NetlifyCMS vs. Begin
By SW Habitation
NetlifyCMS
Begin
You know when you’ve finished building your website and just want to get it online without dealing with all the techy stuff? That’s where deployment platforms help. They make it super easy to put your site live, just connect your code, click a button, and it’s up and running. No need to worry about servers or complicated setups.
They also take care of the important things like speed, security, and updates in the background. So while they handle the heavy stuff, you can focus on making your website look good and work great. It's simple, right?
What is NetlifyCMS ?
NetlifyCMS is an open-source headless CMS built to work with static site generators like Gatsby, Hugo, and Next.js. It gives you a simple web-based UI to manage your content while storing everything directly in your Git repository. This means every change you make is version-controlled, just like your code.
Key Features of NetlifyCMS
- Free Hosting with Netlify: Deploy instantly with Netlify for free.
- Git-Based Workflow: All content changes are stored as commits in your Git repository.
- Instant Previews: See how your content will look before publishing.
- Easy Integration: Works seamlessly with static site generators like Gatsby, Hugo, and Jekyll.
- Role Management: Assign roles to control who can edit what.
- Markdown Support: Write content in Markdown and preview changes in real time.
- Customizable UI: Tailor the admin interface to fit your content structure.
Advantages of Netlify CMS
- Simple Setup: Easy to integrate with Git and static site generators.
- Free to Use: Open-source and works perfectly with Netlify’s free tier.
- Version Control: Content changes are tracked in Git, ensuring full transparency.
- Fast Deployment: Deploy instantly with Netlify.
- Markdown Support: Write clean, lightweight content with Markdown.
Disadvantages of Netlify CMS
- Not Ideal for Large Projects: Better suited for smaller projects.
- Git Dependency: Requires familiarity with Git workflows.
- Limited Integrations: Fewer built-in integrations compared to larger CMSs.
- No Database: Content is stored as files in Git, not in a traditional database.
What is Begin?
Begin is a serverless deployment platform that focuses on simplicity and speed. It’s built on top of Architect, a framework for building serverless applications on AWS. Begin abstracts away the complexities of AWS, letting developers focus on writing code and shipping features. It’s particularly popular for deploying JAMstack apps, APIs, and other serverless projects.
Key Features of Begin
- One-Click Deployments: Push to GitHub, and Begin takes care of the rest.
- Instant Rollbacks: Easily roll back to previous versions if needed.
- Fast and Lightweight: Minimal configuration required, optimized for quick deployments.
- Environment Management: Separate environments for development, staging, and production.
- Serverless by Design: Built on AWS Lambda, making scaling automatic.
- CI/CD Built-In: Every GitHub push triggers a deployment automatically.
Advantages of Begin
- Instant Rollbacks: Fix mistakes fast with one-click rollbacks.
- Environment Management: Separate dev, staging, and production environments keep things organized.
- Built-in CI/CD: No extra setup — every GitHub push deploys automatically.
- Serverless Scaling: No need to manage servers; Begin handles it with AWS Lambda.
- Super Simple Deployment: Push to GitHub, and your app goes live.
Disadvantages of Begin
- Less Flexibility for Large Apps: Great for small to medium projects, but large-scale apps might need more control.
- Small Community: Not as widely adopted as platforms like Vercel or Netlify, so finding resources and community support can be tricky.
- Tied to AWS: Under the hood, it uses AWS — so if you’re not a fan, this might not be for you.
- Limited Customization: Advanced users might feel restricted by the simplicity.
Comparison Between NetlifyCMS vs Begin
Use Cases of NetlifyCMS
- Personal Blogs: Simple and fast content management for personal sites.
- Portfolios: Showcase your work with minimal setup.
- Small Business Websites: Perfect for static websites that don’t require complex features.
- Developers Who Love Git: Version control your content the same way you do with code.
Use Cases of Begin
- Continuous Deployment: Automatic deployments from GitHub keep your workflow smooth.
- Serverless Apps: Built-in support for AWS Lambda makes it a breeze for serverless backends.
- Quick Prototyping: Rapid deployments make it ideal for trying out new ideas or building MVPs.
- JAMstack Projects: Perfect for deploying static sites with dynamic content via APIs.
Other Resources
Conclusion
Deployment platforms are a total game changer if you’re looking to launch your website quickly, reliably, and without any trouble. Whether it’s a personal portfolio, a startup site, or a growing business platform, they handle the technical heavy lifting like hosting, security, and scalability so you can stay focused on building great experiences for your users.
You’re not boxed into a single approach. Most platforms integrate smoothly with the tools and frameworks you already love, letting you deploy directly from your Git repository, preview updates, and roll back with ease. With lightning-fast performance and dependable uptime, deployment platforms simplify the path from code to production. Pick the one that aligns with your workflow, and you’re all set to launch with confidence 🚀
Frequently asked questions
What is Netlify CMS?
Netlify CMS is an open-source content management system. It is designed for static site generators. It provides a user-friendly interface for editing content stored in Git repositories.
Is hosting on Netlify required?
Nup, While it integrates seamlessly with Netlify, you can use it with any Git-based static site hosted anywhere.
What static site generators are supported?
Netlify CMS supports popular generators like Hugo, Jekyll, Gatsby, Eleventy (11ty), and others.
Is Begin good for teams?
Yes, Begin supports team workflows, environments (staging, production), and easy collaboration right out of the box.
Can I use custom domains with Begin?
Custom domains with SSL are built-in, no extra config needed.
Does Begin use AWS under the hood?
Yes, Begin runs on AWS Lambda, DynamoDB, and S3, but you don’t need to configure any of it manually.
What makes Begin unique?
Begin is all about developer speed. It abstracts away AWS complexity and gives you instant deploys, serverless functions, and data—all with a simple Git-based workflow.