Side by side
Contao vs dotCMS
Both stand on content management systems. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan APILinuxSelf-hosted+1
Contao offers a broad set of publishing, access-control and search tools for self-hosted websites. Check the server requirements before choosing it, and consider whether community or partner support fits your needs.
Visit Contao
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. Its free plan covers companies under $5M revenue; organizations evaluating commercial tiers should request pricing based on their scale.
Visit dotCMSThe facts
| Contao | dotCMS | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | API, Linux, Self-hosted, Web | API, Linux, Self-hosted, Web |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 1 | 5 |
| Maker | Contao | dotCMS |
| Website | contao.org | dotcms.com |
| On content management systems | #10 of 165 | #14 of 165 |
Contao: what it does well
- One installation can run multiple websites.
- Includes editorial workflows and custom user roles.
- Core includes calendar, news, blog and newsletter modules.
- Offers passkeys or two-factor authentication.
- Community forum support is free.
What to know first
- Requires a web server with current PHP and MySQL.
- Documentation recommends PHP 8.4 or later.
- Long-term support versions receive four years of support.
dotCMS: what it does well
- Combines content modeling, workflows, asset management, localization, and multisite management.
- Offers visual editing, device preview, WYSIWYG, block, and inline editing.
- Provides REST and GraphQL APIs, plus static and remote publishing.
- Deployment choices include managed cloud, Cloud Anywhere, and self-hosting.
- Free plan includes unlimited users and content.
What to know first
- The free plan is limited to companies under $5M revenue.
- Commercial tiers require a pricing request.
Alternatives to Contao Alternatives to dotCMS The whole list