Backdrop CMS vs Grav
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted content management systems options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Grav
Fast flat-file CMS with no database required
| Feature | Backdrop CMS | Grav |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 83 · Excellent | 95 · Excellent |
| Category | Content Management Systems | Content Management Systems |
| License | GPL-2.0 | MIT |
| Language | PHP | PHP |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 512 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal, source | docker, bare-metal, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 1,046 | ★ 15,671 |
| First released | 2015 | 2014 |
| Replaces | WordPress, Drupal | WordPress, Squarespace |
What are Backdrop CMS and Grav?
Backdrop CMS
Backdrop CMS is an open-source content management system forked from Drupal 7, aimed at small to medium organizations. It keeps Drupal's power while focusing on lower cost and easier use.
- Drupal-derived power
- Configuration management
- Lower hosting requirements
- Layout system
Grav
Grav is a modern open-source flat-file CMS that requires no database, storing content in Markdown files. It is fast to deploy and well suited to blogs, documentation, and small to medium websites.
- No database needed
- Markdown-based content
- Plugin and theme ecosystem
- Fast page rendering
Backdrop CMS vs Grav: key differences
Both projects are written in PHP. Licensing differs — GPL-2.0 for Backdrop CMS versus MIT for Grav. Grav is the lighter option, starting around 256 MB of RAM against 512 MB for Backdrop CMS. Grav has the considerably larger community, at 15,671 GitHub stars versus 1,046.
Why pick each one
Choose Backdrop CMS if…
- Cheaper to run than Drupal
- Familiar to Drupal users
Watch out for
- Smaller community
- Fewer modules than Drupal
Choose Grav if…
- Trivial to back up and migrate
- Quick to set up
Watch out for
- Less ideal for very large sites
- Admin plugin needed for GUI editing
Frequently asked questions
Is Backdrop CMS or Grav better?
Grav is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider Backdrop CMS if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are Backdrop CMS and Grav free and open-source?
Yes. Backdrop CMS is licensed under GPL-2.0 and Grav under MIT. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Backdrop CMS and Grav with Docker?
Backdrop CMS: yes. Grav: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Backdrop CMS or Grav?
Grav has the smaller minimum footprint at 256 MB of RAM, compared to about 512 MB for Backdrop CMS. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.