MODX

Self-Hosted

Open-source CMS for building custom conference websites & management tools

Overview

MODX is a flexible open-source content management system designed to create tailored conference solutions. It supports self-hosting on servers/cloud with Docker for easy deployment. Teams can build custom event schedules, speaker profiles, registration forms, and attendee portals. Its modular architecture extends functionality via plugins (like FormIt for registrations or Calendar for scheduling). Integrate payment gateways for ticketing, manage attendee data, and deliver personalized experiences—no vendor lock-in, scalable for small meetups to large conferences.

Self-Hosting Resources

Find Official Image on Docker Hub View Source & Docs

Below is a reference structure for docker-compose.yml. ⚠️ Do NOT run blindly. Replace placeholders with official values.

docker-compose.template.yml TEMPLATE


version: '3'
services:
  modx:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: modx
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

Customizable event scheduling & speaker profile management
Extensible registration forms with attendee data tracking
Self-hosted deployment with Docker compatibility

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is MODX hard to install?

MODX can be installed manually (LAMP stack) or via Docker for simplified deployment. Basic server knowledge is needed, but Docker images reduce setup time. Official docs and community tutorials help, though new users may need to learn its modular workflow.

? Is MODX a good alternative to Cvent for conferences?

MODX is a flexible CMS (not a dedicated tool like Cvent). It excels at custom conference websites and basic registration, but lacks Cvent’s built-in venue management or global analytics. Ideal if you want full design/data control without vendor lock-in.

? Is MODX completely free for conference use?

Yes—MODX Open Source core is free under GPLv2. You can use it for conferences without licensing fees. Premium plugins or managed hosting may cost, but basic conference features (forms, scheduling) are accessible via free plugins.

Top Alternatives

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Tool Info

Pricing Open Source

Category Conference Management

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ Privacy-focused self-hosting (full control over attendee data)
⊕ No recurring subscription fees (core platform is free)
⊕ Highly customizable for unique conference workflows
⊕ Modular plugins to add ticketing/payment integration

Cons

⊖ Requires technical expertise for setup & plugin configuration
⊖ Steeper learning curve than dedicated conference tools
⊖ Lacks out-of-the-box advanced features (needs plugins for ticketing analytics)
⊖ Limited pre-built conference templates compared to SaaS tools