Eleventy vs Hugo
Static Site Generators (SSGs) are a popular way to build and maintain websites and blogs. They are used to generate static HTML files that can be easily served by a web server, making them fast and secure. Eleventy and Hugo are two of the most popular SSGs available today, and both offer unique advantages for different types of projects.
Eleventy is a simple, fast and flexible SSG that is written in JavaScript. It uses a template-based system to generate static HTML pages from markdown or other templates, making it easy to create and maintain a website or blog. Eleventy is highly customizable and can be extended with plugins or custom JavaScript functions. This makes it a good choice for projects that require a lot of customization, such as custom templates or advanced features like pagination, filtering and more.
Eleventy also supports modern frontend development tools such as SASS, PostCSS and Babel, which makes it easy to integrate into an existing development workflow. The fact that Eleventy is written in JavaScript also means that it can be run on any platform that supports Node.js, making it a good choice for developers who want to use their existing JavaScript skills.
Hugo, on the other hand, is written in Go and boasts a lightning-fast build time. It uses Go’s templates to generate pages, which are compiled into optimized HTML files. Hugo has a large and active community, and there are many themes and plugins available to enhance its functionality. This makes it easy to get started with and to customize for specific projects.
In terms of performance, Hugo is faster than Eleventy due to its Go-based architecture. It’s also easier to get started with, as it has a simpler setup process and requires less technical knowledge to use. For example, Hugo has built-in support for syntax highlighting, which can be easily enabled in your templates with a simple line of code. This makes it a good choice for developers who are new to SSGs or who don’t have a lot of experience with customizing templates.
Despite its simplicity, Hugo is also a powerful tool for advanced users. It offers a variety of features for customizing the look and behavior of your site, including custom templates, custom shortcodes, and custom taxonomies. Additionally, Hugo’s Go-based architecture makes it easy to extend with custom plugins written in Go, which can be used to add advanced functionality to your site.
Both Eleventy and Hugo are powerful tools for creating static websites and blogs. The choice between them will depend on your specific needs and the skills of your team. If you’re looking for a fast, easy-to-use SSG that requires minimal setup and customization, Hugo may be the right choice for you. But if you’re looking for a more customizable and flexible solution that can be easily integrated into an existing development workflow, Eleventy is the way to go. Regardless of which SSG you choose, both offer powerful features and a simple, efficient way to build and maintain a static website or blog.