Duda alternatives: 7 open-source picks
Duda costs $25/mo — $300 a year. These 7 alternatives replace it for $0, led by Webstudio, Plasmic and Silex. All 7 are open source. License, stars and last commit checked by hand on 2026-08-29. No trials, no crippled tiers.
Responsive visual sites with reusable components and CMS data; agency management becomes your own process.
licenseAGPL-3.0+
runsyour machine or their cloud
installHosted signup or desktop app; alternatively export the project or deploy the self-hosted builder/site
enginesWebstudio Inception AI and MCP integrations; the hosted model provider is not named in official documentation
dataProjects and assets live in Webstudio Cloud when hosted there; export/self-host routes produce source or static assets under the user's deployment
the catch vs DudaWebstudio has no built-in agency billing, white-label client portal or managed multi-client workflow.
setupThe free cloud plan publishes only to a Webstudio subdomain; a free custom domain requires export or self-hosting
facts verified 2026-08-10
Reusable components, collaboration and unlimited projects free; client handoff is less agency-tailored.
licenseMIT AND AGPL-3.0
runsyour machine or their cloud
installHosted signup; optional npm-installed Plasmic CLI for React code generation and deployment in your own repository
enginesPlasmic AI (beta); the official site does not name its underlying model provider
dataHosted projects and CMS records in Plasmic Cloud; codegen writes React components plus plasmic.json and plasmic.lock into the user's repository
the catch vs DudaPlasmic lacks Duda's agency-specific white-label dashboard, client billing and standardized multi-site handoff workflow.
setupFree hosted output keeps Plasmic branding; codegen/self-deployment requires a Node/React project and deployment workflow
facts verified 2026-08-10
A free visual publisher for client sites with export; reusable-section workflows are basic.
licenseAGPL-3.0+
runsyour machine or their cloud
installUse the hosted editor with a GitLab login, install the desktop alpha, or run the official Docker setup
enginesOptional desktop MCP workflow can connect to Ollama, OpenCode, Goose or Claude Code
dataProject JSON and assets in GitLab, FTP or local storage; publishing produces ordinary static HTML, CSS and JavaScript
the catch vs DudaSilex's reusable sections, permissions, collaboration and client handoff are basic beside Duda's agency workflow.
setupThe stable hosted route starts with a GitLab account; the desktop build is still labelled alpha
facts verified 2026-08-10
A visual CMS with multisite support, reusable themes and forms; the agency dashboard is less civilized.
licenseAGPL-3.0+
runsyour server
installDownload and upload the PHP release, open the site URL, and complete the browser installer
dataContent, products, orders and settings in MySQL/MariaDB, SQLite or PostgreSQL; media and downloadable files on the server filesystem
the catch vs DudaVvveb has no comparably polished agency dashboard, white-label client workflow or managed fleet of sites.
setupPHP hosting, a database, writable files, mail and payment configuration, plus ongoing server updates
facts verified 2026-08-10
In-page editing, reusable blocks, permissions and workflows; hosting and client support are no longer bundled.
licenseMIT
runsyour server
installRelease ZIP to PHP hosting, create a MySQL/MariaDB database, then finish the browser installer
dataPages, users, settings and block data in SQL; uploaded assets in the server file manager or a configured remote storage location
the catch vs DudaConcrete CMS lacks Duda's agency-first white-label dashboard, client billing/handoff workflow and managed hosting.
setupPHP hosting, a database, writable directories, and responsibility for updates, backups and outbound mail
facts verified 2026-08-10
Publishing platform with memberships and paid newsletters built in. The self-hosted answer to Substack taking 10% of your revenue.
licenseMIT
runsyour server
setupnot verified by us yet — check the repo README
facts verified 2026-08-29
Powers 40% of the web — themes, plugins, and full ownership of your site.
licenseGPL-2.0
runsyour server
setupnot verified by us yet — check the repo README
facts verified 2026-08-29
What each one is, in full: Ghost
last updated 2026-08-29 · no votes, no pay-to-list · just what's real
the usual suspects · recommended everywhere, rejected here
GrapesJSAn embeddable editor developers use to build Duda-like products, not Duda-like product itself.
how to choose a Duda alternative
Easiest to get running
WordPress — a one-click install, no server to maintain.
Most proven
Ghost, with 49,000 GitHub stars — the largest community of the 7, which usually means more answers when something breaks.
Needs real ops to self-host
Webstudio, Vvveb and Concrete CMS are capable but expect someone to run a server, updates and backups. Budget for that before choosing one.
what you give up by leaving Duda
- agency workflow, white-labeling, hosting, client permissions, and support
- large template marketplace
- managed hosting and CDN
- advanced CMS
- commerce and agency workflows
None of the picks above covers all of it. The full verdict says which gaps matter.
Duda alternatives at a glance
| tool | license | running it | platforms | stars | active |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Webstudio | AGPL-3.0+ | self-host, real ops | web, self-hosted | 8,800 | 2026-08 |
| Plasmic | MIT AND AGPL-3.0 | they host it | web, self-hosted | 6,900 | 2026-08 |
| Silex | AGPL-3.0+ | they host it | web, self-hosted | 2,919 | 2026-08 |
| Vvveb | AGPL-3.0+ | self-host, real ops | web, self-hosted | 1,200 | 2026-08 |
| Concrete CMS | MIT | self-host, real ops | web, self-hosted | 850 | 2026-08 |
| Ghost | MIT | docker to self-host | self-hosted, web | 49,000 | 2026-08 |
| WordPress | GPL-2.0 | one-click install | self-hosted, web | 20,000 | 2026-08 |
why people still pay for Duda
People still pay for Duda because the page renderer is reproducible, but customers pay to avoid becoming their own hosting and browser-compatibility team. The recurring cost buys responsive rendering, forms, domains, certificates, deploys, backups, template maintenance, and browser regressions, not just the visible interface. If none of that applies to you, any pick above saves $300 a year.
questions about switching from Duda
Is there an open-source alternative to Duda?
Yes: Webstudio, Plasmic, Silex and 4 more. Every tool on this page is open source: no trials, no crippled tiers.
Can open source really replace Duda?
Our verdict is YES. Ghost (49k stars), WordPress (20k stars), Webstudio (9k stars) are mature open-source replacements for Duda — self-host with docker and stop paying $25/mo. The full verdict, and what you give up by switching, is at caniopensourceit.online/duda.
What is the easiest open-source Duda alternative to set up?
WordPress — a one-click install, no server to maintain.
What is the most popular open-source Duda alternative?
By GitHub stars, Ghost (49,000). WordPress is next with 20,000.
