Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Kirby VS TYPO3

Compare Kirby VS TYPO3 and see what are their differences

Kirby logo Kirby

Kirby is a website for businesses to use to sort contacts and other information. The site is easy to use and features several details for businesses of all sizes.

TYPO3 logo TYPO3

TYPO3.com - Infos, SLAs, Extended Support Versions and more
  • Kirby Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-18
  • TYPO3 Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-04-29

Kirby features and specs

  • Flexibility
    Kirby is highly flexible and can be tailored to fit various project needs, from simple websites to complex applications.
  • Flat-File CMS
    Kirby uses a flat-file system for content storage, eliminating the need for a database and simplifying deployment and backups.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    Kirby provides an intuitive and clean admin panel, making it easy for content editors to manage their websites.
  • Performance
    The flat-file nature of Kirby CMS results in fast load times and responsive performance, as there is no database overhead.
  • Customization
    Developers can write custom plugins and templates easily due to Kirby's modular architecture and extensive API.
  • Security
    Kirby is designed with security in mind, offering features like user authentication, management, and regular updates to patch vulnerabilities.
  • Detailed Documentation
    Kirby offers comprehensive and well-organized documentation that helps developers quickly get up to speed and solve issues.
  • Community Support
    An active community and forum provide support, tutorials, and shared plugins to enhance functionality.

Possible disadvantages of Kirby

  • Cost
    Kirby is a paid CMS, which might be a drawback for those looking for a free solution. A license must be purchased for commercial use.
  • Learning Curve
    While it is flexible, Kirby requires some initial learning, especially for those who are used to database-driven CMS platforms like WordPress.
  • Not for Large-Scale Websites
    Due to its flat-file nature, Kirby may not be the best choice for very large websites with high traffic or massive content databases.
  • Limited Built-In Features
    Compared to other CMS platforms like WordPress, Kirby has fewer built-in plugins and themes, requiring more custom development.
  • Developer-Oriented
    Kirby's structure is more suited to developers who are comfortable writing code, which can be a hurdle for non-technical users.

TYPO3 features and specs

  • Flexibility
    TYPO3 offers a high degree of flexibility and can be customized to meet the specific needs of various types of websites and applications.
  • Scalability
    Designed to handle everything from small sites to large enterprise-level projects, TYPO3 scales effectively with the growing needs of businesses.
  • Multilingual Support
    TYPO3 provides extensive support for multiple languages, making it an ideal choice for global businesses that require multilingual websites.
  • Integrated Digital Asset Management
    With built-in digital asset management, TYPO3 allows for easy handling of images, videos, and other media files.
  • Strong Community and Support
    A robust community and a wealth of documentation ensure that users can find support and resources when needed.
  • Security
    TYPO3 is known for its strong focus on security, regularly updating and maintaining the core to protect against vulnerabilities.

Possible disadvantages of TYPO3

  • Steep Learning Curve
    Due to its extensive features and flexibility, TYPO3 has a steep learning curve, making it challenging for beginners.
  • Complex Setup
    Setting up and configuring TYPO3 can be complex and time-consuming, often requiring professional help.
  • Resource Intensive
    TYPO3 can be resource-intensive, requiring more server resources and hosting capabilities, especially for larger installations.
  • Limited Plugin Availability
    Compared to other CMS platforms like WordPress, TYPO3 has a more limited selection of plugins, which may restrict some functionality.
  • Higher Development Costs
    Due to its complexity and the expertise required, development costs for TYPO3 projects can be higher compared to other CMS platforms.

Analysis of Kirby

Overall verdict

  • Kirby is a highly recommended CMS for developers seeking a lightweight, customizable solution that doesn’t compromise on performance. It’s a great choice for those who prefer writing and managing content via files rather than a traditional database system. The licensing cost is reasonable, making it accessible for small to medium projects.

Why this product is good

  • Kirby is a flexible, flat-file content management system (CMS) that is highly customizable and easy to set up. It doesn’t require a database, which simplifies deployment and maintenance. Kirby is known for its simplicity, speed, and developer-friendly approach. Its panel interface is user-friendly, making it easy for content creators to manage their sites. Additionally, the CMS offers a powerful templating engine and is suitable for a wide range of projects, from small websites to more complex builds.

Recommended for

    Kirby is particularly suitable for developers who appreciate coding flexibility and control over their CMS. It’s ideal for projects that require a tailored approach, whether for a personal portfolio, a small business site, or more intricate web applications. Content creators who favor a straightforward admin interface without the complexity of database management will also find Kirby appealing.

Analysis of TYPO3

Overall verdict

  • TYPO3 is a strong choice for users who need a powerful, scalable CMS with extensive customization options and a strong focus on security. However, it might have a steeper learning curve compared to some other CMS platforms, which is something to consider if ease of use is a priority.

Why this product is good

  • TYPO3 is a robust and flexible content management system (CMS) that is suitable for a wide range of websites, from small blogs to large enterprise sites. It is open-source, which means it benefits from a large community of developers contributing to its continuous improvement. TYPO3 is known for its scalability, security, and ability to handle complex, high-traffic websites. Additionally, it offers a variety of extensions and customization options to fit specific needs.

