Craft CMS vs Wagtail: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Craft CMS and Wagtail 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 wins this matchup. Our overall CMS pick is WordPress. Our free CMS pick is WordPress. Pick Wagtail if you need a fully free option.
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:
- • You want highly flexible and customizable for various project needs
- • You want excellent content authoring experience with intuitive interface and live preview
Wagtail
The leading open-source Python CMS for content management at enterprise scale.
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Craft CMS requires payment)
- • You want open-source with no licensing fees
- • You want highly flexible for developers due to Python/Django foundation
| At a Glance | Craft CMS | Wagtail |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | CMS | CMS |
Rating | 4.4/5 | 4.4/5 |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Craft CMS or Wagtail?
Choose Craft CMS if
Empower your creative process with a flexible and customizable content management system.
- You want highly flexible and customizable for various project needs
- You want excellent content authoring experience with intuitive interface and live preview
Choose Wagtail if
The leading open-source Python CMS for content management at enterprise scale.
- You want a fully free tool (Craft CMS requires payment)
- You want open-source with no licensing fees
- You want highly flexible for developers due to Python/Django foundation
| Feature | Craft CMS | Wagtail |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Free |
| User Rating | ★4.4/5 70 reviews | ★4.4/5 51 reviews |
| Categories | CMSHeadless CMS | CMSWriting & Content |
In-Depth Analysis
Craft CMS
Empower your creative process with a flexible and customizable content management system.
Craft CMS offers a fair pricing structure, especially with its generous free Solo tier for individual developers.
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
Wagtail
The leading open-source Python CMS for content management at enterprise scale.
Strengths
- +Open-source with no licensing fees
- +Highly flexible for developers due to Python/Django foundation
- +Empowers editors with creative control and intuitive interface
- +Strong focus on accessibility with built-in tools
- +Scalable and secure, trusted by major organizations
Weaknesses
- -Requires Python/Django knowledge for full customization and development
- -May have a learning curve for non-developers compared to simpler CMS platforms
Key features
Pricing: Craft CMS vs Wagtail
| Plan | Craft CMS | Wagtail |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free forever Solo | N/A |
| Tier 2 | $279 per project Team | N/A |
| Tier 3 | $399 per project Pro | N/A |
| Tier 4 | Contact us Enterprise | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Craft CMS pricing and Wagtail pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Wagtail is free. Craft CMS is freemium.
Go with: Wagtail
Want the highest-rated option?
Craft CMS: 4.4/5 (70 reviews). Wagtail: 4.4/5 (51 reviews).
Go with: Craft CMS
Value user reviews?
Craft CMS: 70 reviews (4.4/5). Wagtail: 51 reviews (4.4/5).
Go with: Craft CMS
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Craft CMS is freemium. Wagtail is free. Go with Wagtail if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Both are cms tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Both are rated 4.4/5.
Key Takeaways
Craft CMS
- Larger review base (70 reviews)
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Wagtail
- Completely free
The Bottom Line
Craft CMS wins this matchup. Our overall CMS pick is WordPress. Our free CMS pick is WordPress. That said, Wagtail is free, hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Craft CMS or Wagtail better?
Craft CMS is rated in our evaluation. Craft CMS is freemium and Wagtail is free.
What are Craft CMS and Wagtail used for?
Craft CMS: Empower your creative process with a flexible and customizable content management system.. Wagtail: The leading open-source Python CMS for content management at enterprise scale..
What does Craft CMS cost vs Wagtail?
Craft CMS is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Wagtail is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.