What is Silverstripe?

The Silverstripe CMS is a versatile, open-source Content Management System (a tool for editing websites) built on a robust PHP framework. It is developed by Silverstripe Ltd, a Wellington-based company founded in 2000 that recently won the 2025 Wellington Gold Award in the Technology category. 

Strengths

• Modern Performance: The 2025 release of Silverstripe 6.1 features database query caching, non-blocking session handlers, and optimized asset management for faster user experiences.

• Flexibility & MVC: Built on an MVC framework that allows for highly scalable and customizable web applications beyond standard page templates.

• User Experience: Offers a streamlined admin panel with features like "Duplicate Blocks" and "Last Saved" status flags to help content editors manage work efficiently.

• Secure & Supported: Backed by a dedicated security team and regular updates, with encryption-at-rest now the default for Silverstripe Cloud environments in 2025.

• Zero Licensing Fees: As open-source software, there are no ongoing costs for the software itself. 

Weaknesses

• Development Investment: Due to its flexibility, custom development and initial architecture can be more expensive than "out-of-the-box" builders.

• Upgrade Costs: Upgrading between major versions (e.g., from 5 to 6) involves breaking changes and dependency updates that require dedicated developer time.

• Specialized Community: While globally respected, its largest support bases are concentrated in New Zealand, Australia, and Northern Europe. 

Use cases

Silverstripe is ideal for medium-to-large organizations that require a bespoke digital experience rather than a generic template. It remains the preferred choice for New Zealand Government agencies and enterprise-level applications requiring high security and complex data structures.

Silverstripe website example

Below are some of the websites we have built using the Silverstripe framework.