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LocalGov Drupal

localgovdrupal.org

Free plan Open source WebLinuxAPISelf-hosted
Visit localgovdrupal.org
Spec score 8.9 #1 of 33 in Government Website Builders

What it is

LocalGov Drupal is an open-source publishing platform built and maintained by councils and suppliers for local government. It is designed for local councils in the UK and Ireland, with tools for subsites, news, events, alerts, directories, service pages, guides, step-by-step pages, HTML publications and elections. Publishing features include flexible page components, patterns, styles, callouts, workflows, revisions, service contacts and shareable preview links. Optional workflow tools add roles, permissions, moderation, approval dashboards, scheduled publishing, review dates and revision records. Councils can use LocalGov Drupal Microsites to operate distinct websites from one platform; more than 50 microsites are live. The project supplies a scalable base theme and sample Scarfolk subtheme, along with quick-start installation, modular architecture, automated testing and coding-standards checks. Drupal REST and JSON:API tools and its module ecosystem can connect it with forms, payments, CRM, case management, identity providers, mapping and directories. Content and functionality are designed to meet or exceed WCAG 2.1 AA. The software is free, but installation and preparation require development resources, appropriate hosting and ongoing security updates.

Spec sheet

What it does
LocalGov Drupal is a Drupal distribution and installation profile for UK councils publishing public-facing websites.Read 21 Oct 2026 · drupal.org
Purpose
LocalGov Drupal is an open source publishing platform built and maintained by councils and suppliers for local government.Read 30 Sep 2026 · localgovdrupal.org
Audience
The platform is designed for local councils across the UK and Ireland.Read 30 Sep 2026 · localgovdrupal.org
Integrations
Drupal REST and JSON:API plus its module ecosystem can connect forms, payments, CRM, case-management, identity, mapping and directory systems.Read 21 Oct 2026 · localgovdrupal.org
Accessibility
The CMS content and functionality are designed to meet or exceed WCAG 2.1 AA, with the administration interface also targeted at that level.Read 21 Oct 2026 · localgovdrupal.org
CMS feature: alerts
Alert banners can be displayed across an entire site or selected pages.Read 21 Oct 2026 · docs.localgovdrupal.org
CMS feature: directories
Directories present searchable and filterable lists of similar content.Read 21 Oct 2026 · docs.localgovdrupal.org
CMS feature: microsites
The Microsites product runs multiple sites from one Drupal installation, each with its own domain, users, content and files.Read 21 Oct 2026 · localgovdrupal.org
CMS feature: news
The News functionality provides news article and newsroom content types with search and filtering.Read 21 Oct 2026 · docs.localgovdrupal.org
CMS feature: services
The Services module supplies structured service landing, sub-landing and service pages for council information.Read 21 Oct 2026 · docs.localgovdrupal.org
CMS feature: step-by-step
Step-by-step pages provide guided instructions for completing a process.Read 21 Oct 2026 · docs.localgovdrupal.org
CMS feature: themes
A scalable LocalGov Base theme and example Scarfolk subtheme are supplied for branded customization.Read 21 Oct 2026 · localgovdrupal.org
CMS feature: workflows
Publishing workflows support draft, review and approval processes, with revisions and scheduled publishing available through workflow tools.Read 21 Oct 2026 · localgovdrupal.org
Community support
The project offers technical Slack channels, a weekly Thursday technical drop-in and weekly Merge Tuesdays.Read 30 Sep 2026 · docs.localgovdrupal.org
Company legal name
Open Digital Cooperative Ltd manages and governs LocalGov Drupal as a company limited by guarantee, company number 14532300.Read 21 Oct 2026 · localgovdrupal.org
Content features
The CMS includes subsites, news, events, alert banners, directories, service pages, guides, step-by-step pages, HTML publications and elections.Read 30 Sep 2026 · localgovdrupal.org
Cost claim
The project estimates rebuild costs 30%–50% lower than proprietary CMS alternatives, typically saving £30,000–£90,000.Read 21 Oct 2026 · localgovdrupal.org
Council adoption
The project website says more than 75 councils across the UK and Ireland participate in its community.Read 21 Oct 2026 · localgovdrupal.org
Developer support
The project offers technical Slack channels, weekly technical drop-ins, weekly Merge Tuesdays and fortnightly technical governance meetings.Read 21 Oct 2026 · docs.localgovdrupal.org
Development
The distribution provides a quick-start install, modular architecture, automated testing and automated coding-standards checks.Read 30 Sep 2026 · localgovdrupal.org
Documentation
Documentation covers installation, configuration, theming, content types, developer workflows, hosting, security, testing and contribution.Read 21 Oct 2026 · docs.localgovdrupal.org
