Freedom251 › Content Management Systems
Grav
by Grav
What Grav is
Grav is a free, open-source flat-file CMS that stores site content in files rather than requiring a database. Content can be written in Markdown and YAML, and the system supports multiple languages, editorial workflows, custom user roles and content types, SEO tools, and a media library. Admin 2.0 offers a customizable dashboard, collaborative editing, a code editor, and media uploads.
Grav 2 adds a versioned REST API for pages, media, users, plugins, themes, and configuration. Its requests use token authentication and respect permissions. An included MCP server lets AI agents access that API using the permissions of the account they act for. Plugins, themes, and skeleton packages are available through the official downloads page, and the Grav Package Manager installs plugins and themes. Deployment involves extracting a package into a webroot and accessing it through a local web server. Grav 2 requires PHP 8.3 or later. The Core CMS costs nothing under the MIT License. Premium product prices vary; most licenses are one-time purchases for one production site, with staging and development copies allowed.
Who it suits
Grav suits people building personal blogs, company sites, documentation hubs, directories, landing pages, portfolios, or product sites. Its self-hosted approach and content tools are relevant to those managing their own web publishing setup.
What it does well
- Core CMS is free under the MIT License.
- Content is stored in files without a database.
- Supports multilingual content and custom content types.
- Admin 2.0 includes collaborative editing and media uploads.
- Grav 2 provides a permission-aware REST API.
What to know first
- Grav 2 requires PHP 8.3 or later.
- Deployment requires a local web server.
- Premium product prices vary.
- A Premium license key covers one production site.
Limits
The Core CMS plan is free. Most Grav Premium product licenses cover one production site, though staging and development environments for that site may use the same key.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Grav Core | Core CMS · MIT License | Free |
| Grav Premium products | Prices vary by product; examples shown: Helios Theme $50, YetiSearch Pro $75, and Publisher bundles $140 · Most licenses are one-time purchases for one production site; development and staging copies are allowed | On request |
As getgrav.org lists them, read 11 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Download a Grav package from the official site.
- Extract the package into a webroot.
- Access the installation through a local web server.
- Use the Grav Package Manager to install plugins or themes as needed.
- For Grav 2, use a server with PHP 8.3 or later.
Verdict
Grav offers a database-free CMS with content, editorial, and administrative tools, plus an API in Grav 2. Its free core is self-hosted, and the newer version has a PHP 8.3-or-later requirement.
Questions
Is Grav free?
The Core CMS costs nothing and is licensed under MIT. Grav also offers Premium products with prices that vary by product.
What does Grav cost for Premium products?
Prices vary by product. Examples shown are Helios Theme at $50, YetiSearch Pro at $75, and Publisher bundles at $140; most licenses are one-time purchases.
Which platforms does Grav support?
Grav is listed for API, Linux, self-hosted, and web platforms.
Is Grav open source?
Yes. The Core CMS is under the MIT License.
What does Grav 2 require?
Grav 2 requires PHP 8.3 or later.
How can I get support?
The Grav site links to its forum, Discord, and documentation. Trilby Media offers support packages and managed hosting.
Facts from Grav's own pages
- Admin
- Admin 2.0 is a single-page application with a customizable dashboard, collaborative editing, a code editor, and media uploads. · getgrav.org, 11 Oct 2026
- AI integration
- Grav 2 includes an MCP server that exposes the API to AI agents using the permissions of the user account they act for. · getgrav.org, 11 Oct 2026
- API
- Grav 2 provides a versioned REST API for pages, media, users, plugins, themes, and configuration, with token authentication and permission-aware requests. · getgrav.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Audience
- The site describes Grav as suited to personal blogs, company sites, documentation hubs, directories, landing pages, portfolios, and product sites. · getgrav.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Compatibility
- Grav 2 requires PHP 8.3 or later, according to its features page. · getgrav.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Content
- Content can be written in Markdown and YAML, and Grav supports multiple languages. · getgrav.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Custom content types
- Yes · getgrav.org, 22 Sept 2026
- Custom user roles
- Yes · getgrav.org, 22 Sept 2026
- Deployment
- The download instructions say to extract a Grav package into a webroot and access it through a local web server. · getgrav.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Editorial workflows
- Yes · getgrav.org, 22 Sept 2026
- Extensions
- The Grav Package Manager installs plugins and themes, and the official downloads page lists plugins, themes, and skeleton packages. · getgrav.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Founded
- 2014 · getgrav.org, 28 Sept 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · getgrav.org, 22 Sept 2026
- License limit
- A Grav Premium product license key covers one production site; staging and development environments for that site may use the same key. · getgrav.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Media library
- Yes · getgrav.org, 22 Sept 2026
- Multilingual content
- Yes · getgrav.org, 22 Sept 2026
- Platform type
- self_hosted · getgrav.org, 22 Sept 2026
- Product
- Grav is an open-source flat-file CMS that stores site content in files and does not require a database. · getgrav.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Security
- Grav describes its security approach as including modern PHP hardening and a permission-aware API; the documentation provides security guidance and a way to report issues. · getgrav.org, 11 Oct 2026
- SEO tools
- Yes · getgrav.org, 22 Sept 2026
- Support
- The Grav site links to community support through its forum, Discord, and documentation, and Trilby Media offers support packages and managed hosting. · getgrav.org, 11 Oct 2026
Where Grav stands on Freedom251
- Content Management Systems#19 of 165
- Website Development tools#4 of 30