Quick answer
CiviCRM is a free, open source project in the “Nonprofit, Church & Community” group, built with PHP, MySQL/MariaDB (runs with Drupal, WordPress or Joomla). It is released under AGPL-3.0, has 786 GitHub stars, and its repository was last updated in Oct 2026. You can self-host it on your own server. Verified 14 October 2026.
Nonprofit, Church & Community
CiviCRM
The leading open source CRM for nonprofits, NGOs and membership organisations.
GitHub stars
786
Last repo update
Oct 2026
License
AGPL-3.0
Technology
PHP, MySQL/MariaDB (runs with Drupal, WordPress or Joomla)
What is CiviCRM?
CiviCRM manages contacts, donations, memberships, events and mailings. It runs inside Drupal, WordPress or Joomla, and has a mature community of consultants.
Highlights
- Donations and memberships
- Event management and mailings
- Works with WordPress, Drupal and Joomla
- Mature ecosystem
Best for
Nonprofits, charities and membership groups.
Self-Hosted (Open Source Edition)
Install on your own server • No per-user software fee • Full control & privacy
Self-Host on My Server →Official Website & Docs
We did not find an official hosted plan in the project documentation. Read the docs before deciding.
Open the docs →🏠 Self-Hosted Version
You download the source code and run it on your own server or VPS (for example Hostinger, AWS or DigitalOcean).
Installation
CiviCRM runs inside a CMS (Drupal, WordPress or Joomla). Download links and step-by-step instructions are in the official sysadmin guide. Paid support is available from certified providers listed at civicrm.org/providers.
Open the official install guide →
Requirements: A supported CMS, PHP and MySQL/MariaDB. See the sysadmin guide for exact versions.
Commands above come from the project's own documentation (checked 14 October 2026). Versions change, so confirm against the official guide before running anything on a production server.
Need a server to host it?
Most PHP and MySQL apps can run on ordinary web hosting, as long as the plan offers the PHP version and extensions the project requires. Check the requirements first. If you need more control, a VPS is the safer choice. Hostinger offers both shared web hosting and VPS plans.
Affiliate disclosure: this is an affiliate link. If you buy through it we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. CRMs are listed independently of any hosting partner. Learn more.
Before real customers go in: read the security and backup checklist →
🌐 Official Website & Documentation
We could not confirm an official hosted plan for CiviCRM in its documentation. Self-hosting is the main route.
Third-party providers may offer managed hosting. Always check their terms and that you can export your data.
Self-Hosted vs Hosted by Someone Else
| Factor | Self-Hosted | Managed / third-party |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | No software fee for the open edition. You pay for hosting. | Depends on the provider you choose. |
| Data privacy & control | Data stays on your server. | Data lives on the provider's servers. |
| Maintenance | You install updates and run backups. | The provider handles it. |
| Best for | Teams with a developer or sysadmin, and data-sensitive companies. | Teams who want a fast start and no server work. |
No technical person on the team
→ Ask a developer or managed host to set it up
Avoid running a server you cannot maintain.
Team with a developer or sysadmin
→ Self-Hosted
Lower running cost and full customization.
Data-sensitive or regulated work
→ Self-Hosted on your own server
You decide where data lives and who can access it.
Alternatives to CiviCRM
ChurchCRM
Free church management software for people, families, groups and donations.
968 • MIT
OpenPetra
Open source administration software for charities and non-profits.
116 • GPL-3.0
Twenty
A modern, community-driven open source alternative to Salesforce.
58.3k • AGPL-3.0
Odoo Community
All-in-one business suite with a capable CRM app.
55k • LGPL-3.0
ERPNext
Full open source ERP with a strong CRM module.
40.1k • GPL-3.0
Chatwoot
Open source customer engagement platform with a shared inbox.
37.8k • MIT
Frequently asked questions about CiviCRM
Is CiviCRM free and open source?
CiviCRM is released under AGPL-3.0. Always read the LICENSE file in the official repository before you use, modify or redistribute it. License details were verified on 14 October 2026.
What technology does CiviCRM use?
CiviCRM is built with PHP, MySQL/MariaDB (runs with Drupal, WordPress or Joomla).
Can I self-host CiviCRM?
Yes. You can download the source from the official GitHub repository and run it on your own server or VPS. Requirements: A supported CMS, PHP and MySQL/MariaDB. See the sysadmin guide for exact versions.
Does CiviCRM have a hosted or cloud version?
We could not confirm an official hosted plan in the project documentation. Check the official website for the latest options.
Who is CiviCRM best for?
Nonprofits, charities and membership groups.
What are good alternatives to CiviCRM?
Similar open source projects in this directory include ChurchCRM, OpenPetra, Twenty. Compare them in the Nonprofit, Church & Community group.
Data verified 14 October 2026 from the project's public repository and documentation. Details change, so check the official sources. See our disclaimer. Found a mistake? Tell us.