Need advice about which tool to choose?Ask the StackShare community!
11ty vs Hugo: What are the differences?
Introduction
In this Markdown code for a website, we will be discussing the key differences between 11ty and Hugo, two popular static site generators.
Template Language: One major difference between 11ty and Hugo is the template language they use. 11ty utilizes JavaScript as its primary templating language, allowing developers to leverage the full power and flexibility of JavaScript for dynamic content generation. On the other hand, Hugo uses its own template language called Go templates, which is less powerful than JavaScript but provides a simpler syntax for static site generation.
Language Support: Another key difference is the range of languages supported by each static site generator. 11ty has broad language support and can handle various programming languages, including JavaScript, TypeScript, and HTML, making it versatile for different projects. In contrast, Hugo is primarily focused on supporting the Go programming language, limiting its usage to developers proficient in Go.
Ease of Use: Ease of use is a differentiating factor between 11ty and Hugo. 11ty offers a more beginner-friendly approach with minimal configuration required and a simple project setup. Its simplicity and intuitive documentation make it accessible for developers of all skill levels. On the other hand, Hugo has a steeper learning curve, especially for those unfamiliar with the Go programming language. It requires more configuration and setup, making it better suited for experienced developers.
Performance: Performance is an essential aspect when choosing a static site generator. Both 11ty and Hugo are known for their fast build times, but Hugo generally outperforms 11ty in terms of speed. Hugo's compilation speed is significantly faster due to its simplified template language and efficient caching mechanism. However, the choice between the two generators should also consider other factors and project requirements beyond just performance.
Community and Ecosystem: The size and activity of the community surrounding a static site generator can greatly impact its development and support. 11ty has a smaller but growing community compared to Hugo. While this may result in fewer community-made plugins and themes, 11ty's community is known for its helpfulness and developer-friendly atmosphere. On the other hand, Hugo benefits from its large and established community, offering a wider range of plugins, themes, and resources for developers to utilize.
Customization Flexibility: The level of customization flexibility also varies between 11ty and Hugo. 11ty allows developers to easily extend and customize their website through JavaScript, providing a high degree of flexibility. On the other hand, Hugo has a more opinionated structure and limited extensibility options, making it less customizable compared to 11ty.
In summary, the key differences between 11ty and Hugo lie in their template languages, language support, ease of use, performance, community and ecosystem, and customization flexibility. These factors should be carefully considered based on project requirements when selecting the most suitable static site generator.
As a Frontend Developer I wanted something simple to generate static websites with technology I am familiar with. GatsbyJS was in the stack I am familiar with, does not need any other languages / package managers and allows quick content deployment in pure HTML
or Markdown
(what you prefer for a project). It also does not require you to understand a theming engine if you need a custom design.
Pros of 11ty
- Flexibility on choosing template4
- Great use of data files/sources3
- Flexible, allows progressive conversion of templates3
- Content decoupled as much as possible from Eleventy3
- Zero boilerplate client-side JavaScript2
Pros of Hugo
- Lightning fast47
- Single Executable29
- Easy setup26
- Great development community24
- Open source23
- Write in golang13
- Not HTML only - JSON, RSS8
- Hacker mindset8
- LiveReload built in7
- Gitlab pages integration4
- Easy to customize themes4
- Very fast builds4
- Well documented3
- Fast builds3
- Easy to learn3
Sign up to add or upvote prosMake informed product decisions
Cons of 11ty
Cons of Hugo
- No Plugins/Extensions4
- Template syntax not friendly2
- Quick builds1