
Who Concrete CMS is for#
Organizations needing editable websites
Concrete CMS fits teams that need editors to manage pages while developers retain control over hosting and implementation.
Skip if:
Your website is a simple static page that rarely changes.
PHP agencies delivering client sites
The CMS gives agencies an open source base for editable client websites with a familiar PHP dependency workflow.
Skip if:
Your agency is standardized on headless JavaScript CMS workflows.
The problem it solves#
Website teams need editors to update pages without filing a developer ticket for every content change. Hosted site builders solve that for simple sites, but they can lock content, templates, and hosting decisions into a vendor platform.
A CMS has to balance editor usability with developer control. If the editing model is too simple, teams outgrow it; if it is too developer-heavy, content updates slow down and marketing pages go stale.
How it solves it#
Open source CMS foundation
Concrete CMS is an open source CMS built by contributors around the world.
Documentation ecosystem
Concrete CMS has documentation and community contribution paths that help teams evaluate and maintain the CMS.
Composer-based development setup
Concrete CMS supports cloning the repository and using Composer to install third-party dependencies, which fits PHP teams.
Strengths and trade-offs#
Strengths
- Mature CMS projectConcrete CMS has a long project history, including the concrete5 legacy line, which matters for organizations evaluating CMS stability.
- Permissive CMS licensingConcrete CMS is marked MIT licensed, which gives PHP teams a permissive base for client sites and internal website projects.
Trade-offs
- -PHP CMS maintenanceConcrete CMS is best for teams comfortable maintaining a PHP CMS, dependencies, themes, and upgrades. Non-technical teams may prefer a managed website platform.
Install and self-host#
git clone https://github.com/concretecms/concretecms.git
cd concretecms/
composer installWhat it's built on#
- Languages
- JavaScriptPHP
FAQ#
What is Concrete CMS?
Concrete CMS is an open source content management system for building and editing websites.
Is Concrete CMS the same as concrete5?
Concrete CMS used to be called concrete5. Legacy concrete5 versions live in separate branches or repositories.
How do developers install Concrete CMS from source?
Concrete CMS supports cloning the repository and running Composer install for third-party dependencies.
Similar open-source tools#
GrapesJS
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Ycode
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Webstudio
Open source website builder with visual design and CMS
PrestaShop
Open source eCommerce platform for online stores
WooCommerce
Open source WordPress eCommerce with full customization
Ghost
Launch a newsletter or paid membership site on your own server

