Kirby 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.
| Feature | Kirby | MODX Revolution |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 84 · Excellent | 80 · Excellent |
| Category | Content Management Systems | Content Management Systems |
| License | Proprietary | GPL-2.0 |
| Language | PHP | PHP |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 256 MB | 512 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal, source | docker, bare-metal, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 1,531 | ★ 1,411 |
| First released | 2012 | 2005 |
| Replaces | WordPress, Squarespace | WordPress, Drupal |
What are Kirby and MODX Revolution?
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
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
Kirby vs MODX Revolution: key differences
Both projects are written in PHP. Licensing differs — Proprietary for Kirby versus GPL-2.0 for MODX Revolution. Kirby is the lighter option, starting around 256 MB of RAM against 512 MB for MODX Revolution. MODX Revolution is the more established project (first released 2005), while Kirby arrived in 2012.
Why pick each one
Choose Kirby if…
- Easy backups and version control
- Highly customizable
Watch out for
- Commercial license required for production
- Free only for personal use
Choose MODX Revolution if…
- No markup constraints
- Good for custom builds
Watch out for
- Steeper learning curve
- Smaller community
Frequently asked questions
Is Kirby or MODX Revolution better?
Neither is universally better. Kirby has the larger community; both share a medium setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are Kirby and MODX Revolution free and open-source?
Yes. Kirby is licensed under Proprietary and MODX Revolution under GPL-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Kirby and MODX Revolution with Docker?
Kirby: yes. MODX Revolution: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Kirby or MODX Revolution?
Kirby has the smaller minimum footprint at 256 MB of RAM, compared to about 512 MB for MODX Revolution. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.