Grav
Grav — power and flexibility
Grav is one of the most mature and feature-rich Flat File CMS platforms available. Built in PHP, it stores content in Markdown files with YAML front matter and uses the Twig templating engine. Grav positions itself as a serious alternative to WordPress for developers who want power without the database overhead.
Key features
Grav's feature set is impressively deep. The built-in Package Manager (GPM) lets you install themes and plugins from the command line or admin panel. The system supports over 100 community plugins covering everything from SEO and sitemaps to image galleries, forms, and e-commerce. Content is written in Markdown with support for custom shortcodes. The Twig templating engine provides clean, powerful themes. Multi-language content is built in — you can create content in multiple languages natively. Grav also includes a robust media handling system, flexible taxonomy, and smart caching that makes pages load fast.
Admin panel
Grav's admin panel is available as an official plugin (Admin Plugin). It provides a modern, responsive interface for managing pages, configuring the system, installing plugins and themes, and editing content. The editor supports live preview, media management, and YAML configuration. While capable, the admin panel exposes a lot of options that can feel overwhelming for non-technical users. It's designed for people who understand what they're configuring.
Content management
Content is organized in a folder structure — each page is a folder containing a Markdown file and any associated media. This makes the content structure visible and logical on the file system. You can create any page hierarchy, and Grav supports multiple page types (default, blog, modular). Routing is automatic based on folder structure, but fully customizable.
Pros
Extremely powerful and flexible. Large plugin and theme ecosystem. Active community and solid documentation. Built-in multi-language support for content. Modern architecture with smart caching. Command-line tools for power users. Free and open source (MIT license).
Cons
Steeper learning curve than simpler alternatives. Admin panel can be overwhelming for beginners. Twig templating requires learning if you're new to it. Plugin quality varies — some are abandoned or poorly maintained. Overkill for simple 5-page business sites. Server requirements slightly higher than lighter systems.
Pricing
Free and open source under the MIT license. No paid tiers, no premium features locked behind a paywall. All features are available to everyone. Cost is limited to hosting.
Best for
Developers and technically comfortable users who want a powerful, extensible Flat File CMS. Teams that need multi-language content support. Projects where flexibility and plugin availability matter more than simplicity.