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Blogging without a database: 7 database-less Content Management Systems (CMS)

A Content Management System without a database seems so unorthodox that one might feel that it shouldn’t have been put into practice in the first place. Many web site owners might even doubt if it could possibly work. But the fact is, there are plenty of CMS that allow you to run a full fledged website or a blog without requiring a database like MySQL. In some situations, it even makes sense to use a database-less CMS.

But the question is: why would anyone want to do that? Most systems run beautifully under Wordpress or under other powerful CMS like Joomla and Drupal. So why go database less?

database-less-cms

1. Speed: The major advantage of a database-less CMS is speed. Database queries slow down the servers. On a high traffic website this has a dramatic effect on the speed of the site. A database-less website with no server side scripting or database queries is lightening fast.

2. Easy to install/migrate/backup: Setting up and configuring a database for the first install is generally easy. It’s the backing-up and most importantly moving sites between web host that requires too much effort and time. Database-less CMS on the other hand are easy to backup and migrate. Just pack up your files and FTP it to your new server.

3. Easy to edit: A database-less CMS writes files directly to HTML, text or XML files. These files are easier to edit then editing database contents.

4. Simplicity: For a small website, why not take the simple route instead of struggling with complex platforms, which most CMS are? Database-less CMS are perfect for people who has no coding experience.

So let us look at some light Content Management Systems that doesn’t require a database.

1. GetSimple: This is an extremely simple but usable CMS. It stores data in the XML format, supports tags, file uploading, inbuilt back-ups and easy to theme.

Requires UNIX/Linux host, PHP 5.1.3+ and Apache.

2. Pivot is a free CMS written in PHP and doesn’t require a database or any  additional libraries to run.

Features:

  • Sophisticated categories/weblogs system, so you can maintain several weblogs and publish your entries how you like
  • Template based
  • Built in simple search tool
  • Built-in visitor tracking tool
  • Easy to upload and include pictures with your log-entries
  • Allows for making thumbnails of uploaded images
  • Comment system that remembers your visitors
  • Automatically creates RSS and Atom feeds
  • IP-blocking
  • Archiving by week or month, and by category

3. FlatPress is an open source, multi-lingual, extensible almost Wordpress like blogging engine which does not require a database to work. Checkout FlatPress’s own blog to see how it looks.

Features:

  • Stores data as text files
  • Standard-compliant (XHTML valid)
  • Supports comments, tags, categories, RSS, archiving etc
  • Plugin support
  • Widget system
  • Easy to customize with themes
  • Supports Windows Live Writer
  • Requires PHP4 or higher

4. CMSimple: At 100KB it’s one of the smallest CMS available.

Features:

  • Template driven layout using a CSS script
  • The contents of the site is stored in a single HTML-file
  • Written in PHP - it runs on Linux/Apache servers, or on Win32 with Apache or IIS
  • Inbuilt WYSIWYG editor
  • Uploading of images and files
  • Search function
  • Integration with 3rd party scripts possible

5. Guppy is a light weight CMS that doesn’t require any database. It can install and run from any web host, the only thing it requires is PHP. Guppy is extremely powerful and modular CMS that supports plug-ins and third party scripts.

Features:

  • Supports comments, directories, polls, forums, RSS, guestbook, etc
  • Customizable homepage. You can display the last messages of the discussion board, your preferred message drawn from the guestbook, a number of news as you like, a leading article. You choose the boxes to be displayed, in which order and the number of elements to let appear for each one.
  • Make certain website sections private
  • Multiple authors

6. RazorCMS is another very power and flexible CMS despite lacking a database. The core of the database is a tiny 200KB in size. Additional modules called Blades can be installed to increase it’s functionality. It even as 3 WYSIWYG editor to choose from. RazorCMS supports a large number of features suitable for small to moderate blogs and websites. It’s requires only PHP to run.

7. SkyBlue is a PHP based, database-less content management system. However, SkyBlueCanvas includes a lot of the same basic abilities as more robust systems like Joomla and Drupal but in a simpler form.

Features:

  • XML Data Storage (no database required)
  • Extensible
  • Flexible & Powerful Plugin API
  • Skinnable
  • Small in size (3.5MB)
  • Search Engine Friendly URLs (requires mod_rewrite)
  • Customizable Meta Tags (globally or by page)
  • Built-in RSS feed creation of pages, articles and news items

Most of the CMS discussed above have demos on their site where you can login to their Admin page and take a look around. Be sure to try it out.

Comments

  1. Great info to follow the steps mentioned in choosing a reliable cms system for a website

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for compiling this together! Came in handy as I'm in need of a db-less CMS.

    ReplyDelete
  3. and if you don't have php and don't mind the offline management, check thingamablog

    ReplyDelete
  4. legal esse software

    ReplyDelete
  5. I've recently tried Pluck, and found the admin/editor interface to be best of class for clients.

    ReplyDelete
  6. is this some kind of php based list of database less CMS? kinda discriminating other platforms

    ReplyDelete
  7. @Google(??): I don't think it amounts to discriminating. If you write about Wordpress, are you discriminating against Drupal?

    ReplyDelete
  8. I like Proofcms for managing and handling my website. This software helps to maintain my website with up-to-date and professional content.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Excellent and thanks a lot

    ReplyDelete
  10. May I suggest or free-for-non-commercial-use Desktop CMS Zeta Producer to add to your list?

    Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  11. may I know what cms are you using now?

    ReplyDelete
  12. @Dedy: This is Google's Blogger platform.

    ReplyDelete
  13. cms.libe.net is a php based, database less cms with integrated templates, very simple flexible and easy to use http://cms.libe.net

    ReplyDelete
  14. Monstra - fast and small CMS! http://monstra.org/

    ReplyDelete
  15. Thanks a lot for this! I've been looking all over for something like this!

    ReplyDelete
  16. texTPress is a web application to publish the information through the website which is created by php using text files as data storage. texTPress is built without the need for setting the database. Once you finish putting the files to the server, this application can be executed directly.

    texTPress has the ability to automatic blogging and blogging manual. You can also change templates with ease and without a complicated setup to start running. Including SEO settings are automatically set

    ReplyDelete
  17. Thanks for post after trying a few things put, Razor cms they need more basic themes, I am going to try the sky blue canvas it is perfectly what I was looking for with the best themes as well.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Forum software, gallery, wiki, blog, community all in one, DATABASE-LESS & stand alone (portable):
    http://cmsdatabaseless.com/ 10x fast!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Is there any CMS that does not use databases supports remote publishing?

    ReplyDelete
  20. You forgot about Nibbleblog.com
    It does not require database and for sure lightweight.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Mecha is another database–less CMS, it supports plugins and themes, also with complete documentation.

    http://mecha-cms.com

    ReplyDelete

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