πŸ“¦

Astro

VS
πŸ“¦

Craft CMS

Astro vs Craft CMS

Astro vs Craft CMS: which is right for your project? Astro is content-focused framework that ships zero javascript by default. Craft CMS is developer-focused php cms with elegant content modeling. We compare features, performance, and pricing.

Start Migration

TL;DR β€” Our Recommendation

Astro wins overall, but Craft CMS is better for agencies building bespoke sites with complex content requirements. Choose Astro for Content-heavy websites that need maximum performance with minimal JavaScript. Choose Craft CMS for Agencies building bespoke sites with complex content requirements.

Official docs: Astro Documentation

Feature by Feature Comparison

FeatureAstroCraft CMS
Ease of Use
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Performance
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Flexibility
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Cost Value
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Scalability
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ecosystem
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Pros & Cons

Astro

Pros

  • Ships zero JS to the client by default (Islands Architecture)
  • Use React, Vue, Svelte, or any framework in the same project
  • Content collections with type-safe Markdown/MDX
  • Purpose-built for content sites β€” blogs, docs, marketing pages

Cons

  • Not ideal for highly interactive apps (designed for content sites)
  • Smaller ecosystem than Next.js β€” fewer integrations available
  • SSR support is newer and less battle-tested
  • Island architecture requires thinking differently about interactivity

Craft CMS

Pros

  • Excellent content modeling β€” build any structure without plugins
  • Beautiful, intuitive admin panel that editors love
  • First-class GraphQL and Element API for headless use
  • Matrix fields enable flexible, reusable content blocks

Cons

  • Smaller ecosystem β€” fewer plugins than WordPress or Drupal
  • License costs for multi-user projects
  • Requires PHP/MySQL hosting infrastructure
  • Fewer community resources and tutorials available

Platform Details

DetailAstroCraft CMS
Language / Stack
JavaScript/TypeScript (framework-agnostic)PHP (Yii framework)
Type
frameworktraditional cms
Pricing
Free (open-source)Free solo / $35+/mo for teams
Open Source
YesNo
Best For
Content-heavy websites that need maximum performance with minimal JavaScriptAgencies building bespoke sites with complex content requirements
Export Method
N/A (destination framework)Element API or GraphQL endpoint

When to Choose Each Platform

Choose Astro if…

  • You need content-heavy websites that need maximum performance with minimal javascript
  • Your team is comfortable with JavaScript/TypeScript (framework-agnostic)
  • You want an open-source solution with full code ownership
  • Budget is a top priority β€” free (open-source)
  • You want a low learning curve for non-technical team members
  • You want maximum performance with static or server-rendered pages

Choose Craft CMS if…

  • You need agencies building bespoke sites with complex content requirements
  • Your team is comfortable with PHP (Yii framework)

Which Should You Pick?

The right choice between Astro and Craft CMS depends on three things: your team's technical skills, your project timeline, and your long-term content strategy.

These platforms take fundamentally different approaches. Astro is a framework built with JavaScript/TypeScript (framework-agnostic), while Craft CMS is a traditional cms built with PHP (Yii framework). That architectural difference shapes everything from daily content editing workflows to deployment and hosting costs. If your team includes non-developers who need to publish content frequently, Craft CMS's familiar editing interface may save you onboarding time.

From a cost perspective, Astro is open-source (Free (open-source)), while Craft CMS (Free solo / $35+/mo for teams) carries ongoing license costs. Factor in plugin or extension costs, developer rates for each tech stack, and whether you need managed hosting or can self-host.

Whichever you choose, migrating between them is straightforward. LeaveWP offers a free Craft CMS β†’ Astro migration tool that preserves your URLs, metadata, and content structure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Astro better than Craft CMS?
Astro scores higher overall (25/30 vs 19/30) thanks to better performance. However, Craft CMS is the better choice for Agencies building bespoke sites with complex content requirements.
Can I migrate from Astro to Craft CMS?
Yes. Export your Astro content via N/A (destination framework), then import it into Craft CMS. LeaveWP can help automate this process while preserving your SEO metadata and URL structure.
What are the main differences between Astro and Craft CMS?
Astro is content-focused framework that ships zero javascript by default, while Craft CMS is developer-focused php cms with elegant content modeling. Key differences: ease of use (Astro: 4/5, Craft CMS: 3/5), pricing (Free (open-source) vs Free solo / $35+/mo for teams), and ecosystem size (Astro: 3/5, Craft CMS: 2/5).
How much does Astro cost compared to Craft CMS?
Astro: Free (open-source). Craft CMS: Free solo / $35+/mo for teams. Astro is open-source and free to self-host, while Craft CMS is a paid platform.
Which is easier to learn, Astro or Craft CMS?
Astro is easier to pick up (4/5 vs 3/5). Ships zero JS to the client by default (Islands Architecture). Craft CMS has a steeper learning curve, especially for teams new to PHP (Yii framework).
Which performs better, Astro or Craft CMS?
Astro has the performance edge (5/5 vs 3/5). As a framework, Astro pre-renders pages for near-instant load times. Craft CMS may require additional optimization for high-traffic sites.

Related Comparisons

Explore more comparisons featuring Astro or Craft CMS

Astro vs Craft CMS Guides

In-depth guides and tutorials to help with your migration

Ready to Migrate?

Move your content between Astro, Craft CMS, and 60+ other platforms with our free migration tool.

Start Free Migration