The default configuration permits uploads of any file type and uses a default security key.
Administrators should change the key, restrict upload types, and review server security settings before exposing a production installation.
Evidence source ↗
Cockpit CMS
Cockpit CMS is a self-hosted headless CMS with REST and GraphQL APIs, flexible content models, localization, and optional Pro addons.
Editorial overview
Aggregated Overview
Official documentation verifies flexible content models, APIs, localization, roles, and self-hosted deployment. Value reflects free Core and a one-time Pro license; buyers must manage hosting and security hardening.
This profile combines documented product information and independent evidence where available. It is not a hands-on test unless TechZella explicitly identifies one.
Cockpit CMS Decision Snapshot
A quick way to understand who this product may suit, where its limits matter, and which facts are most relevant before you compare alternatives.
Best suited to
Development teams and agencies seeking self-hosted structured content APIs, control over infrastructure, and a one-time Pro license rather than recurring seat or API-call pricing.
Look elsewhere if
Teams seeking a vendor-hosted SaaS service, a managed operational burden, or a CMS that renders a complete frontend without development work may need another approach, and should evaluate alternatives such as Strapi or Sanity instead.
Platforms
Docker, GraphQL API, PHP, REST API, Self-hosted
TechZella assessment
7.5/10
Overview
Cockpit CMS is a self-hosted headless content management system from Agentejo. It stores structured content and supplies it to websites, applications, and other frontends through REST and GraphQL APIs.
Its Core edition is free. The paid Pro edition adds optional workflow and editorial addons. Buyers provide the hosting environment and handle server configuration, maintenance, and security hardening.
Cockpit CMS — What Sets It Apart?
These are the product-specific differences that may matter when deciding whether the software fits your workflow. They are based on documented evidence rather than a universal ranking.
- Self-hosted deployment keeps the content database on infrastructure selected by the buyer.
- Pro licensing is priced per production project, with development and staging environments included.
- REST and GraphQL APIs, flexible content models, and multi-site Spaces serve custom frontends and multi-brand setups.
6 key claims verifiedOur editorial team checked this profile against pricing information, vendor documentation, product documentation. Supported by 5 documented sources.
Cockpit CMS Pros & Cons
Pros
- Free Core edition and paid Pro licensed per project.
- Self-hosted deployment keeps content on infrastructure controlled by the buyer.
- REST and GraphQL APIs allow custom frontend and application integrations.
- Flexible content models, localization, user roles, and multi-site Spaces support varied content structures.
- Official installation documentation provides Docker deployment steps.
Cons
- Buyers are responsible for hosting, maintenance, and server hardening.
- Requires PHP 8.3 or later and compatible storage configuration.
- Pro licensing is per production project, so multiple live sites may require additional licenses.
- Default settings require security changes before production deployment.
- Pro updates after the first year cost u20ac99 annually if continued updates are desired.
Cockpit CMS Gotchas & Operational Limits
These are documented constraints or practical friction points that may matter before you adopt the product.
The free Pro evaluation is restricted to non-public development environments.
Teams need a separate production license before putting a Pro installation live.
Evidence source ↗The Pro license covers one production site, while staging and development environments are unlimited.
Multi-site production deployments may need additional project licenses; confirm the license count during procurement.
Evidence source ↗Cockpit CMS Pricing & Plans
Cockpit Core
€0
Free
Open-source Core edition, available at no charge.
Check current pricing →Cockpit Pro
€299
Per project
One production-site license, with unlimited development and staging environments; includes one year of updates.
Check current pricing →Pro update renewal
€99
Year
Optional annual renewal after the first year to continue receiving updates; the existing version can continue to be used without renewal.
Check current pricing →Enterprise
Quote-based
Contact Agentejo for individual licensing requirements, consulting, or higher-level support.
Check current pricing →Pricing may change. Verify current plans on the vendor's website.
Cockpit CMS Competitors & Alternatives
Compare similar products directly, then see which alternatives may make more sense when your requirements differ.
Direct competitors
These products address broadly similar requirements. The descriptions focus on documented reasons a buyer might compare them with Cockpit CMS.
