TYPO3
TYPO3 is an open-source enterprise content management system (CMS) that stands out for multilingual support, multi-site capability and high customizability for medium and large web projects.
For businesses, universities and public institutions with complex web presence and high requirements for multilingual content and permissions TYPO3 has been the first choice in the DACH region for years. The enterprise CMS provides a powerful backend where even large editorial teams can work efficiently. Thanks to its open architecture and active community TYPO3 can be adapted to almost any requirement. Over 500,000 websites worldwide rely on TYPO3 as the foundation of their digital presence.
What is TYPO3?
TYPO3 is an open-source content management system developed since 1998 and widely used in the DACH region and Europe. It is based on PHP and supports various databases (MySQL, PostgreSQL, MariaDB). TYPO3 is known for native multilingual support, allowing content to be managed in any number of languages in parallel. Multi-site capability allows running multiple websites in one TYPO3 installation with separate administration. The granular permission system lets you control edit rights for individual pages, content elements and functions. TYPO3 offers a large extension ecosystem with over 5,000 extensions in the TYPO3 Extension Repository (TER). The TypoScript configuration language and the Fluid template system provide maximum flexibility for output. TYPO3 is available in different editions from the free Community Edition to enterprise licences with extended features and support.
How does TYPO3 work?
TYPO3 strictly separates content creation in the backend from presentation in the frontend. Editors create and edit content in a structured backend with page tree, content elements and page module. Presentation is controlled by TypoScript configuration and Fluid templates that combine HTML, CSS and dynamic content. TYPO3 generates pages dynamically and uses a multi-layer caching system for performance. Extensions add functionality – from news systems and form builders to shop integrations. The Workspaces module supports editorial workflows with draft, preview and approval before content goes live.
Practical Examples
A university manages its multilingual website with over 10,000 pages in TYPO3, with decentralized faculty teams maintaining their own content.
An industrial company runs six country websites in one TYPO3 installation and uses multi-site with shared media management.
A city administration uses TYPO3 for an accessible citizen portal that meets WCAG 2.1 and accepts citizen requests via a structured form system.
A publisher uses TYPO3 with the News extension for an online magazine with categories, author profiles and automated social media distribution.
A corporation integrates TYPO3 with its PIM and DAM via REST so product and media data are managed centrally and published to the web automatically.
Typical Use Cases
Corporate websites with complex page structures, multilingual content and decentralized editorial teams
Public institutions and universities with high requirements for accessibility and permission management
Multi-site setups where multiple websites for different brands or countries are managed in one installation
Intranet and extranet solutions with protected areas, user registration and custom permissions
Content-heavy portals with editorial workflows, approval processes and structured content elements
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
- Enterprise features: Multilingual, multi-site and granular permissions are built in
- Flexible template system: Fluid templates and TypoScript allow maximum control over output
- Accessibility: TYPO3 offers strong support for accessible websites per WCAG
- Long-term stability: LTS versions with at least three years of support and clear upgrade paths
- Large ecosystem: Over 5,000 extensions and a strong community, especially in the DACH region
Disadvantages
- Complex onboarding: TypoScript and the extensive backend configuration require a longer learning phase
- Less international adoption: Outside DACH the community is smaller and fewer agencies specialize in TYPO3
- Hosting requirements: TYPO3 needs more capable servers than lighter CMS like WordPress
- Developer effort: Even simple customizations often require technical know-how and TypoScript experience
Frequently Asked Questions about TYPO3
What is the difference between TYPO3 and WordPress?
Is TYPO3 free?
How is TYPO3 hosted?
Related Terms
Want to use TYPO3 in your project?
We are happy to advise you on TYPO3 and find the optimal solution for your requirements. Benefit from our experience across over 200 projects.