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Indie alternatives to WordPress

11 products made by independent developers and small teams that do what WordPress does, 9 of them with a free plan. Free and open-source options come first.

At a glance

The alternatives

1. Payload

Open-source Next.js-native headless CMS

Payload is a TypeScript headless CMS and app framework that installs directly into a Next.js app.

Free · Self-hosted, Web · Website ↗

2. Publii

Desktop app for building static websites and blogs

A free desktop CMS that builds fast, secure static websites and blogs locally and syncs them to hosts like GitHub Pages or Netlify.

Free · Windows, Mac, Linux · Website ↗

3. Wagtail

Open-source Django content management system

Wagtail is a Python/Django CMS with a StreamField page editor, also usable headless via its API.

Free · Self-hosted · Website ↗

4. WriteFreely

Open-source, minimalist blogging software

Self-hostable, open-source software for minimalist blogs and writing communities, with federation via ActivityPub.

Free · Self-hosted · Website ↗

5. Ghost

Open-source publishing platform for blogs and paid newsletters

An open-source platform for publishing a website, sending newsletters and running paid memberships. Run by a non-profit foundation; available hosted or self-hosted.

Free plan · Web, Self-hosted, API · Website ↗

6. Pika

Delightful, simple blogging

A blogging platform with a clean editor, custom themes and email subscriptions. For people who want a pleasant personal blog without fuss.

Free plan · Web · Website ↗

7. Storyblok

Headless CMS with a visual editor

Storyblok is a headless CMS with component-based content and a live visual editor for marketers and developers.

Free plan · Web, API · Website ↗

8. Strapi

Open-source headless CMS for JavaScript

Strapi is a Node.js headless CMS with a customizable admin panel and REST or GraphQL APIs, self-hosted or on Strapi Cloud.

Free plan · Web, Self-hosted · Website ↗

9. Webflow

Visual website builder with CMS and hosting

A visual development platform for building responsive websites without code, with a CMS, hosting, interactions and e-commerce.

Free plan · Web · Website ↗

10. Feather

Turn Notion into a blog

Publish an SEO-friendly blog by writing in Notion. Aimed at founders and marketers who already write in Notion.

Paid · Web · Website ↗

11. Micro.blog

Independent microblogging and blog hosting

A blog hosting service and community for short posts, photos and long-form writing on your own domain. Works with the open web and the fediverse.

Paid · Web, iOS, Mac, Android · Website ↗

Questions

Is there a free alternative to WordPress?

Yes. 9 of the 11 indie alternatives listed here have a free plan or are free: Payload, Publii, Wagtail, WriteFreely and 5 more.

Is there an open-source alternative to WordPress?

Payload, Wagtail, WriteFreely, Ghost and 1 more are open source.

Can I self-host an alternative to WordPress?

Yes: Payload, Wagtail, WriteFreely, Ghost and 1 more can run on your own server.

Which WordPress alternatives work on Mac, Windows, iPhone or Android?

On Mac: Publii and Micro.blog. On Windows: Publii. On Linux: Publii. On iPhone and iPad: Micro.blog. On Android: Micro.blog. On the web: Payload, Ghost, Pika and 5 more.

What makes these alternatives to WordPress “indie”?

They are built by independent developers or small teams rather than large companies. Each one is listed because it does the same core job as WordPress.

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