Automad vs Bludit
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted content management systems options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Automad
Flat-file CMS and template engine in one
VS
Bludit
Simple flat-file CMS for fast websites and blogs
| Feature | Automad | Bludit |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 82 · Excellent | 83 · Excellent |
| Category | Content Management Systems | Content Management Systems |
| License | MIT | MIT |
| Language | TypeScript | PHP |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 128 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal, source | docker, bare-metal, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 937 | ★ 1,469 |
| First released | 2014 | 2015 |
| Replaces | WordPress | WordPress, Wix |
What are Automad and Bludit?
Automad
Automad is a flexible flat-file content management system with a built-in template engine and an in-page editing dashboard. It stores all content in text files for easy version control.
- Flat-file content
- Built-in template engine
- In-page editing dashboard
- Git-friendly
Bludit
Bludit is a lightweight flat-file CMS that stores content in JSON files, requiring no database. It is aimed at users who want a quick, simple website or blog without complex setup.
- No database needed
- Plugin and theme support
- Markdown editor
- Quick installation
Automad vs Bludit: key differences
Automad is written in TypeScript, while Bludit is built with PHP.
Why pick each one
Choose Automad if…
- No database to manage
- Self-contained and portable
Watch out for
- Small community
- Limited extensions
Choose Bludit if…
- Very easy to set up
- Easy to back up
Watch out for
- Not suited to large sites
- Smaller ecosystem
Frequently asked questions
Is Automad or Bludit better?
Neither is universally better. Bludit has the larger community; both share a easy setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are Automad and Bludit free and open-source?
Yes. Automad is licensed under MIT and Bludit under MIT. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Automad and Bludit with Docker?
Automad: yes. Bludit: yes.