A Grav 1.x to Grav 2 migration is a separate process.
Existing sites should assess the migration instructions and plugin or theme compatibility before planning an upgrade.
Evidence source ↗
Grav
Grav is an open-source, flat-file CMS that stores content in files rather than a database. Grav 2 adds a REST API, an administrative interface, and an MCP server.
Editorial overview
Aggregated Overview
Grav provides file-based content, a plugin and theme ecosystem, and, in version 2, a REST API and administrative interface. The core is free; paid add-ons and optional services have separate costs. Public review evidence found was limited to one G2 review, so sentiment and support scores have low co
This profile combines documented product information and independent evidence where available. It is not a hands-on test unless TechZella explicitly identifies one.
Grav Decision Snapshot
A quick way to understand who this product may suit, where its limits matter, and which facts are most relevant before you compare alternatives.
Best suited to
Developers and technical publishing teams that want a self-hosted CMS with Markdown content stored as files, Git-based workflows, and optional API-driven or headless publishing.
Look elsewhere if
Teams seeking a hosted CMS with vendor-managed infrastructure by default, or those unable to maintain a PHP 8.3-or-newer environment for Grav 2.
Platforms
API, Cloud, PHP, Self-hosted, Web
TechZella assessment
7.6/10
Overview
Grav is an open-source CMS that stores site content in files instead of a database. Its project history dates the original idea to 2014 and the first stable release to September 2015.
Grav 2.0 became stable on June 20, 2026. It adds a first-party REST API, a rebuilt admin interface, and an MCP server. The file-based CMS model remains central, while the API supports headless and automated workflows.
Grav is suited to teams comfortable managing a PHP-based website. It can be installed on a web server, and Trilby Media also advertises managed hosting.
Grav — What Sets It Apart?
These are the product-specific differences that may matter when deciding whether the software fits your workflow. They are based on documented evidence rather than a universal ranking.
- The core CMS stores content in files and does not require a database.
- Grav 2 provides a first-party REST API used by its administrative interface and available to external clients.
- The project documents an MCP server alongside its CMS and API.
7 key claims verifiedOur editorial team checked this profile against vendor documentation, product documentation, pricing information. Supported by 6 documented sources.
Grav Pros & Cons
Pros
- The CMS core is free and open source.
- Core content storage does not require a database.
- Grav 2 provides a first-party REST API for headless and automated workflows.
- Plugins, themes, and a package manager provide extension options.
- Content is stored in files that can be managed with Git.
Cons
- Grav 2 requires PHP 8.3 or later.
- Self-hosting requires a suitable web-server environment and ongoing operational management.
- Moving from Grav 1.x to Grav 2.0 requires a dedicated migration.
- Premium components have separate costs and site-specific licensing terms.
Grav Gotchas & Operational Limits
These are documented constraints or practical friction points that may matter before you adopt the product.
The PHP runtime requirement for Grav 2 is PHP 8.3 or later.
A buyer must confirm that the intended hosting environment supports the required PHP version.
Evidence source ↗Premium plugins and themes require the free License Manager plugin, and a standard premium license covers one production site.
Teams deploying the same paid component on multiple production sites should review licensing before purchase.
Evidence source ↗Grav Pricing & Plans
Grav CMS core
$0
free
Free and open-source CMS core. Hosting and any separately purchased premium components are not included.
Check current pricing →Helios theme
$50
one-time
Premium Grav theme; the official product page lists this price.
Check current pricing →Helios Publisher bundle
$140
one-time
Bundle listed with Helios, Editor Pro, and Revisions Pro.
Check current pricing →Pricing may change. Verify current plans on the vendor's website.
Grav Features
Content management
- File-based content storage
- Markdown content workflows
- Admin interface
- Themes and plugins
API and integrations
- First-party REST API in Grav 2
- Plugin-extensible API
- MCP server
Developer workflow
- Git-compatible file-based content
- Grav Package Manager
- Dedicated migration path from Grav 1.x to Grav 2.0
Alternatives
Grav is a fit for buyers who want a file-based, self-hostable CMS. No sufficiently researched product-to-product comparison is included here; buyers should compare hosting responsibilities, content storage, API requirements, and migration needs when evaluating other CMS options.
