Lot’s of folks are leaving Wordpress for a flat file CMS system with no database. Wordpress was built as a simple blogging platform and has evolved over the years into a feature rich CMS. Lot’s of these features aren’t needed by folk who merely want to blog without the bloat. We respect Wordpress and it will always be there, this small project simply aims to give people out there a chance to work with Flat File CMS’s also known as file–based CMS’s.
We’re not talking about static site generators here, text of XML driven file CMS’s.
Without a database the flat-file CMS stores content in files and folders unlike a traditional database. This means you don’t have to query any database of any kind in your system —there is no database. The flat-file system generates dynamic pages and each blog post or page is simply in a folder of its own (depending on the system and how you structure it). There are several ways to populate and parse content, xml and markdown being the most popular.
There are certain advantages of not using a database like:
- Simplicity
- Speed
- Security
- Version Control
- Maintenance
- Portability
- Less expense (server)
Some people will argue that these flat-file CMS systems aren’t real content management systems. Whilst they do let you manage your content they aren’t full blown as they don’t let you authentication/authorization. The argument is a full blown CMS should somehow be able to grant and deny create/read/update/delete access and permissions to users.
This can be a debatable topic, and this small project’s aim to is to introduce you to these Flat-File CMS’s. If you’re new to the game then it’s advantageous to seeing different views.
Personally, I am all for Flat-File CMS’s for personal blogs. View them below in alphabetical order:
Client side (browser) based CMS. Only static files stored on server. Emphasis on background animation and page transitions.
Technology: Javascript / Apache
Templating: HTML / Bootstrap
Formatting: HTML / Markdown
Open source: yes
Website: https://ajaxcms.org/
A File-Based & Open Source Content Management System.
Technology: PHP
Templating: Built in
Formatting: Markdown
Open source: yes
Website: http://automad.org/
Latest: http://automad.org/release-notes
A modern, lightweight, extensible CMS for PHP.
Technology: PHP
Templating: Twig
Formatting: Markdown
Open source: yes
Website: http://bauncms.com
Create your own Blog in seconds, Fast, Simple, Extensible and Flat-file CMS.
Technology: PHP / JSON
Templating: HTML5 / Css / JavaScript
Formatting: Markdown and HTML
Open source: Yes
Website: http://www.bludit.com
Latest: 0.5 2015-11-01 http://forum.bludit.com/
BoidCMS is a free and open-source flat file CMS for building simple websites and blogs in seconds, developed using PHP and uses JSON as a database.
Technology: PHP / JSON
Templating: HTML / PHP
Formatting: HTML
Open source: yes
Website: https://boidcms.github.io
The react static site generator that separates editing and code concerns
Technology: NodeJS
Templating: ReactJS
Formatting: Markdown and YAML
Open source: Yes
Website: https://cuttlebelle.com
Latest: 1.0.0-alpha.44 2017-01-19 https://cuttlebelle.com
Datenstrom Yellow is for people who make small websites.
Technology: PHP
Templating: HTML / PHP
Formatting: Markdown
Open source: yes
Website: https://datenstrom.se/yellow/
DodgerCMS is a static markdown CMS built on top of Amazon S3.
Technology: JavaScript
Templating: PureCss
Formatting: Markdown
Open source: yes
Website: http://dodgercms.com/
Dropplets is a minimalist, databaseless Markdown blogging platform.
Technology: PHP
Templating: ??
Formatting: Markdown
Open source: yes
Website: http://dropplets.com/
Flat File CMS for designers
Technology: PHP
Templating: PHP
Formatting: HTML / Text / Markdown
Open source: yes
Website: http://feindura.org/
FlatPress is a blogging engine that saves your posts as simple text files.
Technology: PHP
Templating: Smarty
Formatting: Text
Open source: yes
Website: http://flatpress.org/home/
Flextype is an open-source Hybrid Content Management System with the freedom of a headless CMS and with the full functionality of a traditional CMS.
Technology: PHP / YAML / JSON
Templating: Twig
Formatting: HTML / Text / Markdown / Shortcodes
Open source: yes
Website: https://awilum.github.io/flextype
no database CMS, written in PHP, supports themes, soon plugins, and flexible taxonomies (data types). Hybrid static/dynamic CMS that’s cached by default. Runs on anything with PHP. Still being developed, but has a good base of features.
