---
title: "Decap CMS"
description: "Best battle-tested free panel. Free. Number 2 of 16 in the Git-based CMS ranking, checked against decapcms.org on 2026-09-03."
url: "https://bestgitbasedcms.com/tools/decap-cms"
updated: "2026-09-04"
source: "bestgitbasedcms.com"
---

# Decap CMS

> Best battle-tested free panel. Free. Number 2 of 16 in the Git-based CMS ranking, checked against decapcms.org on 2026-09-03.

Source: https://bestgitbasedcms.com/tools/decap-cms. Updated 2026-09-04. Written by Andrew Chemerynskiy.

Any page of this site has a Markdown version at its own address plus /index.md. The whole site is at /llms-full.txt, the index at /llms.txt.

- Rank: 2 of 16
- Category: Git-based panel
- Price: Free
- Model: Self-hosted panel
- Setup: config.yml + OAuth
- Review flow: Drafts via editorial workflow
- Git hosts: GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, Gitea, Azure DevOps
- Site: https://decapcms.org
- Profile: https://bestgitbasedcms.com/tools/decap-cms
- Facts checked: 2026-09-03 against decapcms.org

## 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 | Setup | Review flow | Price |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Self-hosted panel | config.yml + OAuth | Drafts via editorial workflow | Free |

Prices are what decapcms.org printed on 2026-09-03. Check before you buy.

## Alternatives to Decap CMS

- [Keystatic](https://bestgitbasedcms.com/tools/keystatic): Best for technical editors who want clean files. #4 in the ranking, Free; Cloud from $10/mo.
- [Sveltia CMS](https://bestgitbasedcms.com/tools/sveltia-cms): Best modern take on the free panel. #5 in the ranking, Free (MIT).
- [Pages CMS](https://bestgitbasedcms.com/tools/pages-cms): Best free option with hosting and sign-in handled. #6 in the ranking, Free (MIT).

Tags: Free, Open source, Framework-neutral, PR drafts.

Previous in the ranking: CMS Brew (#1), https://bestgitbasedcms.com/tools/cms-brew

Next in the ranking: TinaCMS (#3), https://bestgitbasedcms.com/tools/tinacms

Full ranking: https://bestgitbasedcms.com/