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Jekyll vs WordPress: What are the differences?
Introduction
Jekyll and WordPress are two popular platforms used to build websites and blogs. While both can be used for similar purposes, they have some key differences that set them apart.
Language and Structure: Jekyll is a static site generator that uses Markdown or HTML for content creation and Liquid for its templating language. It converts the source files into static HTML pages that can be deployed to a web server. WordPress, on the other hand, is a dynamic content management system (CMS) that uses PHP and a MySQL database. It allows users to create and manage content through a user-friendly interface.
Hosting: Jekyll generates static HTML files, which can be hosted on any web server or even on platforms like GitHub Pages, Netlify, or Amazon S3. With WordPress, hosting is typically done on a dedicated server or a hosting provider that supports PHP and MySQL. This requires more server resources, configuration, and maintenance compared to hosting static files.
Customization: Jekyll offers a high level of customization as it allows developers to create their own layouts, templates, and styles using HTML, CSS, and Liquid. It provides more control over the design and functionality of the website. WordPress, on the other hand, offers a wide range of themes and plugins that can be easily installed and customized through the admin interface. It requires less coding knowledge for customization but may have limitations compared to Jekyll.
Security and Updates: Jekyll's static nature makes it inherently more secure compared to WordPress. Since there is no database or server-side scripting involved, there are fewer vulnerabilities and attack vectors. WordPress, being a dynamic CMS, may require regular updates and maintenance to ensure security. It can be more susceptible to hacking attempts if not properly secured or kept up to date.
Ease of Use: WordPress is known for its user-friendly interface and ease of use. It provides a WYSIWYG editor, drag-and-drop functionality, and intuitive admin interface, making it accessible for non-technical users. Jekyll, on the other hand, requires more technical knowledge as it involves working with command-line tools, writing code, and understanding the file structure.
Performance: Jekyll's static files load faster than dynamic pages generated by WordPress, as there is no need for database queries or server-side processing. This makes Jekyll a better choice for websites that prioritize speed and performance. However, WordPress can also be optimized for performance with caching plugins and other optimizations.
In Summary, Jekyll is a static site generator that requires more technical knowledge but offers greater customization and security, while WordPress is a dynamic CMS that is user-friendly and provides a wide range of themes and plugins.
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.
So many choices for CMSs these days. So then what do you choose if speed, security and customization are key? Headless for one. Consuming your own APIs for content is absolute key. It makes designing pages in the front-end a breeze. Leaving Ghost and Cockpit. If I then looked at the footprint and impact on server load, Cockpit definitely wins that battle.
10 Years ago I have started to check more about the online sphere and I have decided to make a website. There were a few CMS available at that time like WordPress or Joomla that you can use to have your website. At that point, I have decided to use WordPress as it was the easiest and I am glad I have made a good decision. Now WordPress is the most used CMS. Later I have created also a site about WordPress: https://www.wpdoze.com
I've heard that I have the ability to write well, at times. When it flows, it flows. I decided to start blogging in 2013 on Blogger. I started a company and joined BizPark with the Microsoft Azure allotment. I created a WordPress blog and did a migration at some point. A lot happened in the time after that migration but I stopped coding and changed cities during tumultuous times that taught me many lessons concerning mental health and productivity. I eventually graduated from BizSpark and outgrew the credit allotment. That killed the WordPress blog.
I blogged about writing again on the existing Blogger blog but it didn't feel right. I looked at a few options where I wouldn't have to worry about hosting cost indefinitely and Jekyll stood out with GitHub Pages. The Importer was fairly straightforward for the existing blog posts.
Todo * Set up redirects for all posts on blogger. The URI format is different so a complete redirect wouldn't work. Although, there may be something in Jekyll that could manage the redirects. I did notice the old URLs were stored in the front matter. I'm working on a command-line Ruby gem for the current plan. * I did find some of the lost WordPress posts on archive.org that I downloaded with the waybackmachinedownloader. I think I might write an importer for that. * I still have a few Disqus comment threads to map
Pros of Jekyll
- Github pages integration74
- Open source54
- It's slick, customisable and hackerish37
- Easy to deploy24
- Straightforward cms for the hacker mindset23
- Gitlab pages integration7
- Best for blogging5
- Low maintenance2
- Easy to integrate localization2
- Huge plugins ecosystem1
- Authoring freedom and simplicity1
Pros of WordPress
- Customizable415
- Easy to manage366
- Plugins & themes354
- Non-tech colleagues can update website content258
- Really powerful247
- Rapid website development145
- Best documentation78
- Codex51
- Product feature set44
- Custom/internal social network35
- Open source18
- Great for all types of websites8
- Huge install and user base7
- Perfect example of user collaboration5
- Open Source Community5
- Most websites make use of it5
- It's simple and easy to use by any novice5
- Best5
- I like it like I like a kick in the groin5
- Community4
- API-based CMS4
- Easy To use3
- <a href="https://secure.wphackedhel">Easy Beginner</a>2
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Cons of Jekyll
- Build time increases exponentially as site grows4
- Lack of developments lately2
- Og doesn't work with postings dynamically1
Cons of WordPress
- Hard to keep up-to-date if you customize things13
- Plugins are of mixed quality13
- Not best backend UI10
- Complex Organization2
- Do not cover all the basics in the core1
- Great Security1
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