Decap CMS
Best battle-tested free panel
What Decap CMS is
Decap CMS, formerly Netlify CMS, is the longest-serving Git-based panel: a form admin over a config.yml, framework-neutral because it never touches your site's runtime. On GitHub its editorial workflow moves drafts through pull requests, the closest thing to a review step in the free panel family.
It shows its age in places. The classic Git Gateway login path is deprecated, so sign-in is an OAuth app you run, and the form admin is dated. Development has picked up again, with regular 2026 releases and Decap Turbo, a hosted layer in closed beta that promises hosted auth for a free single-site tier and €19 a month beyond it.
Why it is number 2
The default. Free, works with any static site generator, and the 3.x line ships again. The config file stays your job.
Pros
- Free, mature, works with any static site generator
- Editorial workflow gives PR-based drafts on GitHub
- Large installed base and years of community answers
Cons
Skip it if one of these is a deal-breaker.
- config.yml written and maintained per site
- Bring-your-own OAuth until Decap Turbo leaves closed beta
- Dated form admin that rare editors never quite learn
Pricing
Free and open source.
- Model
- Self-hosted panel
- Setup
- config.yml + OAuth
- Review flow
- Drafts via editorial workflow
- Price
- Free
Prices are what decapcms.org printed on . Check before you buy.
Alternatives to Decap CMS
- Keystatic
Best for technical editors who want clean files
#4 in the ranking. Free; Cloud from $10/mo
- Sveltia CMS
Best modern take on the free panel
#5 in the ranking. Free (MIT)
- Pages CMS
Best free option with hosting and sign-in handled
#6 in the ranking. Free (MIT)
- Free
- Open source
- Framework-neutral
- PR drafts
