Inkwell
Inkwell is a free, open-source blogging platform that operators host on their own servers.
What Inkwell is
Inkwell is a free, open-source blogging platform that operators host on their own servers. Built on .NET 10, it runs on Linux, Windows, or macOS and supports containerized deployment with a Dockerfile. Authors can write visually or in Markdown, draft and schedule posts, send them for review, and restore saved revisions. The platform provides 20 editorial Layouts and 16 colour Presets that can be changed without a rebuild or migration. One installation can host multiple blogs, each separated by URL slug and using its own Layout, Preset, and posts. Team options include Admin, Editor, and Author roles, granular permissions, contributor bylines, and an immutable audit trail. Published posts support Unicode languages, though the Editorial Desk interface is in English and full right-to-left layout support is on the roadmap. Inkwell uses Microsoft SQL Server 2019 or later. Its maker says it sends no telemetry and makes no outbound connections to third-party services. The Inkwell plan is free forever, with no subscription or usage limits, under the MIT license.
Good
- Compose visually or in Markdown
- Schedule posts and restore saved revisions
- Host multiple blogs in one installation
- No subscription or usage limits on the free plan
Watch out
- SQL Server is the only supported database provider
- Editorial Desk interface is in English
- Full right-to-left layout support is on the roadmap
- No plugin marketplace
Who it suits
Inkwell suits writers and teams seeking a self-hosted blog with post scheduling, review, and revision restoration. Its multiple-blog setup and role-based permissions may also suit operators managing several contributors or publications.
Verdict
Inkwell provides self-hosted publishing, team controls, and multiple blogs without a subscription. Its SQL Server requirement and English-only editorial interface are important constraints to weigh.
Plans and prices
From Inkwell's own pricing page, checked 11 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Inkwell | Free | No usage limits · self-hosted · MIT license · Free forever; no subscription |
| Enhancement | $99, paid once | Fixed-bid project quote per feature · two rounds of revisions included · Billed hourly · quoted per feature |
| Support | $299 a month | Up to 4 hours of minor work each month · security patches within 48 hours · Billed monthly · no minimum term |
| Installation | $499, paid once | One tenant · one Layout · one Preset · 30-day post-launch warranty · Fixed quote after a short brief |
| Studio | $2,400, paid once | Custom Layout and Preset · source files included · No license fees or ongoing royalties |
The facts
Each one read from Inkwell's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Blog analytics
- Yeschecked 21 Sep 2026
- Compliance
- The maker describes its self-hosted architecture as compatible with GDPR, CCPA, and other data-sovereignty regulations, with the operator as data controller.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Custom domain
- Yeschecked 21 Sep 2026
- Deployment
- It runs on Linux, Windows, or macOS and supports containerized deployments with a Dockerfile.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Editor
- Authors can compose visually or in Markdown, draft and schedule posts, send them for review, and restore saved revisions.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The documentation describes SMTP email configuration, including a default port of 587 with STARTTLS.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Language support
- Published content supports Unicode languages, while the Editorial Desk interface is in English and full right-to-left layout support is on the roadmap.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Multi-tenancy
- One installation can host multiple blogs, with tenants isolated by URL slug and their own Layout, Preset, and posts.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Notable limits
- The product has no plugin marketplace, and the documentation identifies SQL Server as its only supported database provider.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Post scheduling
- Yeschecked 21 Sep 2026
- Privacy
- The maker says Inkwell makes no outbound connections to third-party services and sends no telemetry; self-hosting keeps data on the operator’s server.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Inkwell is a free, open-source, self-hosted blogging platform built on .NET 10 for writers who care about typography and content ownership.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Support
- The optional monthly support retainer includes priority bug triage, security patches within 48 hours, quarterly upgrades, private email, and scheduled office hours.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Technology
- Inkwell uses ASP.NET Core MVC on .NET 10, Dapper with raw SQL, server-rendered HTML, and Microsoft SQL Server 2019 or later.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Theme customization
- custom codechecked 21 Sep 2026
- Themes
- Inkwell provides 20 editorial Layouts and 16 colour Presets that can be changed without a rebuild or migration.checked 11 Oct 2026
The company
- Founded
- 2025checked 28 Sep 2026
- Headquarters
- India and the United Kingdomchecked 28 Sep 2026
- Team features
- The maker lists Admin, Editor, and Author roles with granular permissions, contributor bylines, and an immutable audit trail.checked 11 Oct 2026
Money
- Free plan
- Yeschecked 21 Sep 2026
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