Extensibility
Developers can enable additional project or Drupal modules, create custom modules, build custom themes and use the system headlessly.Read 21 Oct 2026 · applytosupply.digitalmarketplace.service.gov.uk
Government evaluation
A 2026 GOV.UK evaluation says LocalGov Drupal achieved notable market impact, reaching a reported 14% share of the content-management-system market.Read 21 Oct 2026 · gov.uk
Hosting dependency
Availability and resilience depend on the council's hosting provider, and the platform itself has no guaranteed availability in the listed service.Read 21 Oct 2026 · applytosupply.digitalmarketplace.service.gov.uk
Implementation cost
The project says typical implementations cost £70,000–£150,000, excluding optional additions and supplier-specific work.Read 21 Oct 2026 · localgovdrupal.org
Implementation requirement
Installing and preparing a site requires development resources, appropriate hosting and ongoing security updates.Read 30 Sep 2026 · docs.localgovdrupal.org
Installation
Local installation uses Composer, with DDEV or Lando recommended, and Drupal 11 is supported on the 4.x branch.Read 30 Sep 2026 · drupal.org
Integration example
Croydon connected LocalGov Drupal forms to Netcall Liberty Create case-management software.Read 21 Oct 2026 · localgovdrupal.org
Licence
The distribution is released under the GNU General Public License version 2.0.Read 21 Oct 2026 · github.com
Limit: implementation responsibility
The project documentation says councils still need development resources for installation, configuration, launch preparation, hosting and ongoing security updates.Read 21 Oct 2026 · docs.localgovdrupal.org
Limit: local testing
Each council remains responsible for testing updates against its own content, integrations, hosting and configuration.Read 21 Oct 2026 · localgovdrupal.org
Limit: review coverage
The GetApp page found in search describes a different cloud tax-filing product called Localgov, so it is not evidence about LocalGov Drupal.Read 21 Oct 2026 · getapp.com
Maker founded
Open Digital Cooperative was founded in January 2023 to operate, develop and financially sustain LocalGov Drupal.Read 21 Oct 2026 · opendigital.coop
Maker ownership
Open Digital Cooperative is a UK-based not-for-profit multi-stakeholder cooperative owned through its council and supplier members.Read 21 Oct 2026 · opendigital.coop
Maker size
LinkedIn lists LocalGov Drupal as a nonprofit with 2–10 employees and headquarters all around the UK.Read 21 Oct 2026 · uk.linkedin.com
Microsites
LocalGov Drupal Microsites lets councils run many distinct websites from one platform, and more than 50 microsites are live.Read 30 Sep 2026 · localgovdrupal.org
Notable news
The Local Government Association published a Northumberland LocalGov Drupal case study on 24 August 2026.Read 21 Oct 2026 · www2.local.gov.uk
Notable release
LocalGov Drupal 4.0.0 added Drupal 11 support, and version 4.0.5 was released on 14 September 2026.Read 21 Oct 2026 · drupal.org
Praise: Northumberland
The Local Government Association reports that Northumberland valued improved accessibility, greater control, lower supplier reliance and open-source flexibility after adopting LocalGov Drupal.Read 21 Oct 2026 · www2.local.gov.uk
Publishing
Publishing features include flexible page components, patterns, styles, callouts, workflows, revisions, service contacts and shareable preview links.Read 30 Sep 2026 · localgovdrupal.org
Search integration
The optional localgov_search module uses Drupal Search API with database search by default and can be switched to Apache Solr.Read 21 Oct 2026 · docs.localgovdrupal.org
Security limitation
A listed LocalGov Drupal supplier states that penetration testing is never performed for its service offering.Read 21 Oct 2026 · applytosupply.digitalmarketplace.service.gov.uk
Security policy
Stable releases are covered by the Drupal Security Team advisory policy and the project says it regularly applies security updates.Read 21 Oct 2026 · drupal.org
Security testing
An Invuse penetration test was commissioned in early 2023 and its recommendations are documented by the project.Read 30 Sep 2026 · docs.localgovdrupal.org
Self-hosting
Local installation uses Composer with DDEV or Lando, and the project supplies step-by-step installation commands.Read 21 Oct 2026 · drupal.org
System support
The 4.x branch supports Drupal 11, while the 3.x branch supports Drupal 10; older 1.x and 2.x branches are unsupported.Read 21 Oct 2026 · drupal.org
Target community
The project is built and maintained collaboratively by councils, suppliers, developers, content designers and digital leaders.Read 21 Oct 2026 · docs.localgovdrupal.org
Theme
The project provides a scalable base theme and a sample Scarfolk subtheme for customization.Read 30 Sep 2026 · localgovdrupal.org
Workflow governance
Optional workflow tools support roles, permissions, moderation, approval dashboards, preview links, scheduled publishing, review dates and revision records.Read 30 Sep 2026 · localgovdrupal.org

