Masthead vs Grav: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Masthead and Grav 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: Grav wins this matchup. WordPress is our overall CMS pick. WordPress is our free CMS pick. Pick Masthead 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:
Masthead
The website defines its own CMS
Best for you if:
- • Masthead is best for websites where the person building the website isn't the person managing it
- • You want a free tier before you commit
Grav
Build faster websites with a modern open-source flat-file content management system.
Best for you if:
- • You want extremely fast due to flat-file architecture and sophisticated caching
- • You want easy to install and manage with minimal server requirements
| At a Glance | Masthead | Grav |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | $25/moEmail Office365 |
Best For | CMS | CMS |
Rating | - | - |
Free plan | Yes | No |
Choose Masthead or Grav?
Choose Masthead if
The website defines its own CMS
- Masthead is best for websites where the person building the website isn't the person managing it
- You want a free tier before you commit
Choose Grav if
Build faster websites with a modern open-source flat-file content management system.
- You want extremely fast due to flat-file architecture and sophisticated caching
- You want easy to install and manage with minimal server requirements
| Feature | Masthead | Grav |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Paid |
| User Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Categories | CMSWebsite Builders | CMSWebsite Builders |
In-Depth Analysis
Masthead
The website defines its own CMS
At $5/month, Masthead is exceptionally affordable for a CMS with custom domain, automatic TLS, and collaborator support.
Key features
Grav
Build faster websites with a modern open-source flat-file content management system.
Grav's pricing model is entirely based on individual premium plugins, which can quickly become expensive.
Strengths
- +Extremely fast due to flat-file architecture and sophisticated caching.
- +Easy to install and manage with minimal server requirements.
- +Highly flexible and extensible through plugins and themes.
- +Excellent documentation and active community support.
- +SEO-friendly with human-readable URLs and metadata options.
Weaknesses
- -May require some technical understanding for advanced customization.
- -Reliance on file-based structure might be less familiar for users accustomed to database-driven CMS.
- -While extensible, core features are intentionally kept minimal, requiring plugins for some functionalities.
Key features
Pricing: Masthead vs Grav
| Plan | Masthead | Grav |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | 5 month Paid | $75 AI Translate |
| Tier 2 | N/A | $75 AI Pro |
| Tier 3 | N/A | $75 Editor Pro |
| Tier 4 | N/A | $75 Comments Pro |
| Tier 5 | N/A | $50 Revisions Pro |
| Tier 6 | N/A | $30 Polls |
| Tier 7 | N/A | $25 Email Office365 |
| Tier 8 | N/A | $50 Image Optimize |
| Tier 9 | N/A | $50 Typhoon Theme |
| Tier 10 | N/A | $50 Downloads Pro |
| Tier 11 | N/A | $75 SEO Magic |
| Tier 12 | N/A | $100 Algolia Pro |
| Tier 13 | N/A | $50 Cloudflare Manager |
| Tier 14 | N/A | $25 Lightbox Gallery |
| Tier 15 | N/A | $30 Site Toolbox |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Masthead pricing and Grav pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Masthead has a free tier. Grav is paid only.
Go with: Masthead
Want the highest-rated option?
Neither has ratings yet.
Too early to call on ratings — compare on features and pricing.
Value user reviews?
Neither has ratings yet.
Too early to call — neither has ratings yet.
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Masthead is freemium. Grav is paid. Masthead lets you start free.
What's your use case?
Both are cms tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Neither has ratings yet.
Key Takeaways
Grav
- Our pick for this comparison
Masthead
- Has a free tier
The Bottom Line
Grav wins this matchup. WordPress is our overall CMS pick. WordPress is our free CMS pick. Masthead has a free tier if you want to test without paying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Masthead or Grav better?
Grav is rated in our evaluation. Masthead is freemium and Grav is paid.
What are Masthead and Grav used for?
Masthead: The website defines its own CMS. Grav: Build faster websites with a modern open-source flat-file content management system..
What does Masthead cost vs Grav?
Masthead is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Grav is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.