Technology: PHP
Templating: HTML (optionally, add PHP)
Formatting: HTML with WYSIWYG editor
Open source: yes
Website: https://github.com/samthomson/flot/
GetSimple is an XML based, stand-a-alone, fully independant and lite Content Management System.
Technology: PHP / XML
Templating: HTML, PHP
Formatting: HTML / WYSIWYG editor
Open source: yes
Website: http://get-simple.info/
In a nutshell, installing Grav is a matter of unzipping the file. It is fast, has sophisticated caching, and a light footprint for optimal performance.
Technology: PHP / YAML
Templating: Twig
Formatting: Markdown
Open source: yes
Website: http://getgrav.org/
A fast simple, blog and framework
Technology: Node
Templating: Jade
Formatting: Markdown
Open source: yes
Website: https://hexo.io/
Herbie CMS is a simple, fast and highly customizable flat-file Content Management System powered by PHP, Twig, Markdown, Textile, reStructuredText and other human-readable text files. Create small but fully functional websites or blogs in no time and with little effort.
Technology: PHP
Templating: Twig
Formatting: Markdown, Textile, reStructuredText
Open source: yes
Website: https://herbie.tebe.ch/
HTMLy is an open source databaseless blogging platform that prioritizes simplicity and speed (Flat-File Blog). HTMLy can be referred to as a Flat-File CMS, since it will also manage your content.
You do not need to use a VPS to run HTMLy, shared hosting or even free hosting should work as long as the host supports at least PHP 5.3.
Technology: PHP
Templating: ???
Formatting: Markdown
Open source: yes
Website: https://demo.htmly.com/
Hugo is a general-purpose website framework. Technically speaking, Hugo is a static site generator.
Technology: Go
Templating: Go Templates
Formatting: Markdown
Open source: yes
Website: http://gohugo.io/
Transform your plain text into static websites and blogs.
Technology: Ruby
Templating: Liquid
Formatting: Markdown
Open source: yes
Website: http://jekyllrb.com/
Kirby is a file-based CMS. Easy to setup, easy to use, flexible as hell
Technology: PHP
Templating: Roll your own
Formatting: Markdown
Open source: yes
Website: http://getkirby.com/
An extremely simple, pluggable static site generator
Technology: Node
Templating: Unopinionated
Formatting: Markdown
Open source: yes
Website: http://www.metalsmith.io/
Mecha is a file–based CMS. It does not require any database. Almost all files are stored as plain text files which grouped into folders, which you can even edit it manually through a plain text editor application.
Technology: PHP
Templating: PHP
Formatting: Markdown / Markdown Extra / HTML
Open source: yes
Website: http://mecha-cms.com/
Simple, lightweight, beginner-friendly and expandable with plugins
Technology: PHP
Templating: HTML
Formatting: Expandable own syntax
Open source: yes
Website: http://mozilo.de/
Latest: 2.0.49 2016-01-17 https://github.com/mozilo/mozilo2.0/commits/master
Middleman is a static site generator using all the shortcuts and tools in modern web development
Technology: Ruby
Templating: Multiple
Formatting: Markdown
Open source: yes
Website: http://middlemanapp.com/
Nanote simple flat-file blog script, GPL v.3
Technology: PHP
Templating: HTML
Formatting: HTML
Open source: yes
A Ruby CMS for developers and designers. With simple code that’s easy to follow, Nesta is easily extended using the Sinatra web framework.
Technology: Ruby / Sinatra
Templating: Haml, Erb, Erubis, Liquid, Sass, Scss and Less
Formatting: Markdown, Textile or Haml
Open source: yes
Website: http://nestacms.com/
Easy, fast and free Blog system
Technology: PHP
Templating: PHP
Open source: Yes
Website: http://www.nibbleblog.com/
Latest: 4.03 2014-04-01 http://blog.nibbleblog.com/post/nibbleblog-v4.0.3-coffee/
Simple and extendable PHP tool for publishing beautiful websites out of plain text documents
Technology: PHP
Templating: Mustache
Formatting: Markdown
Open source: Yes
Website: http://viaorbiter.com/
Latest: https://github.com/kasparsd/orbiter
Simple CMS for developers, designers and clients with admininistration panel.
