October CMS vs Craft CMS: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between October CMS and Craft 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: October CMS is our overall pick for cms workflows. Pick Craft 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:
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.
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.
| At a Glance |  October CMS |  Craft CMS |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | $39 per license/moSingle License | Free forever/moSolo |
Best For | CMS | CMS |
Rating | - | - |
Choose October CMS or Craft CMS?
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.
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
| Feature | October CMS | Craft CMS |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| User Rating | ★4.7/5 113 reviews | ★4.2/5 82 reviews |
| Categories | CMSDeveloper Tools | CMSHeadless CMS |
In-Depth Analysis
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
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
Pricing: October CMS vs Craft CMS
| Plan | October CMS | Craft CMS |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Free License | Free forever Solo |
| Tier 2 | $39 per license Single License | $279 per project Team |
| Tier 3 | $26 per month, $312 annually Unlimited Licenses (Annually) | $399 per project Pro |
| Tier 4 | $30 per month, $360 annually Unlimited Licenses (Monthly) | Contact us Enterprise |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on October CMS pricing and Craft CMS pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: October CMS
Want the highest-rated option?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: October CMS
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
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?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Key Takeaways
October CMS
- Higher user rating: 4.7/5 vs 4.2/5
- Larger review base (113 reviews)
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Craft CMS
- Choose if you want empower your creative process with a flexible and customizable content management system
The Bottom Line
October CMS is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is October CMS or Craft CMS better?
October CMS is rated in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are October CMS and Craft CMS used for?
October CMS: The Laravel-based CMS engineered for simplicity, designed by developers for developers.. Craft CMS: Empower your creative process with a flexible and customizable content management system..
What does October CMS cost vs Craft CMS?
October CMS is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Craft CMS is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.