Kirby CMS
File-based CMS without a database — a German alternative to WordPress.
Overview
Kirby CMS is a Cologne, Germany-based European company building cms and open source software since 2012. As an EU-headquartered provider, Kirby CMS operates under GDPR and is outside the reach of the US CLOUD Act, making it a privacy-friendly alternative to WordPress.com and WP Engine for European teams.
Why European teams pick Kirby CMS
Teams in Europe pick Kirby CMS when they want a cms provider that bills in EUR, supports their local data-protection officer requirements, and keeps customer data under Germany law, operating since 2012. Compared with WordPress.com and WP Engine, Kirby CMS avoids cross-border data transfers under Schrems II and the US CLOUD Act, which is often the deciding factor for European procurement and legal teams.
See more EU cms tools or browse other startups from Germany.
About
Kirby is a German file-based CMS built by Bastian Allgeier in Munich, using flat files (Markdown + YAML) instead of a database. Developed since 2012 and sold under a commercial licence, Kirby is widely respected in the European web development community for its developer flexibility and exceptional performance. Because there is no database, deployment is as simple as uploading files to any EU web server. Kirby has no external dependencies, no phoning home, and no telemetry — your content is entirely on your server. It is the CMS of choice for European web studios and agencies building websites for clients who require complete data sovereignty and minimal infrastructure complexity.
Details
- Founded
- 2012
- Headquarters
- Cologne, Germany
Categories
Other EU startups like Kirby CMS
- PocketbaseBulgaria — Open-source backend in a single file — a European alternative to Firebase.
- NocoDBGermany — Open-source Airtable alternative that turns databases into smart spreadsheets.
- BaserowNetherlands — Open-source no-code database and Airtable alternative — built in the Netherlands.
- PortainerNew Zealand — Container management UI for Docker and Kubernetes — a New Zealand/European alternative to Rancher.
- NetdataGreece — Open-source real-time infrastructure monitoring — an alternative to Datadog.
- NotesnookGermany — Zero-knowledge encrypted note-taking app — an alternative to Evernote.
Frequently asked questions
What is Kirby CMS?
Kirby is a German file-based CMS built by Bastian Allgeier in Munich, using flat files (Markdown + YAML) instead of a database. Developed since 2012 and sold under a commercial licence, Kirby is widely respected in the European web development community for its developer flexibility and exceptional performance. Because there is no database, deployment is as simple as uploading files to any EU web server. Kirby has no external dependencies, no phoning home, and no telemetry — your content is entirely on your server. It is the CMS of choice for European web studios and agencies building websites for clients who require complete data sovereignty and minimal infrastructure complexity.
What does Kirby CMS do?
Kirby CMS is file-based cms without a database — a german alternative to wordpress. It is listed under cms and open source on EU Alts because its core functionality serves teams looking for a European cms tool with EU data residency, typically as a switch away from WordPress.com and WP Engine.
Is Kirby CMS a good European cms alternative?
Kirby CMS is a fit for European businesses evaluating cms options where data residency and GDPR alignment matter — typical buyers include EU-based SaaS teams, public-sector projects, regulated industries (healthcare, finance, legal), and any organisation that needs to demonstrate that customer data does not leave the EU. It also overlaps with open source use cases.
Is Kirby CMS GDPR compliant?
Kirby CMS is headquartered in Cologne, Germany and falls under EU jurisdiction, so it processes user data under the GDPR by default. Customer data processing is supervised by Germany's data protection authority, the Bundesbeauftragte für den Datenschutz und die Informationsfreiheit (BfDI). Because the company is not US-incorporated, it is not subject to the US CLOUD Act — meaning US authorities cannot compel Kirby CMS to disclose customer data the way they can with WordPress.com and WP Engine. For European buyers, that often simplifies DPIA paperwork and standard contractual clauses.
How do teams switch from WordPress.com to Kirby CMS?
Most teams move to Kirby CMS from WordPress.com and WP Engine because they want EU data residency without giving up the core cms workflow. Kirby CMS's Germany base means a single jurisdiction for both the company and (typically) its hosting infrastructure, so you can drop Schrems II transfer impact assessments for this part of your stack. Plan the migration in stages: export your data from the US incumbent, pilot Kirby CMS with a small team, then move the rest once the integration coverage you need is confirmed.
Where is Kirby CMS based?
Kirby CMS is headquartered in Cologne, Germany. The company was founded in 2012. Its main website is https://getkirby.com.