October CMS vs Statamic: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between October CMS and Statamic 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 Statamic 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.
Statamic
The award-winning CMS built on Laravel, designed for developers and content teams.
Best for you if:
- • A Laravel-powered flat-file CMS for flexible content management.
- • Offers an intuitive user experience for content authors and powerful tools for developers.
| At a Glance |  October CMS |  Statamic |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | $39 per license/moSingle License | Free to use while in development/moCore |
Best For | CMS | CMS |
Rating | - | - |
Choose October CMS or Statamic?
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 Statamic if
The award-winning CMS built on Laravel, designed for developers and content teams.
- Developer-friendly with Laravel integration and flat-file architecture for version control.
- Excellent user experience for content authors with features like live preview and block editor.
- Highly customizable admin area and content structures.
| Feature | October CMS | Statamic |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| User Rating | ★4.7/5 113 reviews | ★4.8/5 21 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
Statamic
The award-winning CMS built on Laravel, designed for developers and content teams.
Strengths
- +Developer-friendly with Laravel integration and flat-file architecture for version control.
- +Excellent user experience for content authors with features like live preview and block editor.
- +Highly customizable admin area and content structures.
- +Supports advanced use cases like multi-site, multi-language, and headless implementations.
- +Offers robust security features and automated version control with Git.
Weaknesses
- -Core version only includes one admin user account, limiting team collaboration without upgrading.
- -Requires some technical knowledge due to its Laravel foundation and flat-file nature, potentially steeper learning curve for non-developers.
- -Advanced features like real-time collaboration and multi-site are only available in the paid Pro version.
Key features
Pricing: October CMS vs Statamic
| Plan | October CMS | Statamic |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Free License | Free to use while in development Core |
| Tier 2 | $39 per license Single License | Contact us Pro |
| Tier 3 | $26 per month, $312 annually Unlimited Licenses (Annually) | Contact us Enterprise |
| Tier 4 | $30 per month, $360 annually Unlimited Licenses (Monthly) | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on October CMS pricing and Statamic 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
- Larger review base (113 reviews)
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Statamic
- Higher user rating: 4.8/5 vs 4.7/5
The Bottom Line
October CMS is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is October CMS or Statamic better?
October CMS is rated in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are October CMS and Statamic used for?
October CMS: The Laravel-based CMS engineered for simplicity, designed by developers for developers.. Statamic: The award-winning CMS built on Laravel, designed for developers and content teams..
What does October CMS cost vs Statamic?
October CMS is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Statamic is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.