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Head-to-head · Git-Based CMS

Decap CMS vs Kiln

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score Decap CMS #3 in Git-Based CMS 9.1/10 Free plan · 14-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 2 of 2 features Visit Decap CMS
Kiln #9 in Git-Based CMS 8.5/10 Free plan · 7-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 2 of 2 features Visit Kiln

Decap CMS leads on 0 checks, Kiln on 0, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreDecap CMS · 9.1/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialboth

Decap CMS scores higher on our rubric for git-based cms: 9.1 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #9.

On git providers, Decap CMS gives you Multiple where Kiln offers Github. On content workflow, Kiln gives you Approval where Decap CMS offers Draft_review. On media management, Kiln gives you Advanced where Decap CMS offers Library. On deployment method, Decap CMS gives you Both where Kiln offers Git_commit.

Decap CMS is the better fit for free, flexible Git CMS projects. Kiln is the better fit for low-cost sites needing approvals and versions.

  • Decap CMS fits best

    Free, flexible Git CMS projects

  • Kiln fits best

    Low-cost sites needing approvals and versions

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Decap CMS 9.1/10 Visit ↗ Kiln 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 8.5
Ranking #3 in Git-Based CMS #9 in Git-Based CMS
Best for Free, flexible Git CMS projects Low-cost sites needing approvals and versions
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price €19/mo $4.99/site/mo
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial 14 days 7 days
Free trial length 14 days · no card needed 7 days
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms Web Web
Integrations 8 integrations 7 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features Decap CMS 2/2 · Kiln 2/2
Visual editor ✓ ✓
Live preview ✓ ✓
Specs
Git providers Multiple Github
Content workflow Draft_review Approval
Media management Library Advanced
Deployment method Both Git_commit
Hosting model Both Both
Our review
Pros
  • Free open-source core with Git-backed version history
  • Live preview, media management, and draft/review workflows
  • Supports six Git backends plus localization and plugins
  • Free forever self-hosted plan under AGPL-3.0
  • Inline editing with drafts, scheduling, approvals, and comments
  • Named versions, restore previews, and advanced media handling
Cons
  • Free plan is limited to one site and one seat
  • Advanced roles and managed infrastructure require paid tiers
  • Best suited to Git-backed static-site workflows, not every CMS project
  • Git-provider support is limited to GitHub
  • Self-hosting requires running the worker and GitHub App
  • Managed pricing is charged per site per month
Our verdict

Decap CMS is an open-source, browser-based content management system for static websites and Jamstack projects. It gives editors structured fields, rich-text editing, live preview, media uploads, localization, and draft, review, and…

Read the review →

Kiln is an open-source CMS for static websites that lets editors change text and media directly on the page. Content is stored as plain HTML or content files in a GitHub repository, and each publish is recorded as a Git commit. It is…

Read the review →
  1. Decap CMSGit-Based CMS 9.1Free plan · 14-day trial
  2. KilnGit-Based CMS 8.5Free plan · 7-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Decap CMS — where it wins

    • Free open-source core with Git-backed version history
    • Live preview, media management, and draft/review workflows
    • Supports six Git backends plus localization and plugins

    Where it doesn't

    • Free plan is limited to one site and one seat
    • Advanced roles and managed infrastructure require paid tiers
    • Best suited to Git-backed static-site workflows, not every CMS project

  • Kiln — where it wins

    • Free forever self-hosted plan under AGPL-3.0
    • Inline editing with drafts, scheduling, approvals, and comments
    • Named versions, restore previews, and advanced media handling

    Where it doesn't

    • Git-provider support is limited to GitHub
    • Self-hosting requires running the worker and GitHub App
    • Managed pricing is charged per site per month
  • Decap CMS9.1/10 · Free plan · 14-day trial

    A flexible free Git CMS for teams building and editing static-site content.

    Visit Decap CMSFull verdict →
  • Kiln8.5/10 · Free plan · 7-day trial

    A low-cost Git-based CMS with visual editing, approvals, and version control.

    Visit KilnFull verdict →

More comparisons

All Git-Based CMS comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update