Top 5 CMSs for Jekyll: Which one should you choose?

Jekyll is a go-to static site generator (SSG) for developers who love speed, simplicity, and full control over their projects. However, managing content in Jekyll isn't always straightforward, especially if you're working with a team or want a more user-friendly way to handle updates. That's where a CMS can help.

Instead of spending hours searching for the right tool, we've put together a list of five CMSs that work well with Jekyll: Hygraph, Strapi, Decap CMS (formerly Netlify CMS), CloudCannon, and Siteleaf. Each CMS offers something different, whether it's Git-based content management, a headless API-driven approach, or a visual editor tailored for Jekyll.

This isn't about ranking one above the other. It's about giving you a solid starting point so you can explore, test, and find the best fit for your needs.

#What to consider when choosing a CMS for Jekyll

Jekyll is great because it keeps things simple: write Markdown, push to Git, and deploy. But adding a CMS introduces another layer to the workflow, so you need to choose one that fits how you work, rather than fighting against it.

From experience, here are the key things to think about before picking a CMS for Jekyll:

1. Git-based vs. headless CMS: What's your preference?

This is the first big decision. Git-based CMSs (like Decap CMS and CloudCannon) store content directly in your repository as Markdown files. This is great if you want to keep everything version-controlled and deploy automatically when content changes. But if your team isn't comfortable using Git, this can become a bottleneck.

Headless CMSs (like Hygraph and Strapi), on the other hand, manage content separately and expose it through an API. This means Jekyll pulls in data at build time, giving you structured content that isn't tied to Git commits. This setup is ideal if you want to manage content dynamically, connect multiple frontends, or allow non-technical users to update content without touching the repo.

If your project is mostly static and developer-led, Git-based is a safe bet. If you need more flexibility or a user-friendly interface, a headless CMS is the better choice.

2. Who will be managing content?

If it's just you or a team of developers, a Git-based CMS might be enough, as you can edit Markdown files directly or through a simple UI. But if content editors, marketers, or non-technical users need to be involved, you'll want a CMS that makes their lives easier.

Headless CMSs have more intuitive dashboards, permissions, and workflow features that make collaboration smoother. Some Git-based options (like CloudCannon and Siteleaf) also offer editor-friendly interfaces while still syncing with Git, so you get the best of both worlds.

3. Hosting and maintenance: Do you want fully managed or self-hosted?

Some CMSs are fully managed: you just sign up, connect your Jekyll project, and start managing content. Hygraph, Siteleaf, and CloudCannon fall into this category, making them great if you want a hassle-free setup.

Others (like Strapi) require self-hosting, meaning you'll need to handle server setup, database management, and security updates. This gives you full control but also means more maintenance.

If you're running a small Jekyll site or don't want to deal with infrastructure, go with a fully managed CMS. If you need deep customization and don't mind the extra work, self-hosted can be powerful.

4. How flexible do you need your CMS to be?

Jekyll is static at its core, but some projects need dynamic content. A headless CMS gives you structured content models, API endpoints, and integration options that can be used across different platforms. Not just Jekyll!

If all you need is basic Markdown management, a Git-based CMS works fine. But if you're thinking long-term and might want to use the same CMS for other frontends (like a React app), a headless option like Hygraph or Strapi makes more sense.

5. How easy is it to integrate with your workflow?

A CMS shouldn't disrupt how you already work. If you use Git for everything, a Git-based CMS will fit right in. If you prefer API-driven content, make sure the CMS has solid Jekyll integration or supports webhooks for triggering builds.

Some CMSs (like Hygraph) offer GraphQL APIs, which make fetching content easier and more efficient. Others rely on REST APIs or direct Git commits. Think about how you want to pull in content and whether the CMS supports your preferred build and deployment workflow.

#Top 5 CMSs for Jekyll

Now that we've covered what to consider, let's explore five CMSs that have proven to work well with Jekyll. These platforms have been tested, reviewed, and widely adopted by developers looking for a better way to manage content in their Jekyll projects.

Here's what each CMS offers and why you might want to use it.

1. Hygraph

Hygraph stands out as a headless CMS built with a GraphQL-first approach. This makes it a powerful content management solution for Jekyll users who want more than Markdown files in a Git repo.

If you've ever struggled with manually structuring content in Jekyll, you can be sure that a headless CMS like Hygraph will feel like a breath of fresh air.

The Hygraph Content API makes content querying intuitive, even if you're new to GraphQL, because it mirrors the content structure you define. This means no clunky workarounds or complex filtering; you get exactly what you need, when you need it.

