Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Grav

The modern open source flat-file CMS.

Grav

Grav Reviews and Details

This page is designed to help you find out whether Grav is good and if it is the right choice for you.

Screenshots and images

  • Grav Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-04-18

Features & Specs

  1. Flat-file architecture

    Grav is a flat-file CMS, which means it doesn't rely on a database. It stores content in files and folders, making it easy to manage, version control, and requiring less server resources.

  2. Performance

    Without a database layer, Grav can deliver faster load times and better performance, especially critical for high traffic websites.

  3. Flexibility and Customization

    Grav is highly customizable with a flexible API that allows developers to build and extend functionalities effortlessly.

  4. Ease of Installation and Setup

    Grav boasts a simple setup process. You can get started quickly without complex configurations, making it accessible for both developers and non-developers.

  5. Strong Community and Documentation

    Grav has an active community that provides robust support. The extensive documentation helps users get through the learning curve quickly.

  6. Security

    Flat-file systems like Grav are typically less vulnerable to common database-related security issues like SQL injection attacks.

  7. Themes and Plugins

    Grav offers a variety of themes and plugins that enhance its functionality, allowing users to add new features without extensive coding.

Badges

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Videos

GRAV Dugout Review

Newest GRAV Hand Pipes

Upline Collection from GRAV // 420 Science Club

Social recommendations and mentions

We have tracked the following product recommendations or mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you see what people think about Grav and what they use it for.
  • Apple is increasing my cortisol levels
    I don't even track the clicks, at this point the shortener is just an Apache2 container with a long config file and some shell scripts for me adding new links: https://blog.kronis.dev/blog/sometimes-dropbox-is-just-ftp-building-a-link-shortener Previously it was YOURLS but now it's the simpler setup, the whole reason for me adding it was that Grav (which is otherwise a lovely flat-file CMS) was really bad at... - Source: Hacker News / 2 months ago
  • The CMS is dead. Long live the CMS
    For a while flat-file CMSs where all the rage. I've been using Grav for a while, it is based on (markdown) files as well but also has a GUI and a comparatively large community. https://getgrav.org/ "Voted "Best Flat File CMS" in 2017, 2019, 2020 & 2021!" :-). - Source: Hacker News / 4 months ago
  • Ask HN: Looking for Headless CMS Recommendation
    If you're hell-bent on headless, I can personally recommend 11ty (https://www.11ty.dev/) and hugo (https://gohugo.io/). That said, for non-technical admins, you probably want a user interface. For that, Ghost (https://ghost.org/) and Grav (https://getgrav.org/). Or Wordpress! - Source: Hacker News / 11 months ago
  • A new path forward for WordPress, and for the open web
    Migrating to SSG is definitely one of the options! I do wonder what other CMSes people do enjoy, though. My blog runs on Grav, a flat file CMS that still allows me to easily keep the content in Git, while also having some dynamic content and search (and optionally an admin UI): https://getgrav.org/. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • Aether: A CMS That Gets Out of Your Way
    > Aether sits in the sweet spot: simple enough for content creators, flexible enough for developers, fast enough for users. A thing that most other developers miss is that non-technical people, like (and especially) content creator,s shy away from a terminal as if it were such a plague. Some of them don't even have the mind concept of a directory tree, from a root drive to nested ones. Therefore, if you have to... - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • My blog doesn't need quality, it needs to look like it's from the 90s
    Perhaps "polish" or "a sleek, modern UI" would have been slightly better wording on my part in regards to the look, but otherwise I'm quite happy that I settled on Grav and also the idea of versioning everything in Git, alongside a CI/CD pipeline, instead of one long lived instance on the server. Grav is pretty cool: https://getgrav.org/. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • Ask HN: Do you still self-host a blog? What's your publishing stack?
    Is there a particular stack you prefer? If JS, maybe consider Astro (for simple blogs)? It has built-in MDX support and deploys in a few seconds. If PHP, maybe https://getgrav.org/? For Go or a prebuilt binary, maybe https://gohugo.io/? - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Matt Mullenweg Asks What Drama to Create in 2025, Community Reacts
    There was a whole rash of them a few years back. I'm not sure if any of them took off or what. https://ghost.org/ https://strapi.io/ https://getgrav.org/ https://craftcms.com/. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Building a Simple Grav CMS Theme with Twig, PHP, and CSS
    But there is a content management system that makes it easier and simpler. And this is especially true for frontend developers. It's Grav CMS. - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
  • Ask HN: Why hasn't Drupal benefited from WordPress's current issues?
    Good point on the timing, but I really hope Wordpress users aren't migrating to Drupal en masse. Drupal would be a very poor fit for most Wordpress-y sites (simple marketing pages, basic ecommerce, etc.). It's overkill and way too complicated and requires endless maintenance (see my rant in a sibling thread). There are a lot of better, lighter options for people who liked the ease-of-use of Wordpress.... - Source: Hacker News / almost 2 years ago
  • Show HN: Migration Tool from WordPress to GravCMS
    - Site meta-data To learn more about GravCMS: https://getgrav.org/. - Source: Hacker News / almost 2 years ago
  • WordPress Alternatives
    Not mentioned in OP: https://getgrav.org/ I used it for a project once and both me and the client were happy. - Source: Hacker News / almost 2 years ago
  • Soupault: A static website management tool
    Also php driven https://getgrav.org has a webui admin panel which can replace it's CLI admin tool chain. - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
  • It Took Me a Decade to Find the Perfect Personal Website Stack โ€“ Ghost+Fathom
    I took a more traditional approach, focusing on something that's "good enough", which in my case was a cheap VPS and an install of Grav: https://getgrav.org/ Some optional customization for page templates/fonts/CSS, some CI so I can build and deploy it inside of a Docker container, Matomo for analytics that respect privacy (which I already use elsewhere) and some additional web server configuration to hide... - Source: Hacker News / about 3 years ago
  • Is it possible to convert a WordPress site into a static site that can still be easily edited?
    I'd check out Grav. https://getgrav.org/. Source: about 3 years ago
  • Gravity - A new, open source DNS/DHCP server with Adblocking and inbuilt config replication
    Also, there is a CMS called Grav. Both Gravity and Grav use a very similar (but not identical) font for their logo. Source: about 3 years ago
  • website with unlimited pages ??
    I would use a flat file cms like https://getgrav.org. Source: about 3 years ago
  • How to create a nice looking website for your game that is reasonably low effort and cost
    As an alternative to a static site with Hugo you can use grav for dynamic sites. Can't use it with GitHub pages, of course, but it does allow you to add searches and such to your site, while still writing your content in markdown files. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Advice for a complete beginner who's learning how to create a novel hosting site
    If not, then it's grav cms which is more than enough for you. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Ask HN: What self-hosted CMS can import from WordPress?
    I moved my personal blog to Grav a couple of years ago: https://pathar.tl/ https://getgrav.org/ There are plugins for WordPress to generate markdown files from your posts and then you can import that into Grav. I self-host this in Docker and find it much more pleasing to actually write things. Statamic is another similar markdown-based CMS that I've been eyeballing. - Source: Hacker News / over 3 years ago
  • best php-based cms/tech choice
    Another area of CMS Systems are Flat File System based CMS which I did last time not hear a lot around but there was a lot of noice in the past from Kirby CMS and Grav CMS. Instead of a database they store all there data inside files and I mostly saw more for simpler website build with it where not specific security releated user context based content where used. Source: over 3 years ago

