Automad vs MODX Revolution
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
MODX Revolution
CMS and application framework with creative freedom
| Feature | Automad | MODX Revolution |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 82 · Excellent | 80 · Excellent |
| Category | Content Management Systems | Content Management Systems |
| License | MIT | GPL-2.0 |
| Language | TypeScript | PHP |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 512 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal, source | docker, bare-metal, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 937 | ★ 1,411 |
| First released | 2014 | 2005 |
| Replaces | WordPress | WordPress, Drupal |
What are Automad and MODX Revolution?
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
MODX Revolution
MODX Revolution is an open-source content management system and web application framework that imposes no constraints on markup or design. It is used to build custom websites and applications.
- Complete design freedom
- Flexible templating
- Extensible with packages
- Granular permissions
Automad vs MODX Revolution: key differences
Automad is written in TypeScript, while MODX Revolution is built with PHP. Licensing differs — MIT for Automad versus GPL-2.0 for MODX Revolution. Automad is the lighter option, starting around 128 MB of RAM against 512 MB for MODX Revolution. MODX Revolution is the more established project (first released 2005), 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 MODX Revolution if…
- No markup constraints
- Good for custom builds
Watch out for
- Steeper learning curve
- Smaller community
Frequently asked questions
Is Automad or MODX Revolution better?
Neither is universally better. MODX Revolution 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 MODX Revolution free and open-source?
Yes. Automad is licensed under MIT and MODX Revolution under GPL-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Automad and MODX Revolution with Docker?
Automad: yes. MODX Revolution: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Automad or MODX Revolution?
Automad has the smaller minimum footprint at 128 MB of RAM, compared to about 512 MB for MODX Revolution. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.