Bludit review
A free, open-source CMS for small websites that do not need a database.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Bludit is a free, open-source, self-hosted content management system for websites and blogs. It stores content in JSON files instead of a database and runs on a web server with PHP support. That makes it a practical fit for small database-free websites where straightforward publishing and low infrastructure requirements matter. Bludit is distributed under the MIT license and is available across web, self-hosted, and API environments.
Its editorial toolkit covers the core needs of a small site: Markdown and WYSIWYG editing, built-in SEO tools, drafts, scheduled publishing, custom content fields, image uploads, and thumbnail generation. Themes handle site customization, while plugins provide extensibility. The API supports authenticated operations for reading and writing site content. Together, these features give Bludit more publishing range than a minimal flat-file editor while keeping its focus on website and blog management.
The main trade-off is ecosystem breadth. The listed integration environment is PHP web servers, and the platform is designed around self-hosting rather than a broader hosted service ecosystem. Bludit is therefore a strong choice for individuals and small teams that want open-source publishing without database configuration, especially when themes, plugins, and basic editorial workflows are enough. Organizations that require clearly defined custom roles, multilingual content-management workflows, or a wider integration surface should consider a CMS built around those needs instead.
Bludit pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Stores content in JSON files without database configuration
- Combines Markdown, WYSIWYG editing, drafts, and scheduled publishing
- Includes themes, plugins, SEO tools, custom fields, and API access
- Where it doesn't
- Requires self-hosting on a web server with PHP support
- Uses a narrower integration model centered on PHP web servers
- May not suit sites needing advanced roles or multilingual workflows
Bludit fact sheet, pricing and score →
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