> /v1/category/cms-and-content
Best open source CMS[047]
The best open source CMS projects — headless CMSes, page builders, content modeling tools, and self-hosted publishing platforms. Includes headless CMS, enterprise CMS, and traditional CMS options.
47 projects · 666,975 combined GitHub stars · 9 languages · sorted by popularity
Strapi
The leading open-source headless CMS
★ STARS
72.1k
⑂ FORKS
9.7k
Affine
All-in-one workspace for note-taking, whiteboarding, and task management with real-time collaboration and local-first architecture.
★ STARS
68.1k
⑂ FORKS
4.8k
Ghost
Independent technology for modern publishing
★ STARS
52.8k
⑂ FORKS
10.1k
Mastodon
A free, open-source social media platform that puts users in charge of their data and connections
★ STARS
49.9k
⑂ FORKS
7.4k
Logseq
A privacy-first, open-source platform for networked thought. Organize, connect, and discover your ideas with ease.
★ STARS
42.7k
⑂ FORKS
2.6k
Payload CMS
The most powerful TypeScript-first Headless CMS
★ STARS
42.3k
⑂ FORKS
3.7k
Outline
The fastest knowledge base for growing teams
★ STARS
38.4k
⑂ FORKS
3.3k
Tiptap
The headless editor framework for web artisans
★ STARS
36.7k
⑂ FORKS
3.0k
Directus
The flexible backend for all your projects
★ STARS
35.4k
⑂ FORKS
4.7k
Lexical
Lexical is an extensible text editor framework that provides excellent reliability, accessibility and performance
★ STARS
23.4k
⑂ FORKS
1.7k
WordPress
A versatile, user-friendly platform for building and managing websites, from simple blogs to complex e-commerce stores.
★ STARS
21.1k
⑂ FORKS
12.9k
Docmost
A feature-rich wiki platform with real-time collaboration, rich-text editing, advanced permissions, and support for diagrams, translations, and file management.
★ STARS
20.0k
⑂ FORKS
1.3k
Docs
Transform document collaboration with real-time editing, version control, and secure sharing features that enhance team productivity and communication.
★ STARS
16.5k
⑂ FORKS
585
Plate
The rich-text editor for React
★ STARS
16.2k
⑂ FORKS
1.3k
Scalar
Scalar is an open-source tool for building, customizing, and hosting interactive API documentation with OpenAPI support.
★ STARS
15.0k
⑂ FORKS
835
TinaCMS
A headless CMS that simplifies content management with real-time editing, Git-based workflows, and developer-friendly customization.
★ STARS
13.3k
⑂ FORKS
696
Wallabag
Self-hosted web article archiving tool that extracts content for comfortable reading. Import from Pocket, Instapaper. Open source with API access.
★ STARS
12.7k
⑂ FORKS
867
Fumadocs
A flexible Next.js framework for creating stunning documentation sites with MDX support, built-in search, and customizable components.
★ STARS
11.8k
⑂ FORKS
661
KeystoneJS
A powerful, customizable content management system and application framework built on Node.js, GraphQL, and React
★ STARS
9.9k
⑂ FORKS
1.3k
Gumroad
A digital marketplace platform where creators can sell digital products, from courses to software, with built-in payment processing and content delivery.
★ STARS
9.0k
⑂ FORKS
1.9k
Builder.io
Visual headless CMS
★ STARS
8.7k
⑂ FORKS
700
Fluxer
Free, open-source instant messaging and VoIP platform with full Markdown support, voice/video calls, moderation tools, and self-hosting options for communities.
★ STARS
8.5k
⑂ FORKS
488
Sanity
Sanity Studio – Rapidly configure content workspaces powered by structured content
★ STARS
6.1k
⑂ FORKS
890
Drupal
A flexible and extensible content management system for creating dynamic websites and digital experiences
★ STARS
4.3k
⑂ FORKS
2.0k
twill-cms
A powerful, open-source CMS for Laravel that simplifies content management with a modular approach and intuitive admin panel.
★ STARS
4.0k
⑂ FORKS
585
Piwigo
Open source photo management software for organizing, sharing and managing large photo libraries. Perfect for teams, organizations and individuals.
★ STARS
3.8k
⑂ FORKS
483
craft-cms
Build custom websites with a user-friendly CMS that puts content first. Features flexible architecture, GraphQL API, and powerful ecommerce capabilities.
★ STARS
3.6k
⑂ FORKS
690
Anthias
Free open-source digital signage software that turns Raspberry Pi or old PCs into powerful display solutions. Manage images, videos, and web content easily.
★ STARS
3.5k
⑂ FORKS
707
Shopware
A flexible and customizable ecommerce solution that enables businesses to build responsive online stores with advanced features and automation capabilities.
★ STARS
3.3k
⑂ FORKS
1.2k
Keystatic
First-class CMS experience, TypeScript API, Markdown and YAML/JSON-based storage
★ STARS
2.0k
⑂ FORKS
140
// FREQUENTLY ASKED
What are the best open source cms projects?
The most popular open source cms projects by GitHub stars are Strapi, Affine, Ghost, Mastodon, Logseq. 47 curated open source cms projects are indexed on Open Source Startups.
How many open source cms projects are there?
47 open source cms projects are currently curated and tracked.
What programming languages are most common for cms?
Open source cms projects most commonly use TypeScript, JavaScript, HTML, Python, Vue, PHP.
What is the best open source headless CMS?
Strapi, Directus, Payload, KeystoneJS, and Ghost are the most-starred open source headless CMS options. All are self-hostable, expose an API for any frontend (Next.js, Nuxt, mobile), and ship with admin UIs out of the box.
What is the best open source CMS for enterprise?
For enterprise, Drupal, WordPress, Plone, and Strapi Enterprise are the most battle-tested. They support SSO, role-based access, multi-site, and have long-term support releases.
Are these CMSes self-hostable?
Yes — every open source CMS listed here runs on your own infrastructure. Most ship as a Docker image; many also offer one-click deploys to Vercel, Railway, or Fly.io.
What's the best open source CMS system in 2026?
Strapi, Payload, Directus, and Ghost are the most actively maintained open source CMS systems heading into 2026, with steady release cadence, security updates, and a healthy plugin ecosystem.
What is the best PHP open source CMS?
WordPress, Drupal, October CMS, Statamic (community edition), and Bagisto are the most popular PHP-based open source CMS platforms. WordPress remains the dominant choice; Drupal owns the enterprise tier.