Backdrop CMS vs Wagtail
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted content management systems options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | Backdrop CMS | Wagtail |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 83 · Excellent | 96 · Excellent |
| Category | Content Management Systems | Content Management Systems |
| License | GPL-2.0 | BSD-3-Clause |
| Language | PHP | Python |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 512 MB | 1,024 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal, source | docker, bare-metal, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 1,046 | ★ 20,505 |
| First released | 2015 | 2014 |
| Replaces | WordPress, Drupal | Adobe Experience Manager, WordPress |
What are Backdrop CMS and Wagtail?
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
Wagtail
Wagtail is an open-source Django content management system focused on a refined editor experience and developer flexibility. It powers many large, content-rich websites with structured page models.
- Refined editor interface
- StreamField flexible content
- Headless API option
- Strong accessibility focus
Backdrop CMS vs Wagtail: key differences
Backdrop CMS is written in PHP, while Wagtail is built with Python. Licensing differs — GPL-2.0 for Backdrop CMS versus BSD-3-Clause for Wagtail. Backdrop CMS is the lighter option, starting around 512 MB of RAM against 1,024 MB for Wagtail. Wagtail has the considerably larger community, at 20,505 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 Wagtail if…
- Excellent editing experience
- Great for Python developers
Watch out for
- Requires Django expertise
- Heavier hosting needs
Frequently asked questions
Is Backdrop CMS or Wagtail better?
Neither is universally better. Wagtail has the larger community; both share a medium setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are Backdrop CMS and Wagtail free and open-source?
Yes. Backdrop CMS is licensed under GPL-2.0 and Wagtail under BSD-3-Clause. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Backdrop CMS and Wagtail with Docker?
Backdrop CMS: yes. Wagtail: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Backdrop CMS or Wagtail?
Backdrop CMS has the smaller minimum footprint at 512 MB of RAM, compared to about 1,024 MB for Wagtail. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.