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Head-to-head · Git-Based CMS

TinaCMS vs Kiln

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score TinaCMS #5 in Git-Based CMS 8.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 2 features Visit TinaCMS
Kiln #9 in Git-Based CMS 8.5/10 Free plan · 7-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 2 of 2 features Visit Kiln

TinaCMS leads on 0 checks, Kiln on 1, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreTinaCMS · 8.9/10
  • Lowest starting priceKiln · $4.99/site/mo
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialonly Kiln

TinaCMS scores higher on our rubric for git-based cms: 8.9 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #9.

Kiln is cheaper to start at $4.99/mo against $24/mo. On content workflow, TinaCMS gives you Branching where Kiln offers Approval. On media management, Kiln gives you Advanced where TinaCMS offers Library.

TinaCMS is the better fit for visual Git CMS teams using frameworks. Kiln is the better fit for low-cost sites needing approvals and versions.

  • TinaCMS fits best

    Visual Git CMS teams using frameworks

  • 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 TinaCMS 8.9/10 Visit ↗ Kiln 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.9 8.5
Ranking #5 in Git-Based CMS #9 in Git-Based CMS
Best for Visual Git CMS teams using frameworks Low-cost sites needing approvals and versions
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $24/mo $4.99/site/mo (best)
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — 7 days
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms Web Web
Integrations 7 integrations 7 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features TinaCMS 2/2 · Kiln 2/2
Visual editor ✓ ✓
Live preview ✓ ✓
Specs
Git providers Github Github
Content workflow Branching Approval
Media management Library Advanced
Deployment method Git_commit Git_commit
Hosting model Both Both
Our review
Pros
  • Visual editing with real-time site updates
  • Branch-based drafts and pull requests for review
  • Supports GitHub, GraphQL, media libraries, and self-hosting
  • 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 2 users and 2 roles
  • Business API access is marked Beta
  • Advanced workflow and access options require paid tiers
  • 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

TinaCMS is an open-source, Git-backed headless CMS for developers building websites and documentation with content teams. It manages Markdown, MDX, and JSON files through Git while providing an editor interface, visual editing, real-time…

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. TinaCMSGit-Based CMS 8.9Free plan
  2. KilnGit-Based CMS 8.5Free plan · 7-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • TinaCMS — where it wins

    • Visual editing with real-time site updates
    • Branch-based drafts and pull requests for review
    • Supports GitHub, GraphQL, media libraries, and self-hosting

    Where it doesn't

    • Free plan is limited to 2 users and 2 roles
    • Business API access is marked Beta
    • Advanced workflow and access options require paid tiers

  • 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
  • TinaCMS8.9/10 · Free plan

    A visual Git CMS for framework-based teams managing Markdown, MDX, and JSON.

    Visit TinaCMSFull 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