Serendipity

Self-Hosted

Open-source PHP blogging platform with extensible customization

Overview

Serendipity is a flexible open-source blogging platform built with PHP and MySQL. It offers a rich ecosystem of plugins and themes to tailor your blog, supports markdown editing, RSS/Atom feeds, multi-user management, and scheduled posts. Deployable on any web server with PHP (7.4+) and MySQL/MariaDB, it also has Docker images for simplified setup. Ideal for personal blogs or small publications, it balances ease of use with advanced features like spam protection and media management.

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:
  serendipity:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: serendipity
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

Extensible via plugins & themes
Markdown editing support
Multi-user management & spam protection

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is Serendipity hard to install?

Serendipity is easy to install with basic web server skills. Upload files to a PHP/MySQL-compatible server, run the web installer, and follow prompts. Docker images are available for quick deployment without manual config.

? Is it a good alternative to WordPress.com?

Yes—Serendipity gives full data control (unlike WordPress.com’s hosted plans) and is open-source. It’s lighter than WordPress, focusing on core blogging features, making it great for users wanting a bloat-free, customizable blog.

? Is it completely free?

Serendipity is 100% free under the BSD license. All core features, plugins, and themes are free to use, modify, and distribute—no premium tiers or hidden costs.

Top Alternatives

Medium Search Google

Substack Search Google

WordPress.com Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Open Source

Category Blogging Platforms

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ 100% free & open-source
⊕ Lightweight and fast performance
⊕ Full control over your data

Cons

⊖ Requires basic PHP/MySQL server knowledge
⊖ Smaller community than WordPress
⊖ Fewer modern themes compared to newer platforms