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Typesetter CMS
What Typesetter CMS is
Typesetter CMS is a free, open-source PHP content management system for self-hosted websites. Its WYSIWYG editor lets you change page content as visitors see it, while pages and configuration are stored in flat files instead of MySQL or SQLite. Installation requires uploading the CMS to a server and creating a username and password, with no database configuration. A drag-and-drop page manager organizes site pages, and the media library supports image uploads and dynamic galleries for standalone use or page inclusion. Typesetter provides SEO tools, multilingual content support, and an integrated contact form using PHP mail by default, with sendmail and SMTP also supported. Community themes and plugins can be browsed and installed from inside an installation. The maker says it is designed for people with little web-technology experience, not large corporate websites, and reports translations into more than 15 languages. Typesetter 5.1.1-beta1 requires PHP 5.6 or later.
Who it suits
It suits individuals and smaller site projects wanting a free, self-hosted CMS with visual editing and no database setup. The maker specifically presents it for people with limited web-technology experience.
What it does well
- Free and open-source
- Flat-file storage avoids MySQL and SQLite
- Visual WYSIWYG page editing
- Built-in galleries and media library
- Themes and plugins install from the CMS
What to know first
- Not made for large corporate websites
- Requires self-hosting
- PHP 5.6 or later required for listed beta
- Official homepage currently shows unrelated content
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free and open-source CMS | Free |
As typesettercms.com lists them, read 12 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
Typesetter CMS offers visual editing, flat-file storage, media tools, and extensions without database configuration. Its stated audience and self-hosted setup make it more suitable for smaller websites than large corporate deployments.
Facts from Typesetter CMS's own pages
- Contact forms
- The integrated contact form supports PHP mail by default, as well as sendmail and SMTP. · typesettercms.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Current official domain
- The live homepage currently displays Swedish casino content rather than Typesetter CMS product information. · typesettercms.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Extensions
- Users can browse and install community themes and plugins from within a Typesetter installation. · typesettercms.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · typesettercms.com, 23 Sept 2026
- Galleries
- Users can upload images and arrange them in dynamic galleries for standalone use or inclusion in pages. · typesettercms.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Installation
- The maker says installation requires no database configuration and involves uploading the CMS to a server and creating a username and password. · typesettercms.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The maker describes Typesetter as intended to be easy for people with little web technology experience and says it was not made for large corporate websites. · typesettercms.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Languages
- The maker says Typesetter has been translated into more than 15 languages. · typesettercms.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Media library
- Yes · typesettercms.com, 23 Sept 2026
- Multilingual content
- Yes · typesettercms.com, 23 Sept 2026
- Platform type
- self_hosted · typesettercms.com, 23 Sept 2026
- Purpose
- Typesetter is an open-source CMS written in PHP, focused on ease of use, WYSIWYG editing, and flat-file storage. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- SEO tools
- Yes · typesettercms.com, 23 Sept 2026
- Server requirement
- The project README lists PHP 5.6 or later as a requirement for Typesetter 5.1.1-beta1. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Site organization
- A drag-and-drop page manager helps users organize site pages. · typesettercms.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Storage
- Page content and site configuration are stored in flat files without MySQL or SQLite. · typesettercms.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Visual editing
- Its WYSIWYG editor lets users edit page content as it appears to site visitors. · typesettercms.com, 12 Oct 2026
Where Typesetter CMS stands on Freedom251
- Content Management Systems#92 of 165