Eleventy vs. Astro
By SW Habitation
Eleventy
Astro
Have you ever been to a website that loads super fast? Chances are it uses an SSG (Static Site Generator). It’s a tool that builds your site ahead of time, so when someone visits, they get the page instantly. No waiting around for things to load it’s just there.
What is Eleventy ?
Eleventy is a static site generator that takes your content whether it’s Markdown, HTML, or other template languages and compiles it into static HTML files.
Unlike some other SSGs, Eleventy doesn’t lock you into a specific front-end framework, giving you the freedom to structure your project however you like. It’s designed to be simple, flexible, and fast, making it a favorite among web developers who appreciate minimalism.
Key Features of Eleventy
- Community Support: Growing community with tons of plugins and resources.
- Great for SEO: Generates static HTML, making your site search engine-friendly.
- Multiple Template Languages: Supports Markdown, Nunjucks, Liquid, Pug, and more.
- Fast Builds: Optimized for performance with lightning-fast build times.
- Simple Configuration: No complex setup — just a simple .eleventy.js config file.
- Flexible Data Handling: Use front matter, JSON, or JavaScript to handle data.
- No JavaScript Framework Required: Works with plain HTML and CSS if you prefer.
Advantages of Eleventy
- Lightweight: No heavy dependencies or boilerplate code.
- Fast and SEO-Friendly: Static HTML means quick load times and great SEO.
- Simplicity: No need to overthink just build.
- Ideal for Content-Driven Sites: Perfect for blogs, portfolios, and documentation.
- Flexible Content: Use different templating languages in one project.
Disadvantages of Eleventy
- Limited Out-of-the-Box Features: Requires plugins for things like image optimisation or RSS feeds.
- Minimal Abstractions: No built-in state management — you handle everything yourself.
- Learning Curve: Understanding its flexibility takes a bit of time.
What is Astro?
Astro is a modern Static Site Generator that focuses on delivering faster websites by sending as little javaScript as possible.
Unlike traditional javaScript frameworks, Astro renders pages at build time, creating static HTML that gets served directly to users.
One of its standout features is the island architecture, which lets you selectively hydrate only the parts of the page that need interactivity means you only load javaScript when it’s absolutely necessary.
Key Features of Astro
- Markdown & MDX Support: Write content with ease using Markdown or MDX.
- Zero JavaScript by Default: No javaScript is sends to the client unless absolutely needed.
- SEO-Friendly: Built-in optimisations like automatic sitemap generation.
- Component Agnostic: Supports React, Vue, Svelte, and more — all in the same project!
- SSR Support: Optional server-side rendering if needed.
- Island Architecture: Load JavaScript only for interactive components.
- Fast Build Times: Optimised for super-fast builds, even for large websites.
Advantages of Astro
- Great for Content-Driven Sites: Perfect for blogs, documentation, and portfolios.
- Developer-Friendly: Clean syntax and great tooling make development a breeze.
- Minimal Setup: Simple config with automatic optimisations.
- Flexible and Versatile: Use multiple frameworks in one project.
- Blazing Fast Performance: Less javaScript means faster load times.
Disadvantages of Astro
- Limited Dynamic Content: Out of the box, it’s more static-focused. Dynamic content needs extra handling.
- Newer Ecosystem: Fewer plugins and community resources compared to older SSGs.
- Learning Curve: Island architecture might take some time to get used to.
Comparison Between Eleventy vs Astro
Use Cases of Eleventy
- Personal Blogs and Portfolios: Simple content-focused sites.
- SEO-Friendly Sites: Static HTML means better indexing by search engines.
- Documentation Sites: Great for organising and presenting technical documentation.
- Minimalist Projects: Ideal when you want full control with minimal abstraction.
Use Cases of Astro
- SEO-Focused Projects: Ships with built-in SEO optimisations.
- Content-Heavy Sites: Blogs, marketing sites, and documentation hubs.
- Multi-Framework Projects: Mix and match React, Vue, and Svelte in one codebase.
- Developers Seeking Speed: Fast build times and minimal runtime JavaScript.
Conclusion
Static Site Generators are a big game changer if you’re looking to build a website that’s fast, secure, and easy to maintain. Whether you’re launching a personal blog, portfolio, or a business website, they give you the freedom to focus on what really matters, your content and your users without all the extra complexity.
The best part? You’re not locked into one way of doing things. You can choose the tools and tech you’re most comfortable with, and scale things up as your site grows. From lightning-fast load times to better SEO and easy hosting, SSGs make the whole process smoother.
At the end of the day, it comes down to what fits your workflow and goals best. Pick the one that feels right to your requirements, and you’ll be well on your way to creating a beautiful, high-performing website that you’re proud of 🙌
Frequently asked questions
Is Eleventy fast?
Yes very fast, Eleventy is known for its quick build times and low overhead, making it perfect for fast static websites.
Does Eleventy have built-in data handling?
Yes, Eleventy handles data from JSON, YAML, Markdown, and more, which can be injected directly into your templates.
Is Eleventy SEO-friendly?
Yes, Eleventy outputs clean HTML with customizable metadata, so you can fine-tune your SEO strategy easily.
Does Eleventy support multiple templates?
Yes, Eleventy is template agnostic means you can use Nunjucks, Liquid, Markdown, Pug, and more.
Is Astro great for blogs and docs?
With support for Markdown and MDX, Astro is a fantastic choice for documentation sites, blogs, and other content-heavy websites
Does Astro support SSR?
Yes, You can use Server-Side Rendering (SSR) for dynamic content, or stick to static generation for blazing fast websites. Astro provides flexibility to choose the best approach.
Can I use React or Vue with Astro?
Yes, Astro supports React, Vue, Svelte, and many other frontend frameworks. You can even mix and match them on the same page.
Why is Astro so fast?
Astro uses HTML-first rendering, so it ships static HTML by default and only hydrates interactive components when necessary, leading to blazing fast performance.
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By SW Habitation