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Ratals CMS
Ratals CMS · Salt Lake City, Utah, United States · founded 2005
What it is
Ratals CMS is a free, open-source content management system for building and managing websites through web use or self-hosting. Its core is licensed under Apache 2.0, allowing modification and commercial deployment without licensing fees. The Sub-Item builder lets teams assemble customizable page sections from the administration area without developer work, while Forms Builder supports unlimited forms, reusable fields, product requests, quote requests, and shortcode embedding. One installation can run multiple websites with separate domains, caching, HTTPS preferences, hreflang, and SMTP settings. URL controls cover meta titles, descriptions, canonical URLs, robots directives, H1 content, breadcrumbs, sitemaps, visibility, authorship, and dates. Built-in protections address restricted file access, SQL injection, XSS, CSRF, content security policy, session validation, and traffic monitoring. The admin area offers one-click updates. Requirements list PHP 8.1+, MySQL 8.0+, and Nginx, Apache, or LiteSpeed.
For and against
For
- Apache 2.0 core license
- Self-hosting on your infrastructure
- Built-in forms and reusable fields
- Multi-site management from one installation
- One-click administrator updates
Against
- CMS plan has no listed price
- Listed site limit is one site
- Requires PHP 8.1+ and MySQL 8.0+
- Commerce starts at $79 a month
The verdict
Ratals CMS combines open-source licensing with built-in content, forms, SEO, security, and multi-site controls. Check the listed system requirements, site limit, and plan pricing before deployment.
Who it suits
Ratals CMS suits teams that want an open-source website system with self-hosting, reusable page sections, forms, SEO controls, and multi-site management. It also fits organizations needing Apache 2.0 commercial deployment.
Plans and prices
Ratals Commerce
1 domain connection · additional domains $10/month · includes CMS
Read 1 Oct 2026 · ratals.com
Ratals ERP
1 domain connection · additional domains $10/month · includes Commerce
Read 1 Oct 2026 · ratals.com
Ratals AI
1 domain connection · additional domains $10/month · includes ERP
Read 1 Oct 2026 · ratals.com
Ratals CMS
unlimited domain connections · Apache 2.0 license · full source code access
Read 1 Oct 2026 · ratals.com
On the record
- Content building
- The Sub-Item builder lets teams assemble customizable page sections from the admin without developer work.ratals.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- Forms
- The built-in Forms Builder supports unlimited forms, reusable fields, product and quote requests, and embedding through short codes.ratals.com · read 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.ratals.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- License
- The CMS core is licensed under Apache 2.0 and can be modified and deployed commercially without licensing fees.ratals.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- Maker
- Rob Cuppett is identified as Ratals' founder and lead engineer, and the Ratals idea is described as beginning in 2005.ratals.com · read 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.ratals.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Ratals CMS is a free, open-source website content management system for building and managing websites.ratals.com · read 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.ratals.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- Self-hosting
- Users can customize and self-host Ratals CMS on their own infrastructure.ratals.com · read 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.ratals.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- Paid from
- 79ratals.com · read 20 Sep 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.ratals.com · read 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.ratals.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- Updates
- Ratals provides one-click software updates from the admin area, with update permissions assignable to individual admin users.ratals.com · read 1 Oct 2026
