Ratals CMS
Ratals CMS is an open-source system for building and managing websites, with options for web use and self-hosting on your own infrastructure.
What Ratals CMS is
Ratals CMS is an open-source system for building and managing websites, with options for web use and self-hosting on your own infrastructure. Its core is licensed under Apache 2.0, so it can be modified and deployed commercially without licensing fees. Teams can assemble customizable page sections in the admin area with the Sub-Item builder, and the built-in Forms Builder supports reusable fields and product or quote requests. One installation can manage multiple websites with separate site settings, domains, caching, HTTPS preferences, hreflang, and SMTP configuration. URL-level controls cover search metadata and related settings, including titles, descriptions, canonical URLs, robots directives, and sitemaps. The CMS also includes security protections and one-click updates from the admin area, with update permissions assignable to individual administrators. The download page lists PHP 8.1+, MySQL 8.0+, and a server tested on Nginx, Apache, and LiteSpeed. The CMS plan has no listed price; Ratals Commerce, which includes CMS, is $79 a month.
Good
- Apache 2.0 core permits commercial modification and deployment.
- Self-hosting is supported.
- One installation can manage multiple websites.
- Built-in forms support reusable fields and quote requests.
- Admin area provides one-click software updates.
Watch out
- Requires PHP 8.1+ and MySQL 8.0+.
- CMS plan has no listed price.
- Ratals Commerce is $79 a month.
Who it suits
Ratals CMS suits teams that want an open-source website manager they can self-host and customize. It may also fit organizations managing multiple sites or building pages and forms from an admin interface.
Verdict
Ratals CMS combines self-hosting, multi-site management, page-building tools, and forms under an Apache 2.0 core license. Check its listed PHP and MySQL requirements and note that the CMS plan itself has no listed price.
Plans and prices
From Ratals CMS's own pricing page, checked 1 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Ratals Commerce | $79 a month | 1 domain connection · additional domains $10/month · includes CMS · monthly |
| Ratals ERP | $199 a month | 1 domain connection · additional domains $10/month · includes Commerce · monthly |
| Ratals AI | $299 a month | 1 domain connection · additional domains $10/month · includes ERP · monthly |
| Ratals CMS | Free | unlimited domain connections · Apache 2.0 license · full source code access |
The facts
Each one read from Ratals CMS's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Content building
- The Sub-Item builder lets teams assemble customizable page sections from the admin without developer work.checked 1 Oct 2026
- Forms
- The built-in Forms Builder supports unlimited forms, reusable fields, product and quote requests, and embedding through short codes.checked 1 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Core CMS features are built in without plugins, third-party services, or additional licenses; email uses SMTP with SPF, DKIM, and DMARC support.checked 1 Oct 2026
- License
- The CMS core is licensed under Apache 2.0 and can be modified and deployed commercially without licensing fees.checked 1 Oct 2026
- Multi-site
- Ratals can run multiple websites from one installation with separate site settings, domains, caching, HTTPS preferences, hreflang, and SMTP configuration.checked 1 Oct 2026
- Paid from
- 79checked 20 Sep 2026
- Purpose
- Ratals CMS is a free, open-source website content management system for building and managing websites.checked 1 Oct 2026
- Security
- Built-in protections include restricted application-file access, SQL injection protection, XSS protection, Content Security Policy enforcement, session validation, CSRF protection, and traffic monitoring.checked 1 Oct 2026
- Self-hosting
- Users can customize and self-host Ratals CMS on their own infrastructure.checked 1 Oct 2026
- SEO
- Every URL includes controls for meta titles, descriptions, canonical URLs, robots directives, hreflang, H1 content, breadcrumbs, sitemaps, search visibility, authorship, and dates.checked 1 Oct 2026
- Support
- Ratals offers technical support through its contact form and lists support hours as Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.checked 1 Oct 2026
- System requirements
- The download page lists PHP 8.1+, MySQL 8.0+, and a web server tested on Nginx, Apache, and LiteSpeed.checked 1 Oct 2026
- Updates
- Ratals provides one-click software updates from the admin area, with update permissions assignable to individual admin users.checked 1 Oct 2026
Money
- Free plan
- Yeschecked 20 Sep 2026
The company
- Headquarters
- Salt Lake City, Utah, United Stateschecked 28 Sep 2026
- Maker
- Rob Cuppett is identified as Ratals' founder and lead engineer, and the Ratals idea is described as beginning in 2005.checked 1 Oct 2026