Below are some key features of Hygraph:

• GraphQL-powered API for precise and efficient content querying
• Webhooks for automated Jekyll builds and instant content updates
• Structured content modeling with custom types and relationships
• Localization for seamless management of multi-language content with fallback support
• Advanced asset transformations to easily generate thumbnails and manipulate media at query time
• Content stages for managing draft and published versions with rollback options

Pros:

• GraphQL support makes querying content efficient
• Scalable without performance slowdowns as content grows
• No Git conflicts, as editors don't need to push commits
• Great for dynamic content with structured data relationships
• Robust developer tooling and detailed documentation.

Cons:

• Requires API fetching during builds instead of direct Git storage
• Not ideal for small Markdown-only sites
• Advanced features require a paid plan

Hygraph offers a free Hobby plan with 2 locales, 3 seats, unlimited asset storage, and live preview features, making it easy to get started without any upfront cost. The team has also created an integrations page that walks you through how Hygraph works with Jekyll.

If you're happy managing Markdown files in Git and don't need structured content, a Git-based CMS might be enough. But if you want a scalable, API-driven CMS that integrates smoothly with Jekyll, Hygraph is a game-changer. It simplifies content management, removes Git-related headaches, and makes it easy to scale beyond just a static site.

2. Strapi

Strapi is a self-hosted headless CMS that gives developers full control over content storage, APIs, and infrastructure. Unlike fully managed CMSs that handle hosting and scaling for you, Strapi requires setting up your own environment, but in return, you get complete ownership of your data. If you want an API-driven way to manage content in Jekyll without relying on Git commits, Strapi is a solid option.

Because Strapi is self-hosted, it requires setup and maintenance, which isn't possible for everyone. If you'd rather not worry about infrastructure, a fully managed option like Hygraph might be a better fit. But if you enjoy having full control and customizing your CMS as needed, Strapi gives you that freedom.

The key features of Strapi includes:

• Supports both REST and GraphQL APIs, making it easy to query content efficiently.
• Flexible content modeling, allowing you to create custom fields and relationships.
• Role-based access control for managing different user permissions.
• Plugin system for extending functionality, giving you more customization options.
• Works with multiple databases, including PostgreSQL, MySQL, and SQLite.

Pros:

• Full control over your content and hosting.
• No API request limits when self-hosting.
• Customizable with plugins and open-source flexibility.
• Can serve multiple frontends, not just Jekyll.
• Strong community and active development.

Cons:

• Requires manual setup and ongoing maintenance.
• Hosting costs depend on your own infrastructure.
• Not as beginner-friendly as managed CMSs.

If you like full control over your CMS and don't mind the setup, Strapi is a great option. But if you prefer a simpler, managed approach, other CMSs on this list might better suit your needs.

3. Decap CMS (formerly Netlify CMS)

Decap CMS is an open-source Git-based CMS that provides a simple UI for managing content in Jekyll without requiring a database or external backend. If you want a lightweight solution that keeps everything in version control while allowing easy content updates, Decap CMS is a solid option.

Previously known as Netlify CMS, the project was transferred to an independent agency partner in 2023 to ensure continued maintenance and development. While Netlify no longer maintains it, the CMS remains actively supported by the community and continues to work seamlessly with Jekyll.

Because Decap CMS stores all content as Markdown files in your Git repository, it integrates naturally with Jekyll's static workflow. This means that every content update is committed directly to Git, allowing for automatic deployments and version control. If you're already comfortable with Git and just need a UI to edit content, Decap CMS is one of the easiest ways to enhance your Jekyll workflow.

However, because everything is stored as Markdown, it lacks structured content modeling. If your project requires relationships between content types, localization, or an API-driven approach, you might find a headless CMS like Hygraph or Strapi more suitable.

Here are some key features of Decap CMS:

• Git-based CMS that commits content directly to your repository.
• Works with GitHub, GitLab, and Bitbucket.
• Provides a simple UI for editing Markdown files, posts, and media.
• No external database, meaning everything remains static and version-controlled.
• Fully open-source and community-driven.

Pros:

• No additional infrastructure as content stays in Git.
• Lightweight, free, and easy to set up.
• Keeps Jekyll's static workflow intact.
• Open-source with an active community.

Cons:

• Limited flexibility - Markdown-based storage isn't ideal for structured content.
• No API for dynamic content fetching.
• Best suited for developers, as non-technical users may struggle with Git-based workflows.

If you want to set up Decap CMS with Jekyll, their official documentation provides a step-by-step guide on integration, configuration, and usage. You can find it here: Decap CMS for Jekyll.

4. CloudCannon

CloudCannon is a Git-based CMS that brings a visual editing experience to static site generators like Jekyll, Hugo, Next.js, and Eleventy.

