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Best open-source CMS

The best open-source CMS split in the c17.io catalog is Ghost for a publisher (site + members + newsletter), WordPress.org for the classic CMS, and Payload or Strapi Community for a headless API. Directus is listed with a caveat: the current license is MSCL-1.0-GPL, not OSI. The published site combo is /stacks/ghost-cms; the headless combo is /stacks/directus-cms.

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Ranked picks

  1. 1

    Ghost

    MIT publishing, memberships, and newsletters — the c17 WordPress.com/Squarespace/Medium stack.

    When to pick it: A site that is also the publication.

    55,549 stars in the catalog

  2. 2

    WordPress

    GPL-2.0 CMS (WordPress.org, not WordPress.com).

    When to pick it: The software WordPress.com wraps, with plugins you already know.

    21,477 stars in the catalog

  3. 3

    Payload

    MIT TypeScript headless CMS and admin — preferred on the Contentful stack.

    When to pick it: Collections next to a Next.js app.

    45,291 stars in the catalog

  4. 4

    Strapi

    MIT Community Edition headless CMS. Cloud is the meter /replace/strapi-cloud leaves; skip ee/ if you want OSS-only.

    When to pick it: A headless API the team already knows.

    73,323 stars in the catalog

  5. 5

    Directus

    Turns a database into an API and admin. License is MSCL-1.0-GPL, not OSI.

    When to pick it: A source-available data studio, not the OSS path.

    38,544 stars in the catalog

How they compare

ToolLicenseSelf-hostBest for
GhostMIT LicenseEasyA site that is also the publication.
WordPressGNU General Public License v2.0EasyThe software WordPress.com wraps, with plugins you already know.
PayloadMIT LicenseMediumCollections next to a Next.js app.
StrapiMIT LicenseMediumA headless API the team already knows.
DirectusMSCL-1.0-GPLMediumA source-available data studio, not the OSS path.

Related pages

FAQ

Ghost or WordPress?
Ghost if the product is a publication. WordPress.org if you want the CMS family WordPress.com rents back to you. That is the stack FAQ.
Why not Directus as the default?
Useful, and not OSI open source. MSCL-1.0-GPL allows internal use; Competing Use is forbidden. Payload and Strapi Community are MIT today — that is the stack FAQ.
Are these free?
Ghost, WordPress.org, Payload, and Strapi Community are OSI as listed. Directus is source-available. You pay hosting. Template users never pay c17.
How do I deploy it?
Open /stacks/ghost-cms for a site, or /stacks/directus-cms for a headless API (Payload or Strapi Community). Railway CTAs stay on those pages.

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