Technology: PHP
Templating: PHP
Formatting: Markdown (html if needed)
Open source: yes
Website: https://github.com/BafS/parvula
PluXML is a free, open-source, self-hosted CMS platform where data are stored by using XML files. This system is used to be a blog one, but pages feature allows to code some php inside the backend. Many plugins extend its functionnalities.
Technology: PHP / XML
Templating: PHP
Formatting: HTML, Text
Open source: yes
Website: http://www.pluxml.org/
A Markdown File Based CMS
Technology: PHP
Templating: Twig
Formatting: Markdown
Open source: yes
Website: http://philecms.github.io/Phile/
A stupidly simple & blazing fast, flat file CMS.
Technology: PHP
Templating: Twig
Formatting: Markdown
Open source: yes
Website: http://picocms.org/
Small, Simple Content Managment
Technology: PHP
Templating: PHP
Open source: yes
Website: http://www.pluck-cms.org/
Latest: 4.7.3 2014-12-08 https://github.com/pluck-cms/pluck/releases
Flat file CMS
Technology: PHP
Templating: PHP
Formatting: HTML and Markdown
Open source: no
Website: http://www.pulsecms.com/
Latest: 5.3 2019-03-02 https://forum.pulsecms.com/t/pulse-5-3-is-here/1369
razorCMS is a File Based Content Management System. All data in razorCMS is stored in flat files, and uses a “database” engine called razorDB.
Technology: PHP
Templating: ???
Formatting: Text
Open source: yes
Website: http://www.razorcms.co.uk/
PHP static site generator / flat file cms
Technology: PHP
Templating: Twig
Formatting: Markdown
Open source: no
Website: https://sculpin.io
Single File CMS with <5 minute setup and user management
Technology: PHP
Templating: Nil
Formatting: Inline
Open source: no
Website: https://singlecms.com
A CMS in a Single PHP File
Technology: PHP
Templating: Nil
Formatting: Markdown
Open source: yes
Website: http://christophersu.net/2012/singularity-cms-single-php-file/
Simple CMS for your HTML website
Technology: PHP
Templating: Nil
Formatting: HTML
Open source: yes
Website: http://sitecake.com/
An entirely new kind of CMS. Pack up your content, markup, and style. Leave the database behind. Making websites just got fun again.
Technology: PHP
Templating: Built in
Formatting: Markdown, Textile, HTML, Plain Text
Open source: no
Website: http://statamic.com/
A rocket rocket fast, light-weight and flexible static site generator. Basically, it's just two functions that allow you to process HTML or Markdown files into static pages.
Technology: NodeJs
Templating: Vanilla JS / anything else
Formatting: Markdown, HTML
Open source: yes
Website: https://sphido.org/
Typemill is a modern and author friendly flat file cms (PHP/Vue.js) for documentations, manuals, web-novels and similar publications. It provides a modern visual markdown editor (vue) and an easy page organisation with drag & drop.
Technology: PHP/VUE.js
Templating: Twig
Formatting: Markdown
Open source: yes
Website: https://www.typemill.net
An Open source CMS written in PHP focused on ease of use with true WYSIWYG editing and flat-file storage.
Technology: PHP
Templating: PHP
Formatting: HTML / plain text
Open source: yes
Website: http://www.typesettercms.com
A micro CMS for static websites
Technology: Python
Templating: Jinja
Formatting: Markdown
Open source: yes
Website: http://urubu.jandecaluwe.com/
Simple and tiny PHP flat-file site engine.
Technology: PHP
Templating: HTML / PHP
Formatting: HTML
Open source: yes
Flexible, minimalistic, multi-platform static site generator built on top of node.js.
Technology: Node.js
Templating: Jade
Formatting: Markdown
Open source: yes
Website: http://wintersmith.io/
WonderCMS is a simple, secure flat file CMS
Technology: PHP and jQuery
Templating: PHP
Formatting: HTML
Open source: yes
Website: http://wondercms.com/
No database CMS, plugins, responsive, 100% customizable theme since the administration without HTML/CSS.
Technology: PHP
Templating: HTML / PHP
Formatting: HTML
Open source: yes
Website: http://zwiicms.com/
Help grow this list — awesome! Ensure you list a system which is classified as a CMS as opposed to just a static site generator. Thanks for your help!