Flat File CMS Systems
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.
What is a Flat-File CMS?
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)
Are they “CMS–Like Systems”, shouldn’t they be called “Content Publishing Systems”?
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:
AjaxCMS
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/
Automad
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
Baun
A modern, lightweight, extensible CMS for PHP.
Technology: PHP
Templating: Twig
Formatting: Markdown
Open source: yes
Website: http://bauncms.com
Bludit
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/
Dodger CMS
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
Dropplets is a minimalist, databaseless Markdown blogging platform.
Technology: PHP
Templating: ??
Formatting: Markdown
Open source: yes
Website: http://dropplets.com/
Fansoro
Fansoro is Modern Open Source File-Based Content Management System.
Technology: PHP
Templating: Fenom
Formatting: Markdown
Open source: yes
Website: http://fansoro.org
Feindura
Flat File CMS for designers
Technology: PHP
Templating: PHP
Formatting: HTML / Text / Markdown
Open source: yes
Website: http://feindura.org/
Flat Press
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/
Flot
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/
Get Simple CMS
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/
Grav
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/
Hexo
A fast simple, blog and framework
Technology: Node
Templating: Jade
Formatting: Markdown
Open source: yes
Website: https://hexo.io/
Herbie
Herbie is a simple, blog-aware, static site generator. Composer support - simple installation - no database - just text files.
Technology: PHP
Templating: Twig
Formatting: Markdown
Open source: yes
Website: https://getherbie.org/
HTMLy
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
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/
Jekyll
Transform your plain text into static websites and blogs.
Technology: Ruby
Templating: Liquid
Formatting: Markdown
Open source: yes
Website: http://jekyllrb.com/
Kirby
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/
MetalSmith
An extremely simple, pluggable static site generator
Technology: Node
Templating: Unopinionated
Formatting: Markdown
Open source: yes
Website: http://www.metalsmith.io/
Mecha
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/
Monstra
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 / HTML
Open source: yes
Website: http://monstra.org
Mozilo
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
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
Nanote simple flat-file blog script, GPL v.3
Technology: PHP
Templating: HTML
Formatting: HTML
Open source: yes
Nesta
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/
Nibbleblog
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/
Orbiter
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
Parvula
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
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/
Phile CMS
A Markdown File Based CMS
Technology: PHP
Templating: Twig
Formatting: Markdown
Open source: yes
Website: http://philecms.github.io/Phile/
Pico
A stupidly simple & blazing fast, flat file CMS.
Technology: PHP
Templating: Twig
Formatting: Markdown
Open source: yes
Website: http://pico.dev7studios.com/index.html
Pluck CMS
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
Pulse CMS
Flat file CMS
Technology: PHP
Templating: PHP
Formatting: HTML and Markdown
Open source: no
Website: http://www.pulsecms.com/
Latest: 4.5 2015-09-13 http://www.pulsecms.com/blog
Puppy CMS
puppyCMS - flat file, responsive, seo-friendly, lightweight and tiny CMS.
Technology: PHP
Templating: PHP
Formatting: HTML and Markdown
Open source: yes
Website: http://puppycms.com
Latest: 1.6 http://puppycms.com/download
Razor CMS
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/
Sculpin
PHP static site generator / flat file cms
Technology: PHP
Templating: Twig
Formatting: Markdown
Open source: yes
Website: https://sculpin.io
Singularity
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/
Sitecake
Simple CMS for your HTML website
Technology: PHP
Templating: Nil
Formatting: HTML
Open source: yes
Website: http://sitecake.com/
Statamic
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/
Sphido
Sphido is a rocket fast, simple, lightweight, easy to hack, flat file CMS for PHP. Supports Markdown and HTML content with Latte template engine.
Technology: PHP
Templating: Latte / PHTML
Formatting: Latte / Markdown / HTML
Open source: yes
Website: http://www.sphido.org/
Typesetter
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
Urubu
A micro CMS for static websites
Technology: Python
Templating: Jinja
Formatting: Markdown
Open source: yes
Website: http://urubu.jandecaluwe.com/
Vodka
Simple and tiny PHP flat-file site engine.
Technology: PHP
Templating: HTML / PHP
Formatting: HTML
Open source: yes
Wintersmith
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
WonderCMS is a simple, secure flat file CMS
Technology: PHP and jQuery
Templating: PHP
Formatting: HTML
Open source: yes
Website: http://wondercms.com/
Yellow
Yellow is for people who make websites.
Technology: PHP
Templating: HTML / PHP
Formatting: Markdown
Open source: yes
Website: http://datenstrom.se/yellow/
ZwiiCMS
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/
Contributions
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!
Open Source Projects
Below is a list of open source projects and modules that I've created that might be of some use to you: