A Content Management System (CMS) is software designed to simplify the publication of Web content. In particular, it enables content creators to submit content without requiring technical knowledge of HTML or the uploading of files. A CMS is most commonly used in creating an intranet or in establishing a presence on the Web.
This type of software that keeps track of every piece of content on a Web site. Content can be simple text, photos, music, video, documents, or just about anything you can think of.
Most CMS use databases to hold their content. This can make installation and maintenance confusing, complicated, and require some technical skill. Other problems can surface over time. For example, it can be difficult to modify, edit, or migrate content, although some CMS make things a little less complicated.
This article recommends CMS that hold all content in “flat files”. That is simple text files with a very simple structure. This makes it easier to modify, edit, organize, and migrate content. With no database knowledge required, the website creators can focus on their website’s design and content. There are other advantages. For example, smaller website projects will often offer higher speeds than a CMS using a relational database. They also offer simplicity, both in terms of fewer security pitfalls, and easier backups.
Content management systems based on the flat file principle are a half-way house between a regular CMS and a static site.
Our flat file CMS recommendations are captured in a legendary LinuxLinks-style ratings chart.
Click the links in the table below to learn more about each CMS.
| Flat File Content Management Systems | |
|---|---|
| Grav | Super fast modern CMS |
| Pico | Blazing speed, flexibility, and a lightweight footprint |
| Bludit | Simple flexible system storing content in JSON |
| CMSimple | PHP based content management system |
| GetSimple CMS | XML based data storage |
| WonderCMS | Another flat file CMS built with PHP |
| HTMLy | Prioritizes simplicity and speed |
| Automad | Includes a multi-layer caching engine and elegant dashboard |
| HamsterCMS | Tiny flatfile PHP content management system |
| Flextype | Hybrid CMS: headless CMS and full functionality of a traditional CMS |
This article has been updated to reflect the changes outlined in our recent announcement.
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Please remove October, it’s now proprietary software (the developers abandoned using the MIT License)
Alex, thanks for bringing this to our attention. It’s always disappointing when a project abandons the open source model. We’ll be updating this roundup very shortly (and removing October).
GetSimple is dead. The project is continued by another team of developers.
Link updated with fork. We may reinstate the original project if it restarts.