Best Self-Hosted Self-Hosted CMS in 2026

Traditional, database-backed content management systems you install on your own server — the open source alternatives to Squarespace, Wix, Webflow and similar hosted website platforms.

The top-rated pick is EmDash with 13,834 GitHub stars.

4 self-hosted self-hosted cms — ranked by GitHub stars.Browse all

EmDash

A full-stack TypeScript CMS built on Astro and Cloudflare, reimagining WordPress with serverless, type-safe foundations.

Alternative to:

WordPress

AI-assisted

Concrete CMS

Self-hosted PHP CMS with in-context page editing, drag-and-drop blocks, granular permissions and a marketplace of themes and add-ons. MIT licensed.

Alternative to:

Squarespace

WollyCMS

Self-hosted, open-source headless CMS built specifically for Astro.js with a block-based page builder.

Alternative to:

Contentful

Golocron

Golocron is a plug-and-play blogging and wiki system designed for Go backends. Markdown support, live preview, and a clean UI for quick content sites.

Alternative to:

WordPress

Why self-host?

Self-hosting puts you in control. You own your data, avoid vendor lock-in, and eliminate recurring subscription costs. For teams handling sensitive data or operating under strict compliance requirements, running your own infrastructure is often the only viable option.