FlatPress vs PluXml
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted blogging platforms options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | FlatPress | PluXml |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 73 · Good | 76 · Good |
| Category | Blogging Platforms | Blogging Platforms |
| License | GPL-2.0 | GPL-2.0 |
| Language | PHP | PHP |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 128 MB |
| Deployment | bare-metal, source | bare-metal, docker, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 215 | ★ 235 |
| First released | 2005 | 2007 |
| Replaces | WordPress, Blogger | WordPress, Blogger |
What are FlatPress and PluXml?
FlatPress
FlatPress is an open-source blogging engine that requires no database, storing all content in flat files. It is designed to be simple, fast, and easy to deploy on minimal hosting.
- No database required
- Flat-file storage
- Plugin and theme support
- Lightweight
PluXml
PluXml is an open-source blog and content management system that stores all content in XML files, requiring no database. It is lightweight and aimed at simple personal sites and blogs.
- XML flat-file storage
- No database required
- Theme and plugin support
- Lightweight
FlatPress vs PluXml: key differences
Both projects are written in PHP. FlatPress is the more established project (first released 2005), while PluXml arrived in 2007. PluXml lists first-class Docker deployment; FlatPress does not.
Why pick each one
Choose FlatPress if…
- Trivial to install and back up
- Runs on minimal hosting
Watch out for
- Small community
- Basic feature set
Choose PluXml if…
- No database needed
- Easy to back up
Watch out for
- Smaller community
- Limited modern themes
Frequently asked questions
Is FlatPress or PluXml better?
Neither is universally better. PluXml has the larger community; both share a easy setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are FlatPress and PluXml free and open-source?
Yes. FlatPress is licensed under GPL-2.0 and PluXml under GPL-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run FlatPress and PluXml with Docker?
FlatPress: check the project docs for container support. PluXml: yes.