Plans and prices

LocalGov Drupal CMS Free Open source GPL2 · freely available to all UK and Irish councils Read 30 Sep 2026 · localgovdrupal.org
LocalGov Drupal CMS Free Free open-source CMS · council websites · self-hosted Read 21 Oct 2026 · localgovdrupal.org
LocalGov Drupal flying solo £9,999, paid once £9,999 a unit Supplier-installed instance · 10-day setup · training · documentation Read 21 Oct 2026 · applytosupply.digitalmarketplace.service.gov.uk
Council subscription Price not published Voluntary subscription based on council size, capped at £10,000 per year Funds roadmap and BAU · optional community participation Read 21 Oct 2026 · localgovdrupal.org

Every LocalGov Drupal plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free and open source for UK and Irish councils
  • Supports multilingual publishing and document management
  • More than 50 microsites are live
  • Designed to meet or exceed WCAG 2.1 AA

Limits

  • Requires development resources to install and prepare
  • Needs appropriate hosting and ongoing security updates

Who it suits

It suits UK and Irish councils looking for a publishing platform with municipal content tools and optional workflow governance. Councils should have development resources, suitable hosting and capacity for ongoing security updates.

LocalGov Drupal in depth

Read the full write-up

LocalGov Drupal is an open-source publishing platform made for councils in the UK and Ireland. It best suits authorities with development capacity that want structured public-service content and control over multiple sites. Its council-focused toolkit is substantial, but implementation and continuing security work sit with the council.

Overview

Rather than a ready-hosted website, LocalGov Drupal is a Drupal distribution built and maintained by councils and suppliers. Its CMS covers the familiar work of public-sector publishing alongside less generic needs: service pages, directories, alerts, elections, HTML publications and step-by-step guides. That breadth gives councils a useful starting point for resident-facing content, while the need to install, prepare and maintain the site makes it a poor fit for teams seeking a turnkey service.

The project provides a quick-start installation and a modular architecture, with Drupal 11 supported on the 4.x branch. Local installation uses Composer, with DDEV or Lando recommended. Councils still need appropriate hosting, development resources and a process for ongoing security updates.

Key features

Structured publishing and governance

Flexible page components, patterns, styles and callouts let teams assemble content within a shared system instead of treating every page as a one-off. Revisions, service contacts and shareable preview links help coordinate editorial work. Optional workflow tools extend this with roles and permissions, moderation, approval dashboards, scheduled publishing, review dates and revision records. These controls are useful where several teams contribute and content needs oversight; they require governance and configuration, so are less compelling for a small organisation with a simple publishing operation.

