A web content management system (WCMS) 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. A major advantage of using a CMS is that it requires almost no technical skill or knowledge to manage.
Not only do content management systems help website users with content editing, they also take care of a lot of “behind the scenes” work such as automatically generating navigation elements, making content searchable and indexable, keeping track of users, their permissions and security setting, and much more.
To provide an insight into the quality of software that is available, we have compiled a list of 26 high quality free Linux WCMS. Hopefully, there will be something of interest for anyone who wishes to manage a website.
Here’s our verdict captured in a legendary LinuxLinks-style ratings chart. They are all free and open source software.
Let’s explore the 26 WCMS tools at hand. For each title we have compiled its own portal page, providing a screenshot of the software in action, a full description with an in-depth analysis of its features, together with links to relevant resources.
| PHP-Based Web Content Management Systems | |
|---|---|
| WordPress | Create a beautiful website, blog, or app |
| Drupal | Platform and content management system written in PHP |
| Joomla! | Award-winning system to build Web sites and powerful applications |
| Grav | Super fast modern CMS |
| Pico | Blazing speed, flexibility, and a lightweight footprint |
| TYPO3 | Small to midsize enterprise-class content management system |
| MODX | Powerful framework to deploy and secure websites and web applications |
| SilverStripe | Flexible, open source programming framework, and CMS |
| ProcessWire | Polished content management system (CMS) and framework (CMF) |
| Concrete | CMS, CMF and easy to use Web Builder |
| Textpattern | Flexible, elegant and easy-to-use open source system |
| XOOPS | eXtensible Object Oriented Portal System |
| Fork | User friendly environment to build, monitor and update your website |
| Winter | PHP/MySQL based application for managing dynamic web content |
| Bolt CMS | Based on Silex and Symfony components, uses Twig |
| Contao | (formerly TYPOlight) Specializes in accessibility (back end and front end) |
| Backdrop | Fork of Drupal |
| e107 | Portal or CMS using PHP and MySQL |
| ImpressCMS | Community developed Content Management System |
| ExpressionEngine | Mature, flexible, secure content management system |
| Pluck | Focuses on user friendliness; lets anyone manage a website |
| Lavalite | CMS built with Laravel |
| Geeklog | Very extensible system with good support for blogging |
| eZ Platform | Professional PHP application framework with advanced CMS |
| CMS Made Simple | Designed for simple stable content sites |
| b2evolution | Highly integrated CMS |
This article has been updated to reflect the changes outlined in our recent announcement.
 Explore our comprehensive directory of recommended free and open source software. Our carefully curated collection spans every major software category.This directory is part of our ongoing series of informative articles for Linux enthusiasts. It features hundreds of detailed reviews, along with open source alternatives to proprietary solutions from major corporations such as Google, Microsoft, Apple, Adobe, IBM, Cisco, Oracle, and Autodesk. You’ll also find interesting projects to try, hardware coverage, free programming books and tutorials, and much more. Know a useful open source Linux program that we haven’t covered yet? Let us know by completing this form. |
Thanks for such a Great Post!
What script is linuxlinks using? It’s just what I’m looking for.
Why is not Vvveb CMS in the list? It’s the most user friendly open source cms.
Maybe because its first release was only three days ago…