Recommended for

    TYPO3 is recommended for medium to large enterprises, governmental organizations, and businesses that require a high level of customization and scalability in their CMS. It is particularly well-suited for users who have the technical expertise or resources to manage a more complex platform, or for those who anticipate significant growth and need a CMS that can scale accordingly.

Kirby videos

Kirby Star Allies Review

More videos:

  • Review - Kirby Star Allies Review │ If You Can't Eat 'Em, Join 'Em
  • Review - Johnny vs. Kirby's Dream Land

TYPO3 videos

A basic introduction to the TYPO3 content management system (CMS) backend

More videos:

  • Review - TYPO3 through a beginner’s eyes @ TYPO3 Developer Days 2019
  • Demo - Content Publisher for TYPO3 - Workflow Demo

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Kirby and TYPO3)
CMS
48 48%
52% 52
Blogging
60 60%
40% 40
Blogging Platform
53 53%
47% 47
Development
38 38%
62% 62

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Kirby and TYPO3

Kirby Reviews

We have no reviews of Kirby yet.
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TYPO3 Reviews

19 Best WordPress Alternatives in 2025
TYPO3 is a free, open-source Enterprise Content Management System (CMS) known for its scalability, security, and flexibility. It's a powerful platform suitable for complex websites with many features, but its complexity can be a hurdle for beginners.
Source: www.pixpa.com
Top 10 Web Content Management Systems
TYPO3 is the last pick in this list, so I thought it is appropriate to close the list with another option that can be considered as a jack of all trades, similar to Drupal and WordPress. TYPO3 is one of the oldest CMS systems on the web, dating back to 1998. TYPO3 is another candidate to be considered as one of the best free CMS platforms with an open-source CMS approach....
Source: cloudzy.com
11 Popular Free And Open Source WordPress CMS alternatives in 2021
Typo3 is an open-source, professional, flexible Content Management System for enterpries. With it, you can build websites, intranets, and online applications, make from small sites multinational corporations.
Source: medevel.com
CMS comparison 2018: The 5 most popular open source systems
Basically, theThe giant spectrum of functions offered by TYPO3 makes it possible to implement any kind of online project. But this comes at a considerable expense for installation, configuration, and maintenance. The prominence and good reputation of the software contribute to its use by comparatively small websites. In this case, users are usually expending much more effort...
Source: www.1and1.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Kirby seems to be a lot more popular than TYPO3. While we know about 43 links to Kirby, we've tracked only 1 mention of TYPO3. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Kirby mentions (43)

  • WordPress Is in Trouble
    There are CMSes that work with static site generators. Static site generators do not imply that the input is markdown, though this is often the usecase. https://decapcms.org/ https://getkirby.com/ https://tina.io/ https://statamic.com/ ect ect. - Source: Hacker News / 5 months ago
  • WordPress Is in Trouble
    PHP based static file CMS (w/o database) to render markdown on the fly: * Kirby: https://getkirby.com/. - Source: Hacker News / 5 months ago
  • Democratising Publishing
    I gave October a pretty serious look about five or six years ago. I like the fact that you can code in the interface, which can feel more friendly than competing platforms. But I thought the community hadn’t reached a level of scale that I thought was enough that I could trust it. Also, I know that you have said you’re willing to pay and you’re not necessarily looking for FOSS, but I will point out there was some... - Source: Hacker News / 7 months ago
  • Ask HN: Alternatives to Yoast SEO for non-WordPress sites
    If you have mostly static web sites with little work to update, you could try out the flat-file KirbyCMS: https://getkirby.com/ - it is a CMS I tried myself and liked quite much. I want to point out that it is not an open-source project like Wordpress, but a one-time licence fee you have to pay once you go live with your project. There is a great community around KirbyCMS who are building plugins for it, for... - Source: Hacker News / 8 months ago
  • Ask HN: Where After WordPress?
    I have been using kirby (https://getkirby.com/) for all my (mostly non-dynamic) websites with great success the last few years. It's super stable, flexible, under active development and has a great ecosystem. Can't recommend it enough. - Source: Hacker News / 8 months ago
View more

TYPO3 mentions (1)

  • Always try to focus on what you really Want to do, even if it takes Years
    But there was this TYPO3 CMS that I was actually always in contact with. Already at the very beginning when it was released I used it privately. In the first years of my second attempt as a freelancer, I used TYPO3 more and more, and got better and better at it. - Source: dev.to / about 4 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Kirby and TYPO3, you can also consider the following products

Statamic - Build better, easier to manage websites. Enjoy radical efficiency. It's everything you never knew you always wanted in a CMS.

WordPress - WordPress is web software you can use to create a beautiful website or blog. We like to say that WordPress is both free and priceless at the same time.

Craft CMS - Content management system built on Yii PHP Framework

Drupal - Drupal - the leading open-source CMS for ambitious digital experiences that reach your audience across multiple channels. Because we all have different needs, Drupal allows you to create a unique space in a world of cookie-cutter solutions.

Sitecake - Drag and drop CMS for HTML websites. It's flat file CMS so it's pretty fast.

ClassicPress - The WordPress fork. No Gutenberg. Great future!