Bludit vs SPIP
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
SPIP
CMS with a focus on collaborative edition and multilingualism
| Feature | Bludit | SPIP |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Read-the-docs project |
| Category | Content Management Systems | Content Management Systems |
| License | MIT | GPL-3.0-or-later |
| Language | PHP | |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 50 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal, source | bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 1,469 | — |
| First released | 2015 | 2023 |
| Replaces | WordPress, Wix | Blogger, Coldfusion, Wix |
What are Bludit and SPIP?
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
SPIP
CMS with a focus on collaborative edition and multilingualism.
Bludit vs SPIP: key differences
Licensing differs — MIT for Bludit versus GPL-3.0-or-later for SPIP. SPIP is the lighter option, starting around 50 MB of RAM against 128 MB for Bludit. Bludit is the more established project (first released 2015), while SPIP arrived in 2023. Bludit lists first-class Docker deployment; SPIP does not.
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 SPIP if…
- Released under the GPL-3.0-or-later license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- Tiny footprint — runs in 50 MB RAM
Frequently asked questions
Is Bludit or SPIP 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 SPIP free and open-source?
Yes. Bludit is licensed under MIT and SPIP under GPL-3.0-or-later. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Bludit and SPIP with Docker?
Bludit: yes. SPIP: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, Bludit or SPIP?
SPIP has the smaller minimum footprint at 50 MB of RAM, compared to about 128 MB for Bludit. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.