core CMS features are built in without plugins, third-party services, or additional licenses; email uses SMTP with SPF, DKIM, and DMARC support. · ratals.com, 1 Oct 2026
- License
- The CMS core is licensed under Apache 2.0 and can be modified and deployed commercially without licensing fees. · ratals.com, 1 Oct 2026
- Maker
- Rob Cuppett is identified as Ratals' founder and lead engineer, and the Ratals idea is described as beginning in 2005. · ratals.com, 1 Oct 2026
- Multi-site
- Ratals can run multiple websites from one installation with separate site settings, domains, caching, HTTPS preferences, hreflang, and SMTP configuration. · ratals.com, 1 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Ratals CMS is a free, open-source website content management system for building and managing websites. · ratals.com, 1 Oct 2026
- Security
- Built-in protections include restricted application-file access, SQL injection protection, XSS protection, Content Security Policy enforcement, session validation, CSRF protection, and traffic monitoring. · ratals.com, 1 Oct 2026
- Self-hosting
- Users can customize and self-host Ratals CMS on their own infrastructure. · ratals.com, 1 Oct 2026
- SEO
- Every URL includes controls for meta titles, descriptions, canonical URLs, robots directives, hreflang, H1 content, breadcrumbs, sitemaps, search visibility, authorship, and dates. · ratals.com, 1 Oct 2026
- Paid from
- 79 · ratals.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Support
- Ratals offers technical support through its contact form and lists support hours as Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. · ratals.com, 1 Oct 2026
- System requirements
- The download page lists PHP 8.1+, MySQL 8.0+, and a web server tested on Nginx, Apache, and LiteSpeed. · ratals.com, 1 Oct 2026
- Updates
- Ratals provides one-click software updates from the admin area, with update permissions assignable to individual admin users. · ratals.com, 1 Oct 2026
Where Ratals CMS stands on Freedom251
- Agency Website Builders#12 of 30
- Website builders#32 of 70