SHSelfHostIndex

Bludit 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.

Not the right match-up?
Bludit Simple flat-file CMS for fast websites and blogs VS MO MODX Revolution CMS and application framework with creative freedom
FeatureBluditMODX Revolution
Deploy effortUnder-an-hour setupUnder-an-hour setup
Health score83 · Excellent80 · Excellent
CategoryContent Management SystemsContent Management Systems
LicenseMITGPL-2.0
LanguagePHPPHP
Setup difficultyEasyMedium
Min. RAM128 MB512 MB
Deploymentdocker, bare-metal, sourcedocker, bare-metal, source
GitHub stars★ 1,469★ 1,411
First released20152005
ReplacesWordPress, WixWordPress, Drupal

What are Bludit and MODX Revolution?

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

Read the full Bludit guide →

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

Read the full MODX Revolution guide →

Bludit vs MODX Revolution: key differences

Both projects are written in PHP. Licensing differs — MIT for Bludit versus GPL-2.0 for MODX Revolution. Bludit 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 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
Bludit details

Choose MODX Revolution if…

  • No markup constraints
  • Good for custom builds

Watch out for

  • Steeper learning curve
  • Smaller community
MODX Revolution details

Frequently asked questions

Is Bludit or MODX Revolution better?

Bludit is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider MODX Revolution if its specific feature set fits your needs better.

Are Bludit and MODX Revolution free and open-source?

Yes. Bludit is licensed under MIT and MODX Revolution under GPL-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.

Can I run Bludit and MODX Revolution with Docker?

Bludit: yes. MODX Revolution: yes.

Which is lighter on resources, Bludit or MODX Revolution?

Bludit 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.

Related comparisons