Contao is a flexible and easily expandable open-source content management system (CMS) used to create accessible and responsive websites. It features an intuitive user interface that even non-experts can operate with ease. This CMS offers an alternative to larger and more complex systems like Joomla! or TYPO3.

Contao CMS offers powerful features for flexible and accessible websites

While the CMS Contao hasn’t stepped out from behind the shadow of big content management systems yet, it has been gaining a very active community. Currently, more than 175,000 websites have been created with the CMS solution. The open-source software first appeared in 2006 as TypoLight, and four years later, developers renamed it Contao. The change was made due to the name’s similarity to its competitor, TYPO3. Contao is a classic web content management system that is particularly well suited for creating accessible websites. Social publishing or blog publishing is not a primary focus, but blog extensions are available.

Technical facts about Contao:

  • Programming language: PHP
  • Database: MySQL/MariaDB
  • Readout in XHTML or HTML 5
  • Based on the Symfony web framework (current version based on Symfony 5)
  • License: GNU Lesser General Public License

Key features of Contao at a glance:

  • Advanced editing functionality
  • Full-text search engine
  • Integrated file manager
  • Form generator
  • Core modules for news and event management
  • Password-protected member area
  • Newsletter module
  • Multilingual and multisite support
  • Accessibility

You can find the download link to the latest version of Contao here.

Pros and cons of the Contao CMS

Comparing CMS platforms is never easy, as the best choice ultimately depends on your specific use case. Contao offers a range of advantages that make it especially appealing for accessible and professional websites. However, there are also aspects that can present challenges depending on the project’s scope and the user’s experience.

Advantages include:

  • A wide range of features in the core version
  • A large selection of extension modules, including the shop system Isotope eCommerce, layouts, and templates
  • An intuitive interface and strong accessibility features
  • Long-term support ensures the system remains up to date
  • Support from a strong community and extensive documentation
  • The hierarchical page structure allows easy management of multiple pages and efficient handling of meta tags, redirects, and visibility through the structure tree
  • Flexibility in designing responsive and multilingual websites
  • SEO tools such as search engine-friendly URLs and automated XML sitemap generation make website optimization easier

Disadvantages include:

  • Implementing templates is complex and requires experience
  • Larger projects can become difficult to manage clearly
  • Social publishing and blogging features are less integrated than in other CMS platforms
Tip

If you want to test whether Contao is the right CMS for you, the project’s website offers an online demo. There, you can access the backend of a Contao installation and get a hands-on feel for the content management system.

System requirements for Contao

There aren’t many requirements for installing Contao. A web server with PHP and MySQL support is sufficient. You should have at least PHP version 7.4+ and MySQL version 8.0+ or an equivalent version of MariaDB available.

The CMS also requires certain PHP extensions. These are usually enabled by default in a standard PHP installation but can theoretically be disabled by your hosting provider. However, Contao checks whether all required extensions are active. An up-to-date list of required PHP extensions can be found in the official Contao documentation.

Use cases for Contao

Contao is a versatile CMS that is particularly well suited for medium to large web projects. Companies like Siemens and Deutsche Telekom already use it successfully, thanks to its powerful and flexibly expandable architecture. Even less experienced users can quickly get started with Contao due to its user-friendly interface. Features such as accessibility, SEO tools, and an integrated newsletter module make it especially attractive for business websites.

For projects that require even more performance and security, the Jamstack approach is a great option. This setup combines static pages with dynamic content via APIs and JavaScript, resulting in outstanding performance. With Deploy Now from IONOS, developers can efficiently deploy Jamstack projects from a repository like GitHub — enabling fast deployment and high website performance, ideal for modern web applications.

Alternatives to Contao

Although Contao stands out with many advantages such as accessibility and flexible customization options, there are other content management systems that should be considered depending on your project requirements. Each CMS has its own strengths and offers specific features that may be particularly well suited for certain use cases.

WordPress – The most popular CMS for simple and scalable websites

WordPress is the world’s most widely used CMS and is ideal for blogs, small business websites, and basic online stores. Thanks to its easy installation and user-friendly interface, you can quickly create professional websites with WordPress — even without prior experience. With a wide variety of plugins and themes, WordPress is easy to extend and customize. While it is especially well suited for smaller projects, the right extensions can also make it a solid choice for larger websites. IONOS offers WordPress hosting plans for a fast start. With user-friendly, AI-powered tools, you can build your website efficiently and effortlessly.

Joomla – Flexible CMS for multilingual and complex websites

Joomla is a versatile open-source solution, especially well-suited for websites that require more complex structures, such as multilingual portals or community platforms. It offers more customization options than WordPress and is ideal for projects that need specific features and a high degree of flexibility. However, building a Joomla website requires more time to learn and greater technical expertise. IONOS offers various Joomla hosting plans that allow you to create, host, and manage up to 50 websites using Joomla.

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TYPO3 – Powerful CMS for large enterprise projects

TYPO3 is a robust and scalable CMS that is especially well suited for large enterprises and complex web projects. It offers a wide range of features and extensions that enable the creation of highly complex websites. However, TYPO3 requires significant technical expertise, and its learning curve is steeper compared to systems like WordPress or Joomla. TYPO3 hosting solutions help make these challenges more manageable. It’s an ideal choice for projects where flexibility and precise content management are essential.

Tip

To find out how Contao stacks up against other content management systems — and which one is best suited for your website — check out our CMS comparison.

Contao is a flexible CMS for projects of all sizes

  • Contao is especially attractive for beginners who don’t want to rely on WordPress.
  • With built-in accessibility and multilingual support, the CMS is also well suited for professional business websites.
  • Supported by an active community and regular updates
  • A solid alternative to WordPress, Joomla, and TYPO3, depending on the project’s requirements
  • Integrated features for optimization and communication
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