Wagtail
Definition
Wagtail is a professional open source CMS built on the Django framework (Python). It powers demanding organisations like Google, NASA and the British NHS, and the French State, whose DINUM made it the base of its public websites (Sites Conformes).Wagtail is the CMS we have used at KernWeb since 2016. The project ships a release every three months and one long-term support (LTS) version a year: 7.4 LTS from May 2026 is maintained until November 2027, and 8.0 from August 2026 lets an AI agent manage the content of an existing site (create, edit, publish), the site itself remaining custom-built. Unlike plugin-based CMSs, everything is developed to measure: every page template, every content block is designed for your project, in a clean, maintainable architecture.
Its strengths for a professional website: solid security (Django architecture, no pile of third-party extensions), a clear editing interface that teams master quickly, native multilingual designed in from the start, and real durability: a well-built Wagtail site evolves for years without a full rebuild (regular LTS releases, documented upgrade path).
Another fundamental difference with proprietary platforms: with a custom-developed Wagtail site, you own the code. No captive subscription, no platform that shuts down, no theme shared with your competitors.
It is the technology behind our Business and Premium packages: see our offers or the Wagtail vs WordPress comparison.
Wagtail is open source and widely adopted: you are never a supplier's prisoner. Any serious Python team can take over a well-built Wagtail site.
Frequently asked questions
No. Wagtail powers sites for Google, NASA and the French state, but its editing interface remains remarkably simple. We have used it for Belgian SMEs since 2015: the size of the site changes nothing about the ease of editing.
Yes, it is common work: content is carried over, every old address gets a 301 redirect and visibility is preserved with method. Count the timeline of a classic redesign, about twelve weeks.