The Top 5+ Open Source CMS Developed on ASP.NET Core in 2025

Discover the best open-source and free ASP.NET Content Management Systems for your next CMS project in 2025.

What is a content management system (CMS)?

No matter what kind of business you are running, you need a website that provides information about your business, captures the attention of potential clients looking for your services, and contacts you through your website. Business in so many industries not only needs a basic website but also want it to look modern, and keep the information up to date.

The Content management system (CMS) solves this problem for a business. A good CMS can help you keep your content up to date, make it searchable on search engines, and represent you in front of so many prospects who need your product or services without knowing much about technology or putting in lots of hours.

The Content management system (CMS) in ASP.NET

CMS in ASP.NET is considered complex and not as popular as PHP-based CMS, but time has changed drastically, and so has the CMS built upon ASP.NET CORE. Now the CMS is more reliable, fast, secure, user user-friendly than before. Because these CMS are now open source CMS and developers can bring major developments, and changes to make these CMS platforms more user-friendly with a lot of other essential features.

.NET CORE is one of the powerful and versatile frameworks that has the ability to run in Windows, MAC, and Linux. That is already widely used to develop in .net cms open source mvc applications. If you are looking to create an e-commerce website, business website, or personal website and do not wish to code much then you can consider these 5 open source content management systems.

The benefits of using CMS platform for your business

Here's how a CMS can transform your website from outdated to outstanding:

• Effortless Updates: Say goodbye to code and hello to a user-friendly interface. Update your website content whenever you need, without relying on a developer.
• Improved User Experience: Keep your visitors engaged with fresh content, new blog posts, and special offers. A dynamic website keeps them coming back for more.
• Boosted SEO: Search engines love fresh, relevant content. A CMS makes it easy to optimize your website for better search rankings, attracting more customers.
• Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: Multiple team members can collaborate on content creation and updates, ensuring everyone is on the same page (literally!).
• Cost-Effective: A CMS can save you money in the long run by eliminating the need for constant developer intervention for minor updates.

The Best 5+ Open Source CMS Developed on ASP.NET in 2025
Creating a website can be hectic but most importantly before that choosing, the right CMS for hosting your website is a very crucial aspect. You can select anyone from the list mentioned below for your website.

1. Umbraco:
When it comes to some of the best .net core cms, then the first name that comes to mind is Umbraco. It is a free CMS that also provides cross-platform integration that allows you to just download and enjoy the benefits. More than 200 thousand of developers, programmers, content editors & designers opt for Umbraco to create flawless websites.

This net core cms tool has consistently improved for more than 20 years and more than 200,000 plus developers backed different services and products of Umbraco

Key-Features:

• Ease of Use
• Cloud Facilities
• SEO Optimized
• Wide range of Plugins
• Multilingual Support
• Brilliant Performance

2. Orchard Core CMS:

Orchard Core CMS is another Open source, free content management system based upon the ASP.NET Core MVC platform. You can manage multiple websites with just a single click installation. And you do not require any training to set up your website.

Orchard core also allows you to write reusable templates for websites. You can also use those themes on multiple websites as well. You can use various widgets available already in the CMS platform. If you wish you can also build custom widgets too. Developers find very handy CMS platform built upon ASP Core.

Key Features:

• Faster Speed
• Security
• Multilingual Support
• Fully Supported Headless Decoupled CMS
• Multi-Tenant
• Media Management

3. Cofoundry:

Cofoundry is an open-source .NET application framework and content management platform. Whilst content management and website tools are a large part of Cofoundry, the functionality is entirely optional and our base framework is available to you to use in any application that references .NET 6.

We see the role of developing an application as very separate from managing content and so we don't squeeze everything into the same management GUI, instead, we focus on modular and extensible code-first tools for building sites and a simple, clean interface for managing them.

Key Features:

• Modularity and Extensibility
• .NET Core Framework
• Content Management
• Custom Entity System
• Versioning and Drafts
• Responsive Design
• REST API
• Media Management
• Localization

4. Kentico CMS
Kentico CMS is a robust and versatile content management system built on the .NET platform. Designed to simplify the process of creating and managing online content, Kentico CMS offers a user-friendly interface coupled with advanced features that cater to the needs of both developers and marketers.

