A public website needs a paid per-site license, and the buyer supplies hosting and a domain.
The license price is not the full operating cost; hosting and domain charges are separate.
Evidence source ↗
Kirby
Kirby is a self-hosted, file-based CMS with a customizable browser Panel, PHP templates, plugins, and REST API options for traditional or headless websites.
Editorial overview
Aggregated Overview
Scores reflect documented customization, content workflows, API options, and license terms. G2's small review sample supports only cautious sentiment conclusions; performance and support scores are editorial assessments, not benchmark results.
This profile combines documented product information and independent evidence where available. It is not a hands-on test unless TechZella explicitly identifies one.
Kirby 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
Developers and agencies building custom websites who want a configurable editor interface, file-based content storage, and the option to use a traditional or decoupled frontend.
Look elsewhere if
Teams seeking a hosted, managed CMS or a database-first platform may prefer a different architecture; Kirby requires hosting, domain setup, and PHP-compatible server administration, and should evaluate alternatives such as WordPress or Grav instead.
Platforms
API, On-premises, Self-hosted, Web
TechZella assessment
7.9/10
Overview
Kirby is a self-hosted content management system from Content Folder GmbH & Co. KG. It stores standard site content in files and folders, while its browser-based Panel gives editors a configurable interface for managing that content.
Developers define content forms and structures with blueprints, then build a website using PHP templates or connect another frontend through Kirby’s API options. The file-based model avoids requiring a database for standard content, but customers remain responsible for hosting and server configuration.
Kirby — 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.
- Content is stored as files and folders rather than requiring a database for standard use.
- The Panel's editing interface is defined through blueprints and can be tailored to pages, files, and user roles.
- Kirby supports both rendered websites and decoupled frontends through its REST API, content representations, and KQL.
6 key claims verifiedOur editorial team checked this profile against pricing information, vendor documentation, product documentation. Supported by 6 documented sources.
Kirby Pros & Cons
Pros
- Content is stored in files and folders and can be edited outside the Panel.
- Blueprints let developers tailor editing interfaces to content types and roles.
- REST API and KQL support decoupled frontend approaches.
- Published licensing is a one-time per-site purchase rather than a recurring subscription.
Cons
- Customers must supply hosting and a domain.
- Public production websites require a paid license.
- Implementation requires PHP-compatible hosting and developer configuration.
- The Basic license is limited by customer revenue or funding.
Kirby Gotchas & Operational Limits
These are documented constraints or practical friction points that may matter before you adopt the product.
The Basic license has a customer revenue or funding limit of less than €1 million.
For client projects, eligibility is based on the client's revenue or funding, not the agency's.
Evidence source ↗Kirby 5 requires PHP 8.2 or later and major upgrades may require code changes.
Buyers should check their hosting runtime and custom plugins before planning an upgrade.
Evidence source ↗Kirby Pricing & Plans
Kirby Basic
€99
one-time
Per-site license for eligible customers with annual revenue or funding below €1 million. Includes three years of feature updates; VAT may apply.
Check current pricing →Kirby Enterprise
€349
one-time
Per-site license for companies and organizations of any size. Includes three years of feature updates; VAT may apply.
Check current pricing →Development and trial
€0
free
Local development and private testing are free; public production use requires a paid license.
Check current pricing →Pricing may change. Verify current plans on the vendor's website.
Kirby 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 Kirby.
Kirby Features
Content and editing
- File-and-folder content storage
- Configurable Panel forms through blueprints
- File and media management
- Multilingual content support
Publishing and access
- Draft, unlisted, and listed page states
- Custom user roles and permissions
- Preview and collaboration features in Kirby 5
Development and integration
- PHP templates and APIs
- REST API with customizable endpoints
- KQL for non-destructive content queries
- Community plugin ecosystem
Demo & Screenshots
Kirby Specifications
| Deployment | Self-hosted |
|---|---|
| License scope | One installation on one domain |
| Content storage | Files and folders; no database required for standard content |
| Server requirements | PHP 8.2 or later for Kirby 5; POSIX-compatible server with URL rewriting |
| Supported web servers | Apache, nginx, and Caddy configurations are documented |
| API | REST API, KQL, and custom routes |
| Free trial | Online demo, local installation, and private development/testing |
| Feature updates | Three years included with paid licenses |
Deployment & System Footprint
Verified installation, hosting, administration, or environment details that can affect implementation.
| Hosting | Self-hosted; the licensee supplies the hosting and domain. Documented server options include Apache, nginx, and Caddy. Source ↗ |
|---|---|
| Server requirements | Kirby 5 requires PHP 8.2 or later and a POSIX-compatible server operating system with URL rewriting. Source ↗ |
Migration & Lock-In
Documented portability, standards, export, or switching considerations. No switching-cost score is shown unless the evidence supports one.
Content migration
Kirby's migration guide describes importing content through scripts or plugins, structuring pages as folders and text files, and moving media files alongside content.
Evidence source ↗Our evidence-based assessment
TechZella Score
A proprietary editorial score based on product capabilities, usability, value, performance, support and user sentiment evidence.
7.9/10Moderate confidence
Scores reflect documented customization, content workflows, API options, and license terms. G2's small review sample supports only cautious sentiment conclusions; performance and support scores are editorial assessments, not benchmark results.
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 6 documented sources.
What TechZella adds
- Content is stored as files and folders rather than requiring a database for standard use.
- The Panel's editing interface is defined through blueprints and can be tailored to pages, files, and user roles.
- Kirby supports both rendered websites and decoupled frontends through its REST API, content representations, and KQL.
Important limitations
- Kirby is self-hosted, so customers must provide and manage hosting and a domain.
- A paid license is required when a site is publicly launched; the license covers one installation on one domain.
- Kirby 5 requires PHP 8.2 or later, and major-version upgrades can involve breaking changes.
Evidence-backed claimsKirby stores standard site content in files and folders. Kirby licenses are sold per site as one-time purchases. Kirby can provide content to decoupled frontends through its API options. Kirby's editing interface can be configured using blueprints. Kirby supports role-based user permissions and content publishing states. The vendor identifies Content Folder GmbH & Co. KG as the company behind Kirby.
The official content guide describes Kirby as a flat-file CMS and identifies the content folder as its primary data source.
View source ↗Verified 2026-10-13The pricing page lists Basic and Enterprise per-site prices and describes the license as a one-time payment.
View source ↗Verified 2026-10-13Official documentation describes REST API access, content representations, KQL, and custom routes for headless use.
View source ↗Verified 2026-10-13The documentation explains that blueprints configure Panel forms for pages, files, users, and other content structures.
View source ↗Verified 2026-10-13Official guides describe custom user roles and permissions, as well as draft, unlisted, and listed page states.
View source ↗Verified 2026-10-13Kirby's contact page lists the company, its Neckargemünd address, and Bastian Allgeier as general manager.
View source ↗Verified 2026-10-13Community feedback
Reviews
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FAQ
Is Kirby hosted? No. Kirby is self-hosted, and customers provide the hosting and domain.
Can I try Kirby for free? Yes. Kirby offers an online demo and permits local development and private testing without a production license.
Does Kirby have an API? Yes. It includes a REST API, with options for custom endpoints and decoupled frontend use. KQL provides a query interface for non-destructive content access.
Does Kirby require a database? Standard content is stored in files and folders, so a database is not required for the basic file-based setup. Kirby can also integrate or import database data.
What does a Kirby license cover? A license permits one installation on one domain. Basic and Enterprise differ in price and revenue eligibility.
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