Cockpit CMS Features
Content management
- Flexible content models including Collections, Singletons, and Trees
- 20+ field types
- Localization and locale management
- Asset management and image processing
- Roles and granular permissions
- Multi-site Spaces
API and integrations
- REST API
- GraphQL API
- Content and asset API operations
- Webhooks through Pro addon
- Frontend integration guides for Next.js, Nuxt, and Laravel
Pro addons
- Environment synchronization
- Visual layout builder
- Page management and routing
- Advanced full-text search
- AI-assisted content functions
- Cloud storage support
Demo & Screenshots
Cockpit CMS Specifications
| Deployment | Self-hosted |
|---|---|
| Runtime | PHP 8.3 or later |
| Database | SQLite or MongoDB |
| Minimum PHP memory | 256 MB |
| API | REST and GraphQL |
| Installation options | Web server installation or Docker |
| Pro licensing | One production site per license; unlimited development and staging environments |
| Free trial | Pro may be evaluated on non-public development environments without a time or feature limit |
Deployment & System Footprint
Verified installation, hosting, administration, or environment details that can affect implementation.
| Hosting | Self-hosted on the buyer’s infrastructure; no hosted SaaS deployment is documented on the official pricing page. Source ↗ |
|---|---|
| Runtime requirements | PHP 8.3 or later, at least 256 MB PHP memory, a modern web server, and PDO with SQLite or the MongoDB extension. Source ↗ |
| Container support | Official installation documentation includes Docker instructions and persistent storage configuration. Source ↗ |
Migration & Lock-In
Documented portability, standards, export, or switching considerations. No switching-cost score is shown unless the evidence supports one.
Data portability
The vendor says content can be exported and remains on the buyer’s server; it describes importing from other CMSs through the API or directly into the database.
Evidence source ↗Our evidence-based assessment
TechZella Score
A proprietary editorial score based on product capabilities, usability, value, performance, support and user sentiment evidence.
7.5/10Moderate confidence
Official documentation verifies flexible content models, APIs, localization, roles, and self-hosted deployment. Value reflects free Core and a one-time Pro license; buyers must manage hosting and security hardening.
Methodology v1.0. The assessment weighs feature coverage (25%), ease of use (15%), value for money (20%), performance (15%), support (10%) and user sentiment (15%), using researched product evidence and verified review evidence where available. It is a TechZella editorial assessment, not a direct user-review average.
Editorial transparency
Our Review Methodology
Key claims are linked to the sources used to verify them. This evidence record is separate from third-party user ratings.
TechZella evaluates software using documented product capabilities, pricing information, usability and value considerations, independent user evidence where available, and competitive context. The assessment is an editorial review, not a hands-on test unless one is explicitly identified. Our editorial assessment is based on 5 documented sources.
What TechZella adds
- Self-hosted deployment keeps the content database on infrastructure selected by the buyer.
- Pro licensing is priced per production project, with development and staging environments included.
- REST and GraphQL APIs, flexible content models, and multi-site Spaces serve custom frontends and multi-brand setups.
Important limitations
- Self-hosting requires buyers to provision and maintain a PHP environment and manage server hardening.
- Cockpit documentation warns that its default configuration allows all file-upload types and uses a default security key, so administrators must harden settings before production.
- The Pro license covers one production site; additional sites require separate licensing.
Evidence-backed claimsCockpit offers a free Core version and a €299 Pro license per project. A Pro license includes one year of updates, with subsequent updates available for €99 per year. Cockpit provides REST and GraphQL APIs and supports flexible content models. Cockpit requires PHP 8.3 or later and supports SQLite or MongoDB storage. The product is self-hosted and was developed from agency needs in 2011. The default configuration needs security changes before production use.
The official pricing page lists Cockpit Core as free and Pro at €299 per project.
View source ↗Verified 2026-10-12The official licensing FAQ states the update inclusion and renewal price.
View source ↗Verified 2026-10-12The official documentation describes REST and GraphQL endpoints and content structures including Collections, Singletons, and Trees.
View source ↗Verified 2026-10-12The official system requirements list PHP 8.3+, PDO with SQLite support or the MongoDB extension, and a 256 MB minimum PHP memory allocation.
View source ↗Verified 2026-10-12Cockpit’s official product overview describes its self-hosted architecture and origins in 2011.
View source ↗Verified 2026-10-12Official configuration guidance warns that default settings permit uploads of any type and include a default security key, and places server hardening responsibility on users.
View source ↗Verified 2026-10-12Community feedback
Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience.
Write a Review
Please log in to submit a review.
FAQ
Is Cockpit CMS free? Cockpit Core is free. Pro costs €299 per project, with an optional €99 annual update renewal after the first year.
Is Cockpit hosted? Cockpit is self-hosted. The buyer installs and operates it on a PHP-capable server or Docker environment.
Which APIs does Cockpit support? The official documentation describes REST and GraphQL APIs for content and asset operations.
Can teams try Pro? Yes. The vendor permits evaluation on non-public development environments without a time limit or feature restrictions.
What should administrators secure? Change the default security key, restrict upload types, and harden the server configuration before production use.
Recently added software
- Fork CMS · Content Management System
- Kirby · Content Management System
- Forestry (Tina Cloud) · Content Management System
- CloudCannon · Content Management System
- TinaCMS · Content Management System
- DatoCMS · Content Management System
- Cosmic · Content Management System
- ButterCMS · Content Management System