FastAPI vs Grav
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?
FastAPI
Custom Web app to run a FastAPI program written in Python
VS
Grav
Fast flat-file CMS with no database required
| Feature | FastAPI | Grav |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Content Management Systems | Content Management Systems |
| License | GPL-3.0-or-later | MIT |
| Language | Shell | PHP |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 50 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | bare-metal | docker, bare-metal, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 3 | ★ 15,620 |
| First released | 2023 | 2014 |
| Replaces | — | WordPress, Squarespace |
Why pick each one
Choose FastAPI if…
- Released under the GPL-3.0-or-later license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- Written in Shell
- Tiny footprint — runs in 50 MB RAM
Frequently asked questions
Is FastAPI or Grav better?
Neither is universally better. Grav has the larger community; both share a easy setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are FastAPI and Grav free and open-source?
Yes. FastAPI is licensed under GPL-3.0-or-later and Grav under MIT. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run FastAPI and Grav with Docker?
FastAPI: check the project docs for container support. Grav: yes.