Statamic or Craft CMS, an honest comparison
Statamic vs Craft CMS: which is right for your project?
Statamic and Craft CMS are both modern PHP CMS platforms. A CMS, or content management system, is the tool your team uses to edit the website. Both aim at developers and editors who want something better than WordPress. The difference comes down to how complex your content is and how your team likes to work.
Or talk to me now07968 311978
- Choose Statamic for simple hosting with no database
- Choose Statamic if every change goes live through Git, the tool that tracks code changes
- Choose Craft CMS for complex, linked content
- Choose Craft CMS for large editing teams and big sites
- Choose Craft CMS for a wider choice of plugins
Two platforms targeting the same market
Statamic and Craft CMS are both modern PHP CMS platforms, built for developers who want something more carefully made than WordPress. Both have clean editing screens, code that developers enjoy working with and active communities.
The core difference is technical. Statamic stores content as flat files by default. That means each page lives in a plain text file next to the code, not in a database. Craft uses a database. This matters for hosting, for putting changes live and for handling content at scale.
I work on both platforms. This comparison comes from that experience.
How they compare
Content modelling
Content modelling means how each type of page and its fields are set up. Craft's Matrix fields and links between entries handle complex, structured content better. Statamic's Bard and Replicator fields, which let editors stack blocks, cover most needs and are simpler to set up.
Storage
Statamic uses flat files by default. Pages live in YAML and Markdown files, two simple text formats. Craft uses a MySQL or PostgreSQL database. Statamic can use a database if needed.
Git deployment
Git is the tool developers use to track every change to the code. Statamic pages go live through Git with no extra tools, because a content change is just a file change. Craft needs extra tools to work the same way.
Hosting cost
Statamic's flat files mean no database server is needed. Standard PHP hosting is enough. Craft needs one, which adds work and cost to hosting.
Licensing
Statamic is free for personal use. Business sites with teams need Statamic Pro. Craft has a free Solo licence, and teams need Craft Pro. Both charge an ongoing licence fee at the business level.
Community
Craft has a larger developer community and a more established range of plugins. Statamic's community is growing and its core team is quick to respond.
When to choose Statamic
Choose Statamic when content that goes live through Git matters to how you work. Treating each edit as a file change suits development teams who use Git for everything.
Statamic also suits sites whose content is fairly simple. Marketing sites, editorial sites and brochure sites with clear page types all work well.
Pick Statamic when you want simple hosting. A flat-file CMS on standard PHP hosting is cheaper and easier to move than a site tied to a database.
It is also the right call when Antlers, Statamic's own template language, and its add-ons fit your team's skills.
When to choose Craft CMS
Choose Craft when your content is complex and closely linked. Matrix blocks, links between entries and searches that cut across many kinds of entry are where its database pays off.
Craft also suits large editorial teams who need to search, filter and sort content in clever ways. Its database gives you more power here than Statamic's flat files.
Pick Craft when you need a wider choice of plugins. Its plugin store is more established than Statamic's.
It is also the better fit when a site holds so much that flat files would get unwieldy. Sites with thousands of entries are easier to manage in a database.
Common questions
What is Statamic?
Statamic is a modern PHP CMS built on Laravel, a popular PHP framework. By default it saves content as plain text files, not in a database. That makes it cheap to run and easy to track in Git. Editors get a clean control panel to manage pages.
Is Statamic better than Craft CMS?
Neither wins in every case. Statamic is better when flat files, Git and simple hosting matter. Craft is better for complex linked content, large editorial teams and sites that need powerful searches. The right choice depends on the site.
Can you migrate from Craft to Statamic?
Yes, though it needs careful planning. Craft content has to be exported and mapped to Statamic's flat-file format. Links between entries have to be set up again in Statamic. It can be done, but it is not small. The usual reason is simpler hosting or a move to a Git workflow.
Which is easier to host?
Statamic's flat-file default is easier and cheaper to host. Standard PHP hosting works, with no database needed. Craft needs a database server, which adds a layer of set-up. Both run fine on a VPS, which is a private server you rent, or on managed hosting.
Which has better plugin support?
Craft has a more established set of plugins. Statamic's add-ons are growing but there are fewer. For most standard needs, both have enough. For very specific links to other systems, you may find more ready-made options for Craft.
Which is more expensive?
Both charge licence fees at the business level. The amounts change over time, so check the current prices on each platform's own site. Running Statamic usually costs less, thanks to its flat files. Craft's licence gives you access to a wider range of plugins.
Already running Statamic or Craft CMS?
I fix, upgrade and look after Statamic and Craft CMS sites that other people built. You get a look first, then a fixed price in writing. See Statamic support, Craft CMS support and maintenance or all services. Weighing Craft against WordPress instead? Read Craft CMS vs WordPress.
Describe the problem
Tell me what is wrong. Every message comes straight to me.
Prefer the phone or email?07968 311978[email protected]