Demo & Screenshots
Grav Specifications
| License | MIT |
|---|---|
| Content storage | Flat files; database not required by the core |
| PHP requirement | PHP 8.3 or later for Grav 2 |
| API | First-party REST API in Grav 2 |
| Deployment | Self-hosted; managed hosting is also advertised by Trilby Media |
| Free trial | No trial offer verified; CMS core is free |
Deployment & System Footprint
Verified installation, hosting, administration, or environment details that can affect implementation.
| Installation or hosting | Download and install Grav on a web server, or use the managed hosting service advertised by Trilby Media. Source ↗ |
|---|---|
| Runtime | Grav 2 requires PHP 8.3 or later. Source ↗ |
| Content storage | The CMS core stores content in files and does not require a database. Source ↗ |
Migration & Lock-In
Documented portability, standards, export, or switching considerations. No switching-cost score is shown unless the evidence supports one.
Major-version upgrade
The project provides a dedicated migration path for Grav 1.x sites moving to Grav 2.0; the usual self-upgrade command does not complete that major-version migration.
Evidence source ↗Content portability
Grav describes its content as files that can be version-controlled with Git. That supports file-based content workflows, but does not itself verify a complete migration process to another CMS.
Evidence source ↗Our evidence-based assessment
TechZella Score
A proprietary editorial score based on product capabilities, usability, value, performance, support and user sentiment evidence.
7.6/10Moderate confidence
Grav provides file-based content, a plugin and theme ecosystem, and, in version 2, a REST API and administrative interface. The core is free; paid add-ons and optional services have separate costs. Public review evidence found was limited to one G2 review, so sentiment and support scores have low confidence.
Methodology v1.0. The assessment weighs feature coverage (25%), ease of use (15%), value for money (20%), performance (15%), support (10%) and user sentiment (15%), using researched product evidence and verified review evidence where available. It is a TechZella editorial assessment, not a direct user-review average.
Editorial transparency
Our Review Methodology
Key claims are linked to the sources used to verify them. This evidence record is separate from third-party user ratings.
TechZella evaluates software using documented product capabilities, pricing information, usability and value considerations, independent user evidence where available, and competitive context. The assessment is an editorial review, not a hands-on test unless one is explicitly identified. Our editorial assessment is based on 6 documented sources.
What TechZella adds
- The core CMS stores content in files and does not require a database.
- Grav 2 provides a first-party REST API used by its administrative interface and available to external clients.
- The project documents an MCP server alongside its CMS and API.
Important limitations
- Grav 2 requires PHP 8.3 or later, which may rule out older hosting environments.
- Moving from Grav 1.x to 2.0 requires a dedicated migration rather than a standard in-place self-upgrade.
- The core is self-hosted software; hosting and routine operations are separate responsibilities unless a managed hosting service is chosen.
Evidence-backed claimsGrav is a free, open-source flat-file CMS. Grav 2 introduced a first-party REST API, a rebuilt admin interface, and an MCP server. Grav 2 requires PHP 8.3 or later. Grav's REST API provides access to content, media, configuration, users, and system management. The Grav project dates its origins to 2014 and its first stable release to September 2015. Grav 2.0 reached stable release on June 20, 2026. Premium components are licensed for one production site per license.
The official About page describes Grav as open source, says it does not require a database, and states that Grav is free.
View source ↗Verified 2026-10-12The official product overview describes these Grav 2 components and identifies the API as the interface used by the admin.
View source ↗Verified 2026-10-12The project repository lists PHP 8.3 or higher among its requirements.
View source ↗Verified 2026-10-12The Grav API documentation describes these resources and identifies headless clients as a use case.
View source ↗Verified 2026-10-12The official project history identifies 2014 as the idea's origin and September 2015 as the Grav 1.0 stable release.
View source ↗Verified 2026-10-12The official release announcement is dated June 20, 2026, and announces Grav 2.0 stable.
View source ↗Verified 2026-10-12The published Grav Premium standard license states that a license is intended for one production site, with associated development, testing, and staging environments permitted.
View source ↗Verified 2026-10-12Community feedback
Reviews
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FAQ
Is Grav free? The CMS core is free and open source. Premium themes and plugins are sold separately.
Does Grav require a database? The core CMS uses file-based content and does not require a database.
Does Grav have an API? Grav 2 includes a first-party REST API for headless clients and other integrations.
What does Grav 2 require? The project lists PHP 8.3 or later as a requirement.
Is there a free trial? No trial offer was verified. The core is available free, while premium components are sold separately.
Can Grav 1.x sites upgrade directly to Grav 2? The project documents a dedicated migration process; its standard self-upgrade command does not cross the 1.x-to-2.0 boundary.
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