Bludit 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.
Bludit
Simple flat-file CMS for fast websites and blogs
VS
Kirby
File-based CMS for designers and developers
| Feature | Bludit | Kirby |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 83 · Excellent | 84 · Excellent |
| Category | Content Management Systems | Content Management Systems |
| License | MIT | Proprietary |
| Language | PHP | PHP |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal, source | docker, bare-metal, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 1,469 | ★ 1,531 |
| First released | 2015 | 2012 |
| Replaces | WordPress, Wix | WordPress, Squarespace |
What are Bludit and Kirby?
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
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
Bludit vs Kirby: key differences
Both projects are written in PHP. Licensing differs — MIT for Bludit versus Proprietary for Kirby. Bludit 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 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 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 Bludit or Kirby better?
Neither is universally better. Kirby has the larger community, while Bludit is simpler to set up (easy difficulty). Choose based on the comparison table above and your own setup.
Are Bludit and Kirby free and open-source?
Yes. Bludit is licensed under MIT and Kirby under Proprietary. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Bludit and Kirby with Docker?
Bludit: yes. Kirby: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Bludit or Kirby?
Bludit 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.