Craft CMS vs October CMS: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Craft CMS and October CMS comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: Craft CMS is our overall pick for CMS workflows. Pick October CMS if you need a free tier to start with.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Craft CMS
Empower your creative process with a flexible and customizable content management system.
Best for you if:
- • A flexible and customizable CMS for content creation, design, and e-commerce.
- • Offers a user-friendly interface for content authors and a powerful GraphQL API for developers.
October CMS
The Laravel-based CMS engineered for simplicity, designed by developers for developers.
Best for you if:
- • A self-hosted CMS built on the Laravel PHP framework.
- • Designed for developers and agencies to build websites and complex applications with simplicity.
| At a Glance |  Craft CMS |  October CMS |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | CMS | CMS |
Rating | 4.2/5 | 4.7/5 |
Choose Craft CMS or October CMS?
Choose Craft CMS if
Empower your creative process with a flexible and customizable content management system.
- Highly flexible and customizable for various project needs
- Excellent content authoring experience with intuitive interface and live preview
- Strong developer features including GraphQL API and Twig templating
Choose October CMS if
The Laravel-based CMS engineered for simplicity, designed by developers for developers.
- Leverages the power and popularity of the Laravel framework.
- Simple and intuitive for both developers and non-technical users.
- Highly flexible and extensible with a rich plugin ecosystem.
| Feature | Craft CMS | October CMS |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| User Rating | ★4.2/5 82 reviews | ★4.7/5 113 reviews |
| Categories | CMSHeadless CMS | CMSDeveloper Tools |
In-Depth Analysis
Craft CMS
Empower your creative process with a flexible and customizable content management system.
Strengths
- +Highly flexible and customizable for various project needs
- +Excellent content authoring experience with intuitive interface and live preview
- +Strong developer features including GraphQL API and Twig templating
- +Robust multi-site and localization capabilities
- +Active and supportive community with extensive plugin ecosystem
Weaknesses
- -Self-hosted versions require ongoing update fees after the first year
- -Team and Pro versions can be costly for smaller projects if not hosted on Craft Cloud
- -Learning curve for developers new to Twig or GraphQL if not already familiar
Key features
October CMS
The Laravel-based CMS engineered for simplicity, designed by developers for developers.
Strengths
- +Leverages the power and popularity of the Laravel framework.
- +Simple and intuitive for both developers and non-technical users.
- +Highly flexible and extensible with a rich plugin ecosystem.
- +Perpetual license model means websites continue to function even if updates are not renewed.
- +Facilitates rapid development and efficient code reuse.
Weaknesses
- -Requires a license for production use after the first free year.
- -Annual subscription needed for continued access to updates and Marketplace.
- -Self-hosted nature might require more technical setup compared to SaaS CMS solutions.
Key features
Pricing: Craft CMS vs October CMS
| Plan | Craft CMS | October CMS |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free forever Solo | Free Free License |
| Tier 2 | $279 per project Team | $39 per license Single License |
| Tier 3 | $399 per project Pro | $26 per month, $312 annually Unlimited Licenses (Annually) |
| Tier 4 | Contact us Enterprise | $30 per month, $360 annually Unlimited Licenses (Monthly) |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Craft CMS pricing and October CMS pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Craft CMS
Want the highest-rated option?
Craft CMS: 4.2/5 (82 reviews). October CMS: 4.7/5 (113 reviews).
Go with: October CMS
Value user reviews?
Craft CMS: 82 reviews (4.2/5). October CMS: 113 reviews (4.7/5).
Go with: October CMS
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are freemium. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Both are cms tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
October CMS is rated higher: 4.7/5 vs 4.2/5.
Key Takeaways
Craft CMS
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
October CMS
- Higher user rating: 4.7/5 vs 4.2/5
- Larger review base (113 reviews)
The Bottom Line
Craft CMS is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Craft CMS or October CMS better?
Craft CMS is rated in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Craft CMS and October CMS used for?
Craft CMS: Empower your creative process with a flexible and customizable content management system.. October CMS: The Laravel-based CMS engineered for simplicity, designed by developers for developers..
What does Craft CMS cost vs October CMS?
Craft CMS is freemium (free tier + paid plans). October CMS is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.