Comparison

ZeroCMS vs Sanity for Astro 2026.

ZeroCMS keeps your content in the repository. Sanity moves it into a hosted store with an API. ZeroCMS leads on codebase footprint, Astro fit and AI. Sanity leads on API reach, editing and publishing.

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 — Not compared
  • APIs and extensibility
  • AI capabilities

Reviewed 1 Sep 2026 Full CMS comparison →

Headless · Cloud · From $15 / seat / month

Sanity pairs an open-source, code-configured editing Studio with a hosted content store reached over APIs. Content lives in Sanity's cloud rather than your repository, and Astro fetches it at build or request time through the client. The Studio's schema, written in JavaScript, is the content model, and the free tier gives way to usage-based pricing as a project grows.

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Overview

  • Astro fit
  • Codebase fit
  • Editing
  • Publishing and review
  • Governance and access
  • Git and the repository — Not compared
  • 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
  • You're building a docs site on Starlight
  • You're building a marketing site on Astro

Pick Sanity when

You want a CMS that takes editorial comments in place and schedules a publish.

  • Other systems read and write the content
  • You're modelling an ecommerce catalogue
  • Procurement and security review are in the loop

What actually differs.

Codebase fit

Code in your repository

ZeroCMS

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

Sanity

A dependency, a config file owned by the CMS, an integration in your Astro config, an admin route served by your own site, the content model declared a second time, fetching and rendering code you maintain, and credentials the repo and deploy carry.

AI capabilities

Model choice

ZeroCMS

You choose the model.

Sanity

The vendor picks the model.

APIs and extensibility

REST API

ZeroCMS

No HTTP API. The content is files in the repository, and that is the interface.

Sanity

A full HTTP API, reads and writes, for any consumer.

Editing

Custom field controls

ZeroCMS

No custom field controls.

Sanity

Custom field controls are supported.

Publishing and review

Scheduled publishing

ZeroCMS

No scheduled publishing.

Sanity

A publish can be scheduled.

Editing

Editorial comments

ZeroCMS

No comments.

Sanity

Threads on fields, resolved in the editor.

Astro fit

Content loading

ZeroCMS

As the files Astro's content collections already read. The repository is the backup.

Sanity

Fetched through the vendor's SDK at build or request time.

Cost, licence and compliance

Customer-specific plans

ZeroCMS

Plans for agencies.

Sanity

Plans for startups, non-profits and enterprise.

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

Zero adds nothing to the repository.

Sanity adds seven 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