Automad is a free, open-source, database-free flat-file CMS built in PHP, with a page-tree structure and a lightweight in-browser editor.
Category
CMS
Pricing
Free (open source), from Free
Verified
Not yet
Last updated
July 18, 2026
Founded
2015
Web AppAPIOpen SourceTemplatesSelf-Hosted
Overview
Automad is a free, open-source, flat-file content management system built in PHP by developer Marc Anton Dahmen. Instead of relying on a database like MySQL, Automad stores all page content as plain text files organized in a simple folder structure.
This flat-file architecture makes Automad sites easy to back up, version-control with Git, and move between hosting environments, since there is no database to migrate or configure.
Key Features
Automad organizes content in a page-tree structure that mirrors site navigation, and includes a lightweight in-browser editing interface so non-technical users can update content without touching the file system directly.
The platform uses its own templating toolkit for building custom themes, and supports custom fields, multilingual content, and a built-in file/asset management system.
Pricing
Automad is free and open source under the MIT license, with no licensing fees or paid tiers. Users only pay for their own PHP-capable web hosting.
Key Features
Flat-file storage — Content is stored as plain text files instead of a database, simplifying backup and portability.
No database required — Runs on standard PHP hosting without MySQL or similar database setup.
In-browser editor — Lightweight visual editor for content editors to update pages without touching files directly.
Page-tree structure — Content is organized in a tree that mirrors the site's navigation hierarchy.
Custom templating toolkit — Build custom themes using Automad's own lightweight templating system.
Multilingual support — Build and manage content in multiple languages within one Automad site.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Completely free and open source under the MIT license
No database dependency simplifies hosting, backup, and version control
Lightweight and fast, well-suited to small-to-medium brochure sites
Git-friendly since content lives in plain text files
Cons
Smaller plugin/theme ecosystem than database-driven CMS platforms like WordPress
Flat-file architecture can be less efficient at very large scale with thousands of pages
Requires PHP hosting knowledge to install and maintain
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Automad free?
Yes, Automad is free and open source under the MIT license with no licensing fees.
Does Automad require a database?
No, Automad is a flat-file CMS that stores content in plain text files instead of a database.
Can non-technical users edit content in Automad?
Yes, Automad includes a lightweight in-browser editing interface for updating content without editing files directly.
Is Automad good for large websites?
Automad is best suited to small-to-medium sites; very large sites with thousands of pages may be better served by a database-driven CMS.