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GrapesJS
Open-source web builder framework for no-code HTML templates
Free web builder framework for creating HTML templates without coding. Drag-and-drop interface with blocks, style manager, and asset management for websites, newsletters, and mobile apps.
Overview
Build HTML Templates Without Code
GrapesJS is a web builder framework designed to accelerate template creation for websites, newsletters, and mobile apps. Originally built for CMS integration, it enables developers to embed a visual editor that empowers non-technical users to build dynamic templates through an intuitive drag-and-drop interface.
Core Capabilities
The framework provides a complete visual editing environment with block-based composition, a style manager for CSS customization, layer management for component hierarchy, and integrated asset management. Built-in code viewing lets users inspect and export clean HTML/CSS. Local and remote storage options ensure templates persist across sessions.
Extensibility and Integration
With TypeScript at its core and a robust plugin ecosystem, GrapesJS adapts to diverse use cases. Official plugins extend functionality for forms, flexbox layouts, custom fonts, and specialized builders like MJML for responsive emails. A React wrapper enables declarative UI customization. The framework outputs standard HTML/CSS structures that integrate seamlessly with existing template systems, making it ideal for developers building content management platforms, marketing tools, or any application requiring user-friendly template editing.
Highlights
Drag-and-drop block system with visual component composition
Built-in style manager, layer manager, and asset management
Extensible plugin architecture with official and community extensions
Clean HTML/CSS output with local and remote storage options
Pros
- Framework approach allows deep customization and embedding
- Active ecosystem with 20+ official plugins and community support
- No vendor lock-in—outputs standard HTML and CSS
- TypeScript codebase with comprehensive API documentation
Considerations
- Requires JavaScript development skills to integrate and customize
- Learning curve for advanced plugin development and API usage
- Framework nature means more setup than turnkey solutions
- UI customization demands additional development effort
Managed products teams compare with
When teams consider GrapesJS, these hosted platforms usually appear on the same shortlist.
Looking for a hosted option? These are the services engineering teams benchmark against before choosing open source.
Fit guide
Great for
- Developers embedding visual editors in CMS or SaaS platforms
- Teams building custom page builders for marketing applications
- Projects requiring template creation for newsletters or landing pages
- Applications needing extensible, white-label editing capabilities
Not ideal when
- Non-developers seeking ready-to-use standalone website builders
- Projects requiring zero-configuration deployment
- Teams without JavaScript/TypeScript development resources
- Use cases needing enterprise support and managed hosting
How teams use it
CMS Template Builder
Embed visual editing in content management systems so editors create page layouts without developer intervention
Email Newsletter Designer
Enable marketing teams to design responsive email templates using MJML components with live preview
SaaS Landing Page Editor
Provide customers white-label page building capabilities within multi-tenant applications
Marketing Automation Platform
Let users design campaign assets and landing pages directly in workflow tools with custom block libraries
Tech snapshot
TypeScript91%
JavaScript6%
SCSS3%
HTML1%
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between GrapesJS and the Studio SDK?
GrapesJS is the open-source framework requiring integration work. Studio SDK is a commercial ready-to-use editor with team support for faster embedding in applications.
Can GrapesJS be used as a standalone website builder?
No, GrapesJS is a framework meant to be embedded in other applications like CMS platforms. It requires development work to integrate and deploy.
Does GrapesJS require a backend server?
The framework works client-side but supports local and remote storage. You can implement custom storage backends using plugins like IndexedDB or Firestore wrappers.
How do I extend GrapesJS with custom blocks or components?
Use the plugin API to register custom blocks, components, and commands. The documentation and official plugins provide examples for creating extensions.
What output does GrapesJS generate?
GrapesJS outputs clean HTML structure and CSS styles that integrate with template systems. The code viewer lets users inspect and export generated markup.
Project at a glance
Active- Stars
- 25,408
- Watchers
- 25,408
- Forks
- 4,533
Repo age10 years old
Last commitlast month
Primary languageTypeScript
Last synced 3 hours ago