Kentico CMS stands as a testament to the synergy between .NET and content management. Whether you're a developer seeking a flexible and extensible platform or a marketer aiming to deliver personalized digital experiences, Kentico CMS provides the tools and features needed to excel in today's competitive online landscape.

Key Features:

• Integrated Digital Marketing Tools
• E-commerce Capabilities
• Content Personalization
• Cloud-Ready and Scalable Architecture

5. Cloudscribe

Cloudscribe.SimpleContent is a C# library typically used in Web Site, Content Management System applications. cloudscribe.SimpleContent has no bugs, it has no vulnerabilities, it has a Permissive License and it has low support.

This project has borrowed significantly from Mads Kristensen's MiniBlog both for ideas and code but re-implemented and extended in the newer ASP.NET Core framework.

Note that cloudscribe SimpleContent is being used to make the documentation on cloudscribe.com.

Key Features:

• Modularity
• Multi-Tenancy Support
• Identity Management
• Content Management System (CMS)
• Localization and Internationalization
• Responsive Design
• Open Source

6. Piranha CMS

Piranha is designed for small to medium-sized applications with rare users in mind. With its decoupled architecture it can be used both as an integrated CMS or as a headless content store for your Apps.

Key Features:

• Modern content editing experience
• Open-source and free cross-platform
• Pluggable and Extensible
• Supported by .NET Foundation

7. Oqtane CMS

Oqtane is an open-source and cross-platform CMS and application framework for building modern digital experiences on .NET. Oqtane apps are composed of reusable web UI components implemented using C#, HTML, and CSS. Both the client and server code is written in C#, providing a consistent and efficient development experience.

Key Features:

• Multi-tenant - supports both shared and isolated tenants in a single installation.
• Cross-platform - runs on Windows, Linux, and Mac operating systems and includes support for SQL Server, MySQL, SQLite, and PostgreSQL databases
• Composable - provides the capability to dynamically construct a page from existing components without writing any code
• Web Standards - utilizes open web UI standards (ie. HTML and CSS3) as well as Bootstrap 5 as the default CSS framework for creating modern user experiences.

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Frequently Asked Questions:

What makes Orchard Core CMS stand out among ASP.NET Core Content Management Systems?

Orchard Core CMS stands out for its modular architecture, allowing developers to customize and extend features according to their project requirements.

Can you use any cms for .net core websites?

Yes, you can use various Content Management Systems (CMS) with .NET Core websites. Some popular CMS options that support .NET Core include: Umbraco, Orchard Core, Sitefinity, Kentico Xperience, DNN (DotNetNuke).

How does Kentico CMS leverage the power of .NET for content management?

Kentico CMS combines a robust .NET foundation with integrated marketing tools and e-commerce capabilities, providing a comprehensive solution for creating scalable and personalized web applications.

What role does extensibility play in the success of ASP.NET Core Content Management Systems?

Extensibility is crucial for developers to tailor CMS solutions to their specific needs, and platforms like Orchard Core CMS embrace modularity and extensibility for maximum flexibility.

How does Umbraco support developers in creating unique web experiences?

Umbraco's user-friendly interface and flexible customization options empower developers to craft unique web experiences, ensuring a seamless balance between functionality and creativity.

What features make Kentico CMS suitable for enterprise-level digital experiences?

Kentico CMS offers enterprise-grade features, including integrated digital marketing tools, e-commerce capabilities, and a cloud-ready, scalable architecture for managing complex digital experiences.

What is the primary advantage of using Cofoundry for web development?

Cofoundry stands out in web development due to its modular architecture and extensibility, allowing developers to tailor the CMS to specific project needs and leverage the latest .NET Core framework for robust and scalable applications.

In what ways does Orchard Core CMS support headless CMS capabilities?

Orchard Core CMS supports headless CMS through its modular architecture, enabling developers to decouple the frontend from the backend and deliver content to various channels and devices.

What advantages do developers gain from Umbraco's active community support?

Umbraco's active community ensures developers have access to a wealth of knowledge, resources, and support, fostering collaboration and problem-solving within the Umbraco ecosystem.

How does Kentico CMS contribute to personalized content delivery on websites?

Kentico CMS enables personalized content delivery by leveraging user behavior and demographics, allowing marketers to create targeted and relevant content for a more engaging user experience.