Hugo vs. Eleventy

What is Hugo?

Hugo is an open-source static site generator written in Go. It’s famous for its speed, being one of the fastest generators available, even with large websites.

Hugo uses Markdown files for content and allows you to customize your site with themes and templates. It’s simple, powerful, and perfect for those who want quick deployment with minimal setup.

Key Features of Hugo

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• Multilingual: Easy setup for multi-language websites.
• Customizable: Plenty of configuration options to meet your needs.
• Flexible Content Management: Supports pages, posts, and taxonomies like tags and categories.
• Incredibly Fast: Hugo can generate thousands of pages in just a second.
• Markdown Support: Write in Markdown and Hugo will handle the rest.
• Built-in Templates and Themes: Use or create custom themes for fast and efficient development.

Advantages of Hugo

• Huge Community: With tons of themes, plugins, and community resources.
• Lightweight: Minimal dependencies required, which means less complexity.
• Full Flexibility: Create custom templates or use pre-built themes.
• Multilingual Sites: It’s a breeze to create websites in multiple languages.
• Super Speed: Hugo is one of the fastest static site generators available.

Disadvantages of Hugo

• Limited Plugins: While it has a good set, Hugo’s plugin ecosystem is not as huge as others like Gatsby.
• Requires Go Installation: You’ll need Go installed on your system, which could be a barrier for some users.
• Learning Curve for New Users: It can be challenging for beginners who aren’t familiar with the command line.

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

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• 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.