Grav vs Strapi

Grav and Strapi are both popular headless content management systems, but they have key differences in their approach. Grav is a flat-file CMS that offers simplicity and speed, while Strapi is a more robust API-based CMS with a focus on customization and scalability.

General information

Grav
Strapi
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 :
Strapi is a headless CMS that was launched in 2015 and has gained popularity for its open-source nature and flexibility. It allows users to create, manage, and distribute content across multiple platforms seamlessly. Strapi's user-friendly interface, customizable API, and extensive documentation make it a preferred choice for developers and content creators looking for a modern and efficient CMS solution.
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 :
  • Highly customizable and flexible for developers
  • Easy to use and manage content
  • Offers a wide range of plugins and extensions
  • Strong community support and documentation
  • Scalable for small to large projects
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 community support
  • Steeper learning curve compared to some platforms
  • Less flexibility in terms of customization
  • Limited number of available plugins and extensions
  • Higher cost for enterprise-level features
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 : 0.1% of websites
Strapi is a relatively niche platform, with a small but dedicated user base compared to more widely used CMSs.
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 Strapi requires some technical knowledge but provides comprehensive documentation and community support 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 : 2013
Strapi was launched in 2013, positioning it as a relatively newer option compared to other content management systems.
Official website : https://getgrav.org/
Official website : https://strapi.io/


Commercial details

Grav
Strapi
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.
Strapi is fully open source and written in JavaScript. The entire platform is available for modification and customization by the community.
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.
Strapi offers a free self-hosted option with no limitations on features, making it a cost-effective choice for users on a budget.
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.
Strapi offers a paid Enterprise Edition for organizations requiring advanced features, support, and customization options beyond the free Community Edition.


Platform details

Grav
Strapi
๐ŸŸข Hosted : Yes.
There are hosted options available for Grav, offering convenience and ease of use for users who prefer a hosted solution.
โšช Hosted : Unknown.
Hosted options may be available through third-party vendors, but direct hosting by Strapi is unclear.
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.
Self-hosting is possible with Strapi, giving users more control over their hosting environment and data security.
๐ŸŸก Headless CMS : Supported via plugin.
Grav does not natively support headless systems but can be integrated with headless features via plugins or APIs.
๐ŸŸข Headless CMS : Support natively.
Strapi is a headless CMS by design, offering robust API capabilities for decoupled front-end development and seamless content delivery.
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.
Strapi does not natively support static content generation but can be achieved perhaps via a popular plugin.


Key features

Grav
Strapi
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.
Strapi is a native platform for managing content, offering robust features and customization options without the need for additional plugins.
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.
Strapi can be used for blogging with the help of third-party plugins, offering flexibility and customization options 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.
๐Ÿ”ด E-commerce : Not supported.
Strapi is not specifically designed for e-commerce functionality, but it can be adapted for this purpose with custom development or integrations.
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.
Strapi can be used for a community/forum with the help of third-party plugins/extensions for enhanced functionality.
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.
Support for content subscriptions/paywalls can be enhanced by popular third-party plugins/extensions in the Strapi ecosystem.


Other features

Grav
Strapi
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.
Multi-site functionality can be achieved through the use of the Strapi Multisite plugin, offering flexibility and customization for managing multiple sites.
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.
Strapi supports multi-language natively, allowing users to easily create and manage content in multiple languages without the need for additional plugins.
๐ŸŸก XML Sitemaps : Supported via plugin.
XML sitemaps can be added through a popular third-party plugin, enhancing Grav's functionality in this area.
๐Ÿ”ด XML Sitemaps : Not supported.
Strapi does not support XML sitemaps natively or through a popular 3rd party plugin/extension, limiting SEO optimization capabilities.


When choosing between Grav and Strapi, consider your specific needs for content management. If you value simplicity and speed, Grav may be the right choice. However, if you require advanced customization and scalability through APIs, Strapi could be the better option. Ultimately, the decision should be based on your project requirements and technical expertise.