Elgg
Elgg is an open source PHP-based social networking engine, governed by the Elgg Foundation, that enables educational institutions, organizations, and developers to build customizable internal social platforms via a free, plugin-extensible framework distributed through elgg.org and GitHub.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersPortland, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Elgg does
Elgg is an open source social networking engine distributed under the GPL license and governed by the Elgg Foundation, a non-profit established in 2014. The project provides a PHP-based framework for building socially aware web applications, with the current release being version 7.0.0. Core components include user profiles, activity streams, groups, messaging, file sharing, and access control, all extensible through a plugin architecture supported by community-contributed themes and modules. The framework is built on PHP with JavaScript/jQuery front-end components, integrates with CKEditor for content creation, supports Laminas for email handling, and connects to Amazon SES for transactional delivery. Multi-language support includes RTL capabilities for Arabic, Hebrew, and Urdu.
Elgg serves four primary segments: educational institutions building campus social networks; organizations and enterprises deploying internal collaboration platforms; community builders constructing niche or membership sites; and developers/agencies using Elgg as a foundation for client projects. Distribution is fully self-serve — users download from elgg.org or clone the GitHub repository — with no licensing fees and no formal sales motion. The trademark is held by Thematic Networks and licensed to the Elgg Foundation.
The business model is community-led rather than commercial. The core software is free; the only direct revenue channel is a voluntary Supporters Scheme that accepts donations in exchange for website recognition. A curated professional services marketplace connects users with third-party developers for customization, hosting, and migration work, but the Foundation does not take a commission. There are no disclosed funding rounds, no venture backing, no enterprise contracts, and no paying customer logos in the source data. With 1-10 listed employees and over 11,000 community group members distributed globally, Elgg operates as a foundation-stewarded open source project rather than a growth-stage commercial entity.
Elgg firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Elgg
- Legal name
- Thematic Networks
- Website
- https://elgg.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Elgg is an open source PHP-based social networking engine, governed by the Elgg Foundation, that enables educational institutions, organizations, and developers to build customizable internal social platforms via a free, plugin-extensible framework distributed through elgg.org and GitHub.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Elgg is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Portland
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Elgg business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Open Source Distribution: The core Elgg platform is distributed free of charge as open source software under GPL license. No direct revenue is generated from software licensing.
- Professional Services Marketplace: Community-based marketplace connecting users with freelance Elgg developers for customization, plugin/theme development, installation, migration, and hosting services. Service providers set their own rates; Elgg Foundation does not take a commission.
- Supporters Scheme: Voluntary supporter program where individuals and organizations can financially contribute to the Elgg project. Supporters receive recognition on the official website.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Others | Open Source Core Platform - Free download and use |
| Subscription | Monthly | Third-party Hosting Providers - Variable pricing |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Elgg product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Elgg is an open source social networking engine distributed under GPL license, providing the core components (user profiles, activity streams, groups, messaging, file sharing, access control) needed to build socially aware web applications. It is delivered as a downloadable PHP-based framework supporting campus networks, internal organizational collaboration platforms, and brand communications tools for companies and their clients.
Product overview
Elgg is a single open-source social networking engine (framework) designed for building social environments. The product ecosystem consists of the core Elgg engine, a plugins/themes repository for community-contributed extensions, and comprehensive developer documentation including an API reference. The framework enables campus social networks, internal organizational platforms, and company-client communication tools.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Elgg Open Source Social Networking Engine An award-winning, GPL-licensed open source social networking engine providing the components (user profiles, activity streams, groups, messaging, access control) needed to build socially aware web applications. Targeted at educational institutions, organizations, community builders, and developer agencies building custom social platforms.
- Elgg Plugins & Themes Repository A community-driven directory that lets third-party developers publish and users discover plugins and themes that extend Elgg core functionality, including layout customization and additional social features.
- Elgg Professional Services Marketplace A marketplace of featured, approved Elgg developers and hosting providers offering customization, plugin and theme development, installation, migration, and managed hosting services directly to customers seeking tailored Elgg deployments.
Companies that use Elgg
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Elgg technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Elgg partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Elgg FoundationcoreThe Elgg Foundation is the governing body of the Elgg open source project, overseeing development direction, trademark licensing, and community governance. Operates as a non-profit organization supporting the project's long-term sustainability.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves4 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Elgg competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Elgg social profiles
Digital presenceElgg financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Elgg leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Elgg funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Elgg M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Elgg
What does Elgg do?
Elgg is an open source social networking engine distributed under GPL license, providing the core components (user profiles, activity streams, groups, messaging, file sharing, access control) needed to build socially aware web applications. It is delivered as a downloadable PHP-based framework supporting campus networks, internal organizational collaboration platforms, and brand communications tools for companies and their clients.
Is Elgg a public or private company?
Elgg is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Elgg founded?
Elgg was founded in 2014. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Elgg based?
Elgg is headquartered in Portland, United States, in the North America region.
How does Elgg make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Open Source Distribution is the primary driver. The others are professional Services Marketplace and supporters Scheme.
Does Elgg have an API?
No public API is recorded for Elgg.