Free and open first

Best CMS Tools in 2026

CMS tools help you create, organize, and deliver website or app content. Platforms in this category run on the web, through an API, on self-hosted setups, and on Linux, Windows, or iOS.

31 apps
Research read 28 Sept 2026
How the order is worked out

1

Enonic XP
by Enonic XP
Free plan Open source APILinuxSelf-hosted+2

9.1 Free plan Visit site
2

WordPress
by WordPress
Free plan Open source AndroidAPIiPhone+2

WordPress offers a flexible publishing foundation with options for both nontechnical site builders and developers. The self-hosted plan is free, but requires hosting and a domain of your own.

8.5 Free plan Visit site
3

ApostropheCMS
by ApostropheCMS
Free plan APISelf-hostedWeb

ApostropheCMS offers a free, extensible CMS with visual editing and headless options. Paid plans and separate hosting support larger teams, but deployment requirements should be reviewed first.

7.5 Free plan · paid from $199/mo Visit site
4

dotCMS
by dotCMS
Free plan APILinuxSelf-hosted+1

Choose dotCMS if you need a broad content platform with visual editing, developer tools, multiple publishing options, and flexible deployment.

7.5 Free plan Visit site
5

Drupal
by Drupal
Free plan APILinuxMac+3

Drupal CMS provides a ready-to-use starting point with content tools and room for extension.

7.5 Free plan Visit site
6

Joomla
by Joomla
Free plan APILinuxSelf-hosted+1

Joomla! offers a broad set of publishing and access-control features for many kinds of websites. Choose between installing the CMS and using its free hosted website option.

7.4 Free plan Visit site
7

DatoCMS

Free plan APIWeb

DatoCMS combines structured content management, editorial tools, and API delivery for teams working across languages and channels.

7.3 Free plan · paid from €149/mo (annual) · 14-day trial Visit site
8

Contentful
by Contentful
Free plan Web

Choose Contentful if your team needs web-based content tools with localization, preview, webhooks, and asset transformations.

7.2 Free plan · paid from $300/mo Visit site
9

Magnolia DXP
by Magnolia DXP
Free plan APISelf-hostedWeb

Magnolia DXP combines authoring, personalization, AI assistance, and integrations for organizations with complex digital footprints.

7.2 Free plan Visit site
10

MODX
by MODX
Free plan APISelf-hostedWeb

MODX offers a flexible CMS and framework with both self-hosted and managed-hosting options.

7.2 Free plan · paid from $90/mo (annual) Visit site
11

Orchard Core

Free plan APILinuxSelf-hosted+1

Orchard Core combines editorial CMS tools with an extensible application framework, including APIs, workflows, and multi-tenancy.

7.2 Free plan Visit site
12

Pimcore
by Pimcore
Free plan APILinuxSelf-hosted+1

Pimcore combines several data and experience management capabilities on a shared foundation, with both cloud and on-premises deployment options.

7.2 Free plan · paid from $9,900/yr Visit site
13

Craft CMS

Free plan Web

Craft CMS provides structured, hybrid content management with multilingual publishing and editorial controls.

7.1 Free plan · paid from $279 Visit site
14

Directus

Free plan Web

7.1 Free plan · paid from $499/mo (annual) · 14-day trial Visit site
15

Payload CMS
by Payload CMS
Free plan APISelf-hostedWeb

Choose Payload CMS if you want an open-source framework and backend with APIs, an admin panel, and self-hosting flexibility.

7.1 Open source Visit site
16

Hygraph
by Hygraph
Free plan Web

Choose Hygraph if you want a web-based content platform with GraphQL, localization, and a free plan with stated limits.

7.0 Free plan · paid from $199/mo · 30-day trial Visit site
17

Prismic
by Prismic
Free plan APIWeb

Prismic pairs structured content management with visual page editing and developer tools. Review the free-plan user and bandwidth limits, and note that paid pricing is billed annually.

6.9 Free plan · paid from $10/mo (annual) · 30-day trial Visit site
18

Silverstripe CMS
by Silverstripe CMS
Free plan APISelf-hostedWeb

Silverstripe CMS offers page editing, workflow controls, and extension options for teams building websites and applications.

6.9 Free plan Visit site
19

Wagtail

Free plan APILinuxSelf-hosted+1

Choose Wagtail if your team wants an open-source CMS with configurable editorial workflows, flexible content structures and headless publishing.

6.9 Free plan Visit site
20

Sanity

Free plan Web

Sanity combines content authoring, APIs, collaboration, and automation in a web platform.

6.7 Free plan · paid from $15/user/mo Visit site
21

Storyblok
by Storyblok
Free plan Web

Storyblok pairs visual content editing with localization, APIs, and integrations. Compare the listed traffic, request, seat, and locale allowances with your needs before selecting a plan.

6.6 Free plan · paid from $99/mo · 45-day trial Visit site
22

Strapi
by Strapi
Free plan Self-hosted

Choose Strapi if you want an open-source headless CMS with customizable APIs and the option to self-host or use Strapi Cloud.

6.6 Free plan · paid from $35/mo · 30-day trial Visit site
23

Umbraco CMS
by Umbraco CMS
Free plan Web

Choose Umbraco CMS if you need a web CMS with multilingual content, custom roles, editorial workflows and headless APIs.

6.5 Free plan · paid from €45/mo Visit site
24

Kontent.ai
by Kontent.ai
Free trial APIWeb

Kontent.ai provides structured, governed content operations with agentic automation and extensive integration options.

6.0 Pricing on request · 30-day trial Visit site
25

Progress Sitefinity
by Progress Sitefinity
Free trial APISelf-hostedWeb+1

Choose Sitefinity if you need a CMS with deployment choice and capabilities for managing digital experiences.

6.0 Pricing on request Visit site

#1Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this list can be bought by the makers of the software on it. See the price

Compare free plans, trial periods, and paid starting prices. If reading or changing code matters, check the open-source licence. Also compare hosting model, CMS type, content API, user roles, locales, and content versioning.

Questions

Can I use a CMS tool for free?

Yes. Products in this category offer free plans, and some also provide free trials. Check the plan terms and limits before relying on free access.

Which CMS tools have listed starting prices?

Craft CMS lists paid plans from $279. DatoCMS lists €149 per month when billed annually, and Directus lists $499 per month when billed annually.

What hosting options should I compare?

Compare hosted and self-hosted models. Also check whether the platform runs in the environment you need, such as web, API, Linux, Windows, or iOS.

Why check for a content API?

A content API can matter when content needs to be delivered beyond one website. Compare API support alongside the CMS type.

Should I check the licence?

Yes. Open-source code is offered by products in this category. Read the licence if you plan to inspect, change, or host the code.

Questions

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