Automad vs Kirby
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
Kirby
File-based CMS for designers and developers
| Feature | Automad | Kirby |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 82 · Excellent | 84 · Excellent |
| Category | Content Management Systems | Content Management Systems |
| License | MIT | Proprietary |
| Language | TypeScript | PHP |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal, source | docker, bare-metal, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 937 | ★ 1,531 |
| First released | 2014 | 2012 |
| Replaces | WordPress | WordPress, Squarespace |
What are Automad and Kirby?
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
Kirby
Kirby is a flexible file-based content management system that stores content in plain text files and gives developers full control over markup. It is popular for portfolios and custom-designed websites.
- File-based content storage
- Flexible panel for editors
- No database required
- Developer-friendly templating
Automad vs Kirby: key differences
Automad is written in TypeScript, while Kirby is built with PHP. Licensing differs — MIT for Automad versus Proprietary for Kirby. Automad is the lighter option, starting around 128 MB of RAM against 256 MB for Kirby. Kirby is the more established project (first released 2012), while Automad arrived in 2014.
Why pick each one
Choose Automad if…
- No database to manage
- Self-contained and portable
Watch out for
- Small community
- Limited extensions
Choose Kirby if…
- Easy backups and version control
- Highly customizable
Watch out for
- Commercial license required for production
- Free only for personal use
Frequently asked questions
Is Automad or Kirby better?
Neither is universally better. Kirby has the larger community, while Automad is simpler to set up (easy difficulty). Choose based on the comparison table above and your own setup.
Are Automad and Kirby free and open-source?
Yes. Automad is licensed under MIT and Kirby under Proprietary. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Automad and Kirby with Docker?
Automad: yes. Kirby: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Automad or Kirby?
Automad has the smaller minimum footprint at 128 MB of RAM, compared to about 256 MB for Kirby. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.