MODX

MODX is an open source content management system and application framework that gives you total control over your site markup. Unlike template-heavy CMS platforms, MODX separates content from presentation at the code level, letting you build customized websites without fighting a rigid system. It runs on PHP and MySQL or MariaDB, and its core architecture uses a tag-based templating engine called MODX Tags.

The system includes a manager interface for editing content, managing users, and controlling access permissions. It supports custom resource types, context-based site segmentation, and a built-in snippet system for dynamic functionality. MODX Revolution, the current major version, includes a REST API, a package manager for installing extras and plugins, and full support for versioned content. The platform integrates with common JavaScript libraries and plays well with both traditional server-side workflows and headless setups.

MODX has a loyal community of developers who appreciate its clean separation of logic and markup. The software is released under the GPLv2 license, making it free to use, modify, and distribute. It is especially well suited for custom websites, intranets, and web applications where standard CMS patterns are too restrictive. MODX was originally created by Ryan Thrash and is now maintained by the MODX community and modmore.