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Joomla

Open-source PHP CMS with extensions, templates and multilingual tooling.

What it is

Joomla is GPL-licensed open-source content-management software built on PHP and a supported relational database. Core includes publishing, users, access controls and multilingual capabilities, while components, modules, plugins, templates and language packages extend the site; administrators remain responsible for compatible hosting and timely core and extension updates.

Joomla pricing

Joomla does not publish a plan ladder we could verify. Free.

Prices read from the vendor's own pricing page on 2026-08-24. Vendors change plans without notice — check the source before you budget. Price verification log.

Key features

  • Content publishing

    Organizes articles, menus, users and site configuration through the administration interface.

  • Extension types

    Adds functions through components, modules, plugins, templates, packages and languages.

  • Multilingual content

    Supports translated interfaces and separately modeled content languages.

  • Extension updates

    Checks registered update servers and declared Joomla, PHP and database constraints.

Strengths and trade-offs

What works well

  • Core publishing system: Manages articles, navigation, users and administrative configuration.
  • Extension architecture: Components, modules, plugins, templates and language packages cover different customization roles.
  • Multilingual foundation: Distinguishes installed interface languages from content languages.
  • Update discovery: Administrator tools can query configured update servers for compatible extension releases.

Where it falls short

  • Hosting requirements: Supported PHP, database, web-server modules and memory must match the installed Joomla branch.
  • Extension trust: Third-party functionality has its own maintainer, compatibility, update and vulnerability lifecycle.
  • Maintenance ownership: A zero-cost core license does not include hosting, backups, upgrades or operational support.
  • Update-source dependency: Extension update availability and metadata depend on servers operated by extension developers.

Who it is for

Site owners and agencies wanting a self-hosted extensible CMS and prepared to govern PHP infrastructure and third-party extensions.

Pick it or skip it

Pick Joomla if

  • Content sites needing Joomla's built-in administration and multilingual model
  • Projects whose required extensions actively support a current Joomla branch
  • Teams able to stage and test core, template and extension upgrades

Skip it if

  • You require a vendor-managed service with hosting and maintenance included
  • A business-critical extension lacks a current update channel or supported release
  • No one owns backups, patch monitoring, compatibility testing and incident response

Our verdict

Choose Joomla after validating the complete extension and template stack against a supported environment; the core license is free, but safe operation is an ongoing maintenance commitment.

Frequently asked questions

How much does Joomla cost?
Joomla is free to use. We verified this against the vendor's own page; see "What we checked" below for the date.
Does Joomla have a free plan?
Yes. Joomla is free to use at its base level.
Who is Joomla best for?
Site owners and agencies wanting a self-hosted extensible CMS and prepared to govern PHP infrastructure and third-party extensions.
What are the main drawbacks of Joomla?
The trade-offs we noted: Hosting requirements: Supported PHP, database, web-server modules and memory must match the installed Joomla branch.; Extension trust: Third-party functionality has its own maintainer, compatibility, update and vulnerability lifecycle.; Maintenance ownership: A zero-cost core license does not include hosting, backups, upgrades or operational support..
When should you not use Joomla?
Skip Joomla if: You require a vendor-managed service with hosting and maintenance included; A business-critical extension lacks a current update channel or supported release; No one owns backups, patch monitoring, compatibility testing and incident response.

What we checked

  • Public APIOffers a documented API you can build against.No
  • Mobile appHas a native app for iOS or Android, not just a mobile website.No
  • Open source / self-hostableSource is open and the tool can be run on your own infrastructure.Yes
  • SSO (SAML)Supports SAML single sign-on on at least one plan.No

“Not checked” means exactly that — we have not verified it, and we do not guess.

Evidence and freshness

Status: Official sources reviewedReviewed: 2026-08-24

Limit: Official project documentation and repository metadata were reviewed; ToolCompare did not install Joomla, audit extensions or update servers, test upgrades, benchmark hosting, assess editor experience, validate security or calculate implementation cost.

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