Unlike generic Git-based CMSs, CloudCannon is designed to work seamlessly with Jekyll, providing an easy-to-use editor, live previews, and automated builds while keeping all content under version control.

For Jekyll users, CloudCannon offers one of the best editing experiences available. Instead of manually updating Markdown files, content editors can use a visual editor to modify pages in real time. It also syncs directly with GitHub, GitLab, and Bitbucket, ensuring that all content updates remain in version control.

CloudCannon isn’t just about editing — it also handles Jekyll builds and deployments, so you don't have to set up a separate CI/CD pipeline. Whether you're managing a small blog or a full-scale documentation site, CloudCannon provides a developer-friendly workflow while making content editing intuitive for non-technical users.

Here are some key features:

• Live visual editor with real-time previews.
• Built-in Jekyll support with automated builds and deployments.
• Git-based workflow that syncs with GitHub, GitLab, and Bitbucket.
• Collaboration tools for teams, including role-based access control.
• Customizable editing experience using Jekyll templates.

Pros:

• Designed to work seamlessly with Jekyll.
• Live preview lets content editors see changes before publishing.
• Fully managed hosting and build process.
• Works with existing Git workflows, keeping everything version-controlled.
• Supports multi-user teams with role-based permissions.

Cons:

• Paid service - no fully free tier beyond the trial.
• Requires CloudCannon hosting unless self-hosting is configured.
• Best suited for professional Jekyll projects rather than small personal blogs.

If you're looking for a CMS that makes Jekyll more editor-friendly, CloudCannon is a strong option. However, it is not free. The pricing starts at $49 per month, which is worth it considering all you get. For small projects where budget is a concern, a free Git-based CMS like Decap CMS might be a better fit.

CloudCannon also has a Jekyll Cheatsheet - an exhaustive list of variables, tags, and filters to help you work with Jekyll more efficiently. You can check it out.

5. Siteleaf

Siteleaf is a Git-powered CMS designed to make content management easier for Jekyll users and static site developers. It provides a clean, user-friendly interface for editing Markdown files, managing collections, and handling structured data while keeping everything under version control.

Unlike Decap CMS, which is strictly Git-based, Siteleaf adds a headless API and built-in publishing options, making it more flexible for different workflows.

One of Siteleaf's biggest strengths is its tight integration with Jekyll. It allows you to edit content online or locally, sync changes with GitHub and Bitbucket, and even preview content before publishing. This makes it a great option for teams that want a more editor-friendly approach while keeping the power and flexibility of Jekyll's ecosystem.

Beyond just content editing, Siteleaf also provides built-in hosting and publishing options, allowing you to deploy directly to Amazon S3, GitHub Pages, or an FTP server. For developers who want to go beyond traditional Jekyll workflows, Siteleaf even offers a headless API, making it possible to use your content with other frontends.

Some key features are:

• Git-based CMS with direct integration for GitHub and Bitbucket.
• Live previews to review changes before publishing.
• Visual and Markdown editor, giving users the choice of how to write content.
• Data management for handling Jekyll's YAML and JSON files.
• Publishing flexibility, allowing deployment to S3, GitHub Pages, FTP, and SFTP.
• Headless API for accessing content programmatically.
• Jekyll plugin support, including third-party and GitHub Pages-approved plugins.

Pros:

• Keeps content in Git while providing an easy-to-use UI for editors.
• Live preview before publishing content updates.
• Works seamlessly with Jekyll's existing workflow.
• Supports multi-user collaboration with role-based permissions.
• More flexible than other Git-based CMSs thanks to its publishing options and API.

Cons:

• Paid service, as there's no fully free plan beyond the developer trial.
• No real-time visual editing like CloudCannon.
• Not as structured as a headless CMS - Markdown-based storage can be limiting for complex content models.

For developers who love Jekyll but want a more editor-friendly content management workflow, Siteleaf is a great alternative to purely Git-based CMSs. The headless API, GitHub integration, and flexible publishing options make it one of the most versatile CMSs for Jekyll.

#Now it's your turn to decide

Each of these CMSs brings something different to the table, and the best choice depends on how you like to manage content in Jekyll.

If you prefer keeping everything in Git, Decap CMS or Siteleaf might be your best bet. If you want a fully managed experience with live previews, CloudCannon is a strong option. And if you're looking for a powerful API-first approach, Hygraph or Strapi give you the flexibility to scale beyond just static sites.

No matter which CMS you choose, the key is finding one that fits into your workflow rather than disrupting it. The good thing is that many of these tools offer free tiers or trials, so you can test them out and see what works best for your project.

If you're looking for an API-driven, flexible CMS built for scale, Hygraph's Jekyll integration is worth exploring.