Microweber vs SPIP
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted content management systems options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | Microweber | SPIP |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Read-the-docs project |
| Category | Content Management Systems | Content Management Systems |
| License | MIT | GPL-3.0-or-later |
| Language | HTML | |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 512 MB | 50 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal, source | bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 3,439 | — |
| First released | 2013 | 2023 |
| Replaces | WordPress, Wix | Blogger, Coldfusion, Wix |
What are Microweber and SPIP?
Microweber
Microweber is an open-source drag-and-drop website builder and content management system that includes blogging and e-commerce features. It uses a live editing interface so content can be arranged visually on the page.
- Live drag-and-drop editing
- Built-in online store
- Blogging module
- Template marketplace
SPIP
CMS with a focus on collaborative edition and multilingualism.
Microweber vs SPIP: key differences
Licensing differs — MIT for Microweber versus GPL-3.0-or-later for SPIP. SPIP is the lighter option, starting around 50 MB of RAM against 512 MB for Microweber. Microweber is the more established project (first released 2013), while SPIP arrived in 2023. Microweber lists first-class Docker deployment; SPIP does not.
Why pick each one
Choose Microweber if…
- Released under the MIT license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Active community (3.4k GitHub stars)
- Written in HTML
Choose SPIP if…
- Released under the GPL-3.0-or-later license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- Tiny footprint — runs in 50 MB RAM
Frequently asked questions
Is Microweber or SPIP better?
Neither is universally better. Microweber has the larger community, while SPIP is simpler to set up (easy difficulty). Choose based on the comparison table above and your own setup.
Are Microweber and SPIP free and open-source?
Yes. Microweber is licensed under MIT and SPIP under GPL-3.0-or-later. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Microweber and SPIP with Docker?
Microweber: yes. SPIP: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, Microweber or SPIP?
SPIP has the smaller minimum footprint at 50 MB of RAM, compared to about 512 MB for Microweber. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.