Summary of the public mentions of Grav

Grav is often characterized as a modern, sleek, and interactive platform, drawing attention for its simplicity, flexibility, and speed. Being a flat-file CMS, it eliminates the complexity of database management, which appeals to developers looking for a lightweight yet feature-rich solution. While Grav is not as widely adopted as industry giants like WordPress, Joomla, or Drupal, those who do use it generally report a positive experience, emphasizing its suitability for content-focused projects and ease of customization.

One of Gravโ€™s standout features is its powerful API, extensive hooks, and flexible Twig templating system, allowing developers to extend functionality and apply custom designs effortlessly. The platform's ecosystem includes over 300 plugins, catering to diverse customization needs, from backend administration to enhanced functionality. Grav also offers "skeletons"โ€”pre-configured packages with sample websitesโ€”to simplify site setup, making it easier for users to get started.

The administration interface is user-friendly, which helps cater to non-technical content creators while remaining robust enough for developers. The presence of a web admin panel sets Grav apart from more developer-centric systems that rely entirely on command-line interfaces. This balance makes it an attractive option for teams comprising both developers and non-technical staff.

Grav's community, though smaller than those of larger CMS platforms, is described as active and supportive. This community aspect contributes to an easier problem-solving process, providing users with resources and guidance when required. Additionally, the combination of markdown files with YAML frontmatter is appreciated by users who prefer content versioning in Git, facilitating seamless integration with CI/CD pipelines.

Given its file-based nature, Grav is positioned as a sound alternative to static site generators like Hugo and Jekyll, offering a dynamic content management experience while still enabling users to work within version control systems. This aligns well with individuals who prefer managing content in a streamlined, efficient fashion without the overhead of a traditional database-driven CMS.

That said, Grav does have its limitations. Installation can be daunting for users unfamiliar with command-line operations or package managers like npm or Composer. This hurdle may deter the less technical audience who may gravitate towards the virtually frictionless installation processes of platforms like WordPress.

In sum, Grav occupies a unique niche within the CMS landscape, appealing to those who prioritize flexibility, speed, and simplicity. While it doesn't match the market reach of larger players, it finds favor among developers and tech-savvy users looking for a performant, customizable, and community-driven content management solution.

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Is Grav good? This is an informative page that will help you find out. Moreover, you can review and discuss Grav here. The primary details have not been verified within the last quarter, and they might be outdated. If you think we are missing something, please use the means on this page to comment or suggest changes. All reviews and comments are highly encouranged and appreciated as they help everyone in the community to make an informed choice. Please always be kind and objective when evaluating a product and sharing your opinion.