Comparison

ZeroCMS vs Decap CMS for Astro 2026.

Both keep your content in the repository. ZeroCMS leads on codebase footprint, AI and Astro fit. Decap CMS leads on governance and API reach.

ZeroCMS

Git-based · Cloud · From $15 / month, editors need no seat

Connect a GitHub repository and Zero reads your Astro Zod schemas and .astro components to generate the editor — no plugins, no config, nothing added to your repository. Editors work against a live preview of the real site, and every publish lands as a clean commit. An AI agent works in the editor, and eight content checks run on demand or as a pre-publish gate.

Overview

  • Astro fit
  • Codebase fit
  • Editing
  • Publishing and review
  • Governance and access
  • Git and the repository
  • APIs and extensibility
  • AI capabilities

Reviewed 1 Sep 2026 Full CMS comparison →

Git-based · Cloud or self-hosted · Free tier · from €19 / month

Decap is a single-page admin app you add to your own site at /admin, configured in a YAML file and committing straight to your Git host through an OAuth backend. It edits the Markdown and data files already in the repository, which Astro reads back through astro:content. Formerly Netlify CMS, it is community-maintained and framework-agnostic.

Overview

  • Astro fit
  • Codebase fit
  • Editing
  • Publishing and review
  • Governance and access
  • Git and the repository
  • APIs and extensibility
  • AI capabilities

Reviewed 3 Sep 2026 Full CMS comparison →

Pick ZeroCMS when

You want a CMS that adds nothing to the repository and runs content checks before anything publishes.

  • You want the CMS to leave your codebase alone
  • AI should do the routine work
  • AI agents edit the content

Pick Decap CMS when

You want a CMS that offers SAML SSO and connects to self-hosted Git.

  • The budget is zero
  • Roles, approvals and sign-in are policy
  • Other systems read and write the content

What actually differs.

Codebase fit

Code in your repository

ZeroCMS

Nothing. The editor is generated from the schemas and components already in the repository.

Decap CMS

A config file owned by the CMS, an admin route served by your own site and the content model declared a second time.

AI capabilities

AI capabilities

ZeroCMS

A built-in agent you hand tasks to, with custom skills.

Decap CMS

No built-in AI.

Governance and access

Single sign-on (SSO)

ZeroCMS

No SAML SSO yet.

Decap CMS

SAML SSO is available.

Editing

Custom field controls

ZeroCMS

No custom field controls.

Decap CMS

Custom field controls are supported.

Editing

Content checks

ZeroCMS

Eight built-in checks, custom ones written in plain language, run as a pre-publish gate.

Decap CMS

No built-in content checks.

APIs and extensibility

Extension points

ZeroCMS

AI skills.

Decap CMS

Custom fields, editor plugins and forking the source.

Astro fit

Preview output modes

ZeroCMS

Previews static and server-rendered.

Decap CMS

No preview for any output mode.

Publishing and review

Review before publish

ZeroCMS

Every change is shown as a diff before it goes live.

Decap CMS

You are told an entry changed, without being shown what.

Every aspect, side by side, in the full Astro CMS comparison →
Still not sure?

Zero adds nothing to the repository.

Decap CMS adds three things to your repository, the content model declared a second time among them. That matters if you want the repo left alone. Connect an Astro repo and see the difference in ten minutes.

Connect your repo Try the live demo

14 days free · no credit card