Multiple sites and integration

LocalGov Drupal Microsites allows councils to run distinct websites from one platform; more than 50 microsites are live. That makes it a strong option for councils consolidating related sites, although each council must still bring the implementation and hosting capacity. The scalable base theme and sample Scarfolk subtheme provide a foundation for customization rather than a finished visual identity.

Drupal’s REST and JSON:API tools and module ecosystem can connect the platform with forms, payments, CRM, case management, identity providers, mapping and directories. This flexibility can support a council’s wider digital services, but it also means integrations are part of a development-led implementation rather than an included turnkey package.

Accessibility and development

Content and functionality are designed to meet or exceed WCAG 2.1 level AA, an important fit for public-service publishing. Multilingual publishing and document management are supported. Automated testing and coding-standards checks strengthen the development approach; an Invuse penetration test was commissioned in early 2023, and the project documents its recommendations. Technical Slack channels, a weekly Thursday drop-in and weekly Merge Tuesdays offer community support, but do not replace a council’s own operational responsibility.

Pricing

LocalGov Drupal CMS costs nothing. The open-source GPL2 software is freely available to all UK and Irish councils, with no paid tier described. That removes a software licence charge, but not the costs of development, hosting and ongoing security updates. Councils without those resources should compare the free software cost with the work required to operate it, rather than treating it as a cost-free website.

Platforms

LocalGov Drupal supports API, self-hosted and web deployments. Its self-hosted model gives councils control over implementation, but requires them to arrange suitable hosting and maintain the installation.

Who it's for

This is best suited to UK and Irish councils that need a broad set of local-government content types, accessible and multilingual publishing, or a shared platform for multiple sites—and have development capacity to implement and sustain it. Councils wanting to avoid technical operations should look for a hosted alternative instead.

Pros and cons

Pros: The CMS covers council-specific content such as service guidance, alerts and elections, not just general pages and news.

Pros: Optional approval controls and microsite support can serve complex publishing teams and multi-site estates.

Pros: The software is free for UK and Irish councils, and its content and functionality are designed for WCAG 2.1 level AA.

Cons: Councils need development resources, hosting and continuing security updates; the free licence does not remove those obligations.

Cons: Customization and integrations depend on Drupal development, making it less suitable for councils seeking a ready-made hosted site.

Alternatives

Government Website Builders is a useful place to compare the category. Consider Jadu Central if a paid option with API, Linux, self-hosted, web and Windows platforms better fits your procurement; its pricing is available by request. Town Web is a paid web, Android and iOS alternative, starting at $99 a month, with the exact price quoted and a nominal one-time build fee that may be spread across the contract.

Council Platform may suit councils looking for a paid web service priced by monthly page views: its plans are £200 a month for up to 5000 monthly page views and £400 a month for 5001 to 15000 monthly page views. Contensis for Councils is another paid API and web option; its Starter plan is $920 a month, from £920 per month, for 200GB bandwidth, 50GB storage, 5 concurrent users and 1 project, while Plus costs $1,640 a month.

Digital Place is a paid API and web alternative with feature-pack subscriptions and all-inclusive SaaS pricing. OpenCities is a paid web option with a population-based subscription. WPPersona Government Website CMS is a paid web alternative with monthly plans from $83 a month for up to 5,000 to $499 a month for up to 100,000. Municipal Impact offers paid web plans, including a $73.25 a month Tier 1 Monthly plan for populations of 1–1,500, with a one-time setup fee; its Tier 1 Annual plan is $812 a year.

Verdict

Choose LocalGov Drupal if your council wants a council-shaped publishing system, needs room for multiple sites and has the people to build and maintain it. Its free, open-source software and structured workflows are strong reasons to adopt it. Look elsewhere if you need a hosted, low-maintenance website: hosting, implementation and security remain your responsibility.

Verdict

LocalGov Drupal combines council-focused publishing tools with optional governance workflows and multi-site support. Its free software still requires development, hosting and continuing security work.

Where Specifiction places it

Alternatives to LocalGov DrupalAll alternatives →