Grav is an open source flat-file CMS built in PHP that stores content as Markdown files rather than in a database. It was created by Andy Miller, a Joomla co-founder and RocketTheme founder, first released in 2014 and reaching its 1.0 stable milestone in November 2015.
Grav has no outside investors; it is developed and commercially supported by Trilby Media LLC, which sells premium themes and plugins on top of a core CMS that remains free under the MIT License.
Key Features
Grav 2.x runs on PHP 8.3+, Symfony 7 and Twig 3, storing content as Git-friendly Markdown files with YAML frontmatter, fully portable without any database migration.
It ships the Admin 2.0 SvelteKit-based dashboard with real-time collaborative editing, the Grav Package Manager and CLI console, built-in multi-language support, automatic image optimization, and even a Model Context Protocol server for AI agent access.
Pricing
The Grav core CMS, admin panel and package manager are completely free to download, self-host and use on unlimited sites under the MIT License.
Trilby Media generates revenue through optional premium themes, such as the Helios theme around 50 dollars, and bundled packages around 200 dollars that include lifetime updates and support.
Key Features
Flat-File, Database-Free Architecture — Content and configuration are stored as plain text and Markdown files instead of a database.
Git-Friendly Markdown Content — Version control all content and configuration directly in Git using Markdown files with YAML frontmatter.
Admin 2.0 Dashboard — A SvelteKit-based single-page admin interface with real-time collaborative editing.
Grav Package Manager and CLI Console — Install and update themes and plugins from the command line without manual file management.
First-Party REST API and MCP Server — Headless content access plus a Model Context Protocol server for AI agent integration.
Built-In Multi-Language Support — Native internationalization for building multi-language sites.
Automatic Image Optimization — A pipeline that handles resizing, cropping and format conversion automatically.
Extensive Plugin and Theme Marketplace — A wide range of free and premium plugins and themes for blogs, portfolios and documentation sites.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Completely free, open source core under the permissive MIT License
No database to install, secure or migrate; content is portable plain-text files
Native Git version control for all content and configuration
Modern, fast admin interface with real-time collaborative editing
Cons
Smaller plugin and theme ecosystem than WordPress
Flat-file architecture can be less efficient than a database for very large sites
Premium themes and advanced search require additional paid purchases
Requires more technical comfort with Git, the CLI and YAML than typical point-and-click site builders
Pricing
Open Source Core Free N/A
Premium Themes From around $50 per theme One-time
Premium Bundles Around $200 One-time
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Grav free?
Yes, the Grav core CMS is free and open source under the MIT License.
Does Grav use a database?
No, Grav is a flat-file CMS that stores content as Markdown files with YAML frontmatter instead of a database.
Can I version control a Grav site with Git?
Yes, Grav is designed natively for Git-based workflows since all content lives as plain text files.
Who created Grav?
Grav was created by Andy Miller, a Joomla co-founder and founder of the theme studio RocketTheme.
Does Grav have an admin panel?
Yes, the Admin 2.0 single-page application dashboard provides a full graphical editing interface.
Are there premium Grav themes?
Yes, Trilby Media sells premium themes and plugin bundles, with individual themes starting around 50 dollars.