Bludit vs Concrete CMS
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted content management systems options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Bludit
Simple flat-file CMS for fast websites and blogs
VS
Concrete CMS
In-context editing CMS for marketers and site owners
| Feature | Bludit | Concrete CMS |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 83 · Excellent | 82 · Excellent |
| Category | Content Management Systems | Content Management Systems |
| License | MIT | MIT |
| Language | PHP | PHP |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 512 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal, source | docker, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 1,469 | ★ 852 |
| First released | 2015 | 2008 |
| Replaces | WordPress, Wix | Wix, Squarespace |
What are Bludit and Concrete CMS?
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
Concrete CMS
Concrete CMS is an open-source content management system known for its intuitive in-context editing, letting users edit pages directly on the front end. It targets non-technical website owners who want easy visual control.
- In-context front-end editing
- Drag-and-drop block layouts
- Built-in marketplace
- Workflow and versioning
Bludit vs Concrete CMS: key differences
Both projects are written in PHP. Bludit is the lighter option, starting around 128 MB of RAM against 512 MB for Concrete CMS. Concrete CMS is the more established project (first released 2008), while Bludit arrived in 2015.
Why pick each one
Choose Bludit if…
- Very easy to set up
- Easy to back up
Watch out for
- Not suited to large sites
- Smaller ecosystem
Choose Concrete CMS if…
- Very approachable for non-technical editors
- No separate admin needed for content
Watch out for
- Smaller community
- Fewer themes available
Frequently asked questions
Is Bludit or Concrete CMS 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 Bludit and Concrete CMS free and open-source?
Yes. Bludit is licensed under MIT and Concrete CMS under MIT. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Bludit and Concrete CMS with Docker?
Bludit: yes. Concrete CMS: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Bludit or Concrete CMS?
Bludit has the smaller minimum footprint at 128 MB of RAM, compared to about 512 MB for Concrete CMS. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.