Kirby is a self-hosted PHP CMS that keeps content in plain text files and folders instead of a database. Developers write their own templates, editors get a clean Panel with blocks and layouts, and a one-time licence per site replaces any subscription.
Kirby has been sold since 2012 by a small team in Germany. It stores every page as a folder with text files and media, so content can be versioned with Git, backed up by copying files and edited in any text editor. There is no database to install or secure.
Developers build the front end with PHP templates, controllers and page models, or swap in Twig or Blade. Editors work in the Panel, an admin built on Vue.js, with blocks and layout fields, drag-and-drop uploads and built-in multi-language support. The REST API also lets Kirby run headless behind a static site generator or an app. The code is public on GitHub, but a paid licence is needed to go live.
Strengths
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What each plan costs and what the bill is counted by: seats, sites, usage or a one-off license. The bottom of each card shows what you pay on top.
€99 once, per site
One-time payment, plus VAT. Includes 3 years of updates.
Individuals and organizations with under €1 million yearly revenue or funding
Costs extra
Three more years of updates cost €59. You bring your own hosting.
€349 once, per site
One-time payment, plus VAT. Includes 3 years of updates.
Companies and organizations of any size
Costs extra
Three more years of updates cost €249. You bring your own hosting.
Prices checked See current prices on the vendor's site
Free, included in the cheapest plan, on a higher plan, or enterprise only. Open a feature to compare it across every platform.
