ProcessWire is an open source PHP CMS and framework. Every field is a custom field, you control all markup, and content is a page tree you query through a simple API. The core is free; extras such as forms and caching are paid Pro modules.
ProcessWire was first released as open source in 2010, under the Mozilla Public License 2.0. Earlier closed-source versions existed as Dictator CMS (2003) and ProcessWire 1.0 (2006). The project is self-hosted: you download the core and run it on your own PHP server.
Content is a hierarchical page tree. Developers define custom fields, write their own templates and query pages with selectors through the API. Multi-language, role-based access control, hooks and a modular architecture are part of the core. The vendor says it has run a site with 2 million pages.
Strengths
Watch out for
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.
Free
No licence fee. Open source under the Mozilla Public License 2.0.
Developers and agencies who build custom sites in PHP
Costs extra
Pro modules are sold separately. You bring your own hosting.
From $89 per module, once
One-time purchase with a year of support and upgrades. FormBuilder and ProCache are $89 for one site or $189 for developers; ProFields is $189.
Sites that need forms, caching, mailing or drafts beyond the core
Costs extra
Each module is bought separately.
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.
