Grav
Grav is an open-source, flat-file content management system that stores site content in files rather than requiring a database.
What Grav is
Grav is an open-source, flat-file content management system that stores site content in files rather than requiring a database. Content can be written in Markdown and YAML, with support for multiple languages, editorial workflows, custom user roles, custom content types, SEO tools, and a media library. Admin 2.0 provides 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, using token authentication and permission-aware requests. Its MCP server exposes that API to AI agents under the acting user’s permissions. The Grav Package Manager installs plugins and themes, while downloads include skeleton packages. Deployment involves extracting Grav into a webroot and accessing it through a local web server. Grav 2 requires PHP 8.3 or later. The Core CMS is free under the MIT License; premium product prices vary.
Good
- No database required for content storage
- Markdown and YAML authoring
- Multilingual and editorial features
- Permission-aware REST API
- Free MIT-licensed Core CMS
Watch out
- Self-hosted deployment is required
- Grav 2 requires PHP 8.3 or later
- Premium product prices vary
- One production site per premium license
Who it suits
Grav suits people building self-hosted blogs, company sites, documentation hubs, directories, landing pages, portfolios, or product sites.
Verdict
Grav provides file-based publishing with multilingual, editorial, media, SEO, and extensibility features. Its free core and self-hosted model suit users comfortable managing their own web server and extensions.
Plans and prices
From Grav's own pricing page, checked 11 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Grav Core | Free | Core CMS · MIT License |
| Grav Premium products | — | Most licenses are one-time purchases for one production site; development and staging copies are allowed · Prices vary by product; examples shown: Helios Theme $50, YetiSearch Pro $75, and Publisher bundles $140 |
The facts
Each one read from Grav's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Admin
- Admin 2.0 is a single-page application with a customizable dashboard, collaborative editing, a code editor, and media uploads.checked 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.checked 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.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Audience
- The site describes Grav as suited to personal blogs, company sites, documentation hubs, directories, landing pages, portfolios, and product sites.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Compatibility
- Grav 2 requires PHP 8.3 or later, according to its features page.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Content
- Content can be written in Markdown and YAML, and Grav supports multiple languages.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Custom content types
- Yeschecked 22 Sep 2026
- Custom user roles
- Yeschecked 22 Sep 2026
- Deployment
- The download instructions say to extract a Grav package into a webroot and access it through a local web server.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Editorial workflows
- Yeschecked 22 Sep 2026
- Extensions
- The Grav Package Manager installs plugins and themes, and the official downloads page lists plugins, themes, and skeleton packages.checked 11 Oct 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.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Media library
- Yeschecked 22 Sep 2026
- Multilingual content
- Yeschecked 22 Sep 2026
- Product
- Grav is an open-source flat-file CMS that stores site content in files and does not require a database.checked 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.checked 11 Oct 2026
- SEO tools
- Yeschecked 22 Sep 2026
- Support
- The Grav site links to community support through its forum, Discord, and documentation, and Trilby Media offers support packages and managed hosting.checked 11 Oct 2026
The company
- Founded
- 2014checked 28 Sep 2026
Money
- Free plan
- Yeschecked 22 Sep 2026
Where it runs
- Platform type
- self_hostedchecked 22 Sep 2026
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