Grav vs Strapi
A flat-file CMS that stores content in Markdown, with no database. A headless CMS with an admin panel for content types. Compare the capabilities you need, then check hosting, licensing and maintenance. This pair is shown for browsing but is not indexed (not among the leading projects of a shared category).
| Attribute | Grav | Strapi |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | A flat-file CMS that stores content in Markdown, with no database. | A headless CMS with an admin panel for content types. |
| Documented capabilities | Flat-file content in Markdown, Twig templating and YAML configuration, Plugins and themes installed from the CLI, Built-in caching | Custom content types, Admin panel, REST and GraphQL |
| Best-fit workflow | Small sites and docs where content lives in files under version control. | Teams shipping a site or app that needs an editor-facing content API. |
| Check before choosing | There is no database, so plan backups around the user folder. | The community edition is MIT-licensed; features under the enterprise directories have separate terms. |
| Deployment options | ZIP package, Composer | Node, Docker |
| GitHub stars | 15,688 | 73,325 |
| License | MIT | Custom |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Docker noted | Not recorded | Yes |
| Cloud / hosted | Not recorded | Yes |
| Primary language | PHP | TypeScript |
| Last commit | 2026-10-15 | 2026-10-17 |
| Difficulty | Easy | Moderate |
| Content source | Editorial catalog entry | Editorial catalog entry |
| Metadata checked | Check the current repository | 2026-10-17 |
| Forks | 1.4k | 9.9k |
| Star growth | Not recorded | +59 (2026-10-01 to 2026-10-17) |
| Alternative to | Not recorded | Contentful |
This comparison uses recorded capabilities, not hands-on performance tests. A capability missing from one record does not mean that product lacks it. Confirm edition, version and current pricing in the official documentation.
When to consider Grav
Small sites and docs where content lives in files under version control.
There is no database, so plan backups around the user folder.
Grav documentation and sourceWhen to consider Strapi
Teams shipping a site or app that needs an editor-facing content API.
The community edition is MIT-licensed; features under the enterprise directories have separate terms.
Strapi documentation and sourceGrav vs Strapi questions
- What is Grav?
- A flat-file CMS that stores content in Markdown, with no database.
- What is Strapi?
- A headless CMS with an admin panel for content types.
- Can you self-host Grav and Strapi?
- Both can be self-hosted.
- What licenses do Grav and Strapi use?
- Grav uses the MIT license. Strapi uses a custom license.
- Which has more GitHub stars, Grav or Strapi?
- Strapi has 73k stars and Grav has 16k. Stars show attention; check recent commits and releases for maintenance.
- What languages are Grav and Strapi written in?
- Grav is mainly written in PHP. Strapi is mainly written in TypeScript.