Grav vs Joomla

Grav and Joomla are both popular content management systems used for building websites. Grav is a flat-file CMS known for its simplicity and speed, while Joomla is a traditional database-driven CMS with a wide range of features and extensions.

General information

Grav
Joomla
Introduction :
Grav is a modern open-source flat-file CMS that was launched in 2014. It has gained popularity for its simplicity, speed, and flexibility, making it a popular choice for developers and content creators. Grav's modular architecture allows for easy customization and its Markdown-based content creation simplifies the publishing process. With a growing community and extensive documentation, Grav is a reliable platform for building websites of all sizes.
Introduction :
Joomla is a widely-used open-source content management system that was launched in 2005. It is known for its flexibility, ease of use, and strong community support. Joomla is popular among users who need a robust platform for creating websites, blogs, and online applications. Its extensive range of templates and extensions make it a versatile choice for various types of websites.
Advantages :
  • Fast performance due to flat-file structure. - Highly flexible and customizable with modular architecture. - Built-in version control for content. - Excellent caching system for improved speed. - Easy to learn and use for beginners.
Advantages :
  • User-friendly interface for easy content management
  • Extensive customization options with thousands of extensions
  • Strong community support for troubleshooting and updates
  • SEO-friendly features for better search engine visibility
  • Mobile responsiveness for optimal user experience
Disadvantages :
  • Limited number of themes available
  • Steeper learning curve compared to some platforms
  • Less user-friendly for beginners
  • Smaller community support compared to others
  • Limited built-in features and functionalities
Disadvantages :
  • Limited built-in features compared to others
  • Steeper learning curve for beginners
  • Less extensive plugin and theme library
  • Not as popular or widely supported
  • Requires more technical knowledge for customization
Website users : Thousands
Grav is used by thousands of websites, making it a popular choice among content management systems for web development projects.
Website users : 2.5%
Joomla powers approximately 2.5% of websites on the internet, making it a popular choice among content management systems.
๐ŸŸก Difficulty : Average.
Getting started with Grav requires some technical knowledge, but the documentation and community support can help navigate the learning curve.
๐ŸŸก Difficulty : Average.
Getting started with Joomla may require some technical knowledge and learning curve, but resources and community support are available for assistance.
Year launched : 2011
Grav was launched in 2011, positioning it as a relatively newer content management system compared to others in the market.
Year launched : 2005
Joomla was launched in 2005, making it one of the older content management systems available for website development.
Official website : https://getgrav.org/
Official website : https://www.joomla.org/


Commercial details

Grav
Joomla
๐ŸŸก Open source : Partially.
Grav is partially open source, with the core code being fully open source but some premium plugins and themes being proprietary.
๐ŸŸข Open source : Fully.
Joomla is fully open source, allowing users to access and modify the codebase for complete customization and flexibility.
๐ŸŸข Free option : Yes.
Grav offers a free option with no limitations on features, making it a cost-effective choice for users looking to build websites without spending money.
๐ŸŸข Free option : Yes.
There is a free option for Joomla, but it may have limited features compared to paid versions. It is a self-hosted platform.
๐ŸŸข Paid option : Yes.
Grav offers a paid option for users seeking additional features and support, providing a more comprehensive experience for those willing to invest.
๐ŸŸข Paid option : Yes.
Joomla does offer a paid option for users who require additional features, support, or hosting services for their website.


Platform details

Grav
Joomla
๐ŸŸข Hosted : Yes.
There are hosted options available for Grav, offering convenience and ease of use for users who prefer a hosted solution.
๐ŸŸข Hosted : Yes.
Joomla offers a hosted option through various third-party vendors, providing users with the convenience of a managed hosting solution.
๐ŸŸข Self host : Yes.
Self-hosting is possible with Grav through various third-party vendors, offering flexibility and control over hosting options.
๐ŸŸข Self host : Yes.
Joomla offers a self-hosting option, allowing users to choose their own hosting provider for greater control and customization.
๐ŸŸก Headless CMS : Supported via plugin.
Grav does not natively support headless systems but can be integrated with headless features via plugins or APIs.
๐ŸŸก Headless CMS : Supported via plugin.
Joomla does not have native headless capabilities but can support it through plugins or extensions that enable headless features via an API.
๐ŸŸก Static content generation : Supported via plugin.
Grav does not natively support static content generation but can achieve this functionality perhaps via a popular plugin.
๐ŸŸก Static content generation : Supported via plugin.
Static content generation is possible in Joomla through popular plugins, offering flexibility and customization for users who require this feature.


Key features

Grav
Joomla
๐ŸŸข Content management : Support natively.
Grav offers a robust native content management system, providing comprehensive tools and features for efficient content management without the need for additional plugins.
๐ŸŸข Content management : Support natively.
Joomla offers robust native content management capabilities, making it a strong platform for efficiently managing and organizing content.
๐ŸŸก Blogging : Supported via plugin.
Grav can be enhanced for blogging with popular plugins like Blog Site and SimpleSearch, offering robust features for content creation and management.
๐ŸŸก Blogging : Supported via plugin.
Joomla can be used for blogging with the help of popular third-party extensions like EasyBlog or K2, offering advanced features for bloggers.
๐ŸŸก E-commerce : Supported via plugin.
Grav can be enhanced for e-commerce with popular plugins like Snipcart or Ecwid, offering robust features for online stores.
๐ŸŸก E-commerce : Supported via plugin.
Joomla can be used for e-commerce with popular extensions like VirtueMart, but may require additional setup compared to platforms like Shopify.
๐ŸŸก Community forum : Supported via plugin.
Grav can support a community/forum with the right plugins/extensions, but it may require additional setup compared to platforms with native community features.
๐ŸŸก Community forum : Supported via plugin.
Joomla offers forum functionality through popular extensions like Kunena, providing robust community features with customization options for a forum-centric website.
๐ŸŸก Content subscription : Supported via plugin.
Content subscriptions/paywalls can be implemented through third-party plugins/extensions, enhancing Grav's functionality in this area.
๐ŸŸก Content subscription : Supported via plugin.
Content subscriptions and paywalls can be implemented through third-party extensions like Akeeba Subscriptions or OSE Membership.


Other features

Grav
Joomla
๐ŸŸก Multi-site : Supported via plugin.
Grav does not support multi-site natively but can be enhanced by the popular 'MultiSite' plugin for managing multiple sites from a single installation.
๐ŸŸก Multi-site : Supported via plugin.
Joomla does not support multi-site natively but can be achieved through popular third-party extensions like JMS Multi-Sites or MightySites.
๐ŸŸก Multi-language : Supported via plugin.
Grav does not natively support multi-language but can be enhanced by popular plugins like 'Grav Multi-Language Plugin' for this functionality.
๐ŸŸข Multi-language : Support natively.
Joomla supports multi-language natively, allowing users to create multilingual websites without the need for additional plugins or extensions.
๐ŸŸก XML Sitemaps : Supported via plugin.
XML sitemaps can be added through a popular third-party plugin, enhancing Grav's functionality in this area.
๐ŸŸก XML Sitemaps : Supported via plugin.
Supports XML sitemaps through various third-party plugins, enhancing SEO capabilities and ensuring proper indexing of website content.


When choosing between Grav and Joomla, consider your specific needs and technical expertise. Grav is great for smaller, simpler websites that require speed and ease of use, while Joomla is better suited for larger, more complex sites with a need for extensive customization and functionality. Ultimately, the right choice depends on the scale and requirements of your project.