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11ty

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Builder.io

11ty vs Builder.io

11ty vs Builder.io: which is right for your project? 11ty is zero-config javascript ssg that ships zero client js by default. Builder.io is visual cms that integrates with any frontend framework. We compare features, performance, and pricing.

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TL;DR — Our Recommendation

11ty wins overall, but Builder.io is better for teams wanting visual editing on top of a code-based frontend. Choose 11ty for Performance-focused sites that need minimal client-side JavaScript. Choose Builder.io for Teams wanting visual editing on top of a code-based frontend.

Migrate Builder.io → 11ty

Feature by Feature Comparison

Feature	11ty	Builder.io
Ease of Use	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Performance	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Flexibility	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Cost Value	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐
Scalability	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ecosystem	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐

Pros & Cons

11ty

Pros

Ships zero JavaScript to the browser by default — pure HTML
Supports 10+ template languages (Nunjucks, Liquid, Markdown, etc.)
Framework-independent — use any or no JS framework
Fast builds and simple mental model

Cons

No built-in client-side JS framework for interactive components
Smaller ecosystem of plugins and starters than Next.js or Gatsby
Less intuitive for developers coming from React/Vue backgrounds
Documentation can be hard to navigate

Builder.io

Pros

Visual editor works with any framework (React, Vue, Svelte, etc.)
Marketers edit pages visually while devs maintain code quality
A/B testing and personalization built into the platform
Structured content modeling alongside visual editing

Cons

Adds SDK dependency and API calls to your frontend
Complex setup compared to traditional headless CMS
Free tier is limited — costs grow with page views
Visual editing can produce inconsistent layouts if not constrained

Platform Details

Detail	11ty	Builder.io
Language / Stack	JavaScript (multiple template languages)	Framework-agnostic (React, Vue, Angular, etc.)
Type	ssg	visual builder
Pricing	Free (open-source)	Free / $19+/month
Open Source	Yes	No
Best For	Performance-focused sites that need minimal client-side JavaScript	Teams wanting visual editing on top of a code-based frontend
Export Method	N/A (destination framework)	Content API (JSON)

When to Choose Each Platform

Choose 11ty if…

You need performance-focused sites that need minimal client-side javascript
Your team is comfortable with JavaScript (multiple template languages)
You want an open-source solution with full code ownership
Budget is a top priority — free (open-source)
You want a low learning curve for non-technical team members
You want maximum performance with static or server-rendered pages

Choose Builder.io if…

You need teams wanting visual editing on top of a code-based frontend
Your team is comfortable with Framework-agnostic (React, Vue, Angular, etc.)
You want a low learning curve for non-technical team members

Which Should You Pick?

The right choice between 11ty and Builder.io depends on three things: your team's technical skills, your project timeline, and your long-term content strategy.

These platforms take fundamentally different approaches. 11ty is a ssg built with JavaScript (multiple template languages), while Builder.io is a visual builder built with Framework-agnostic (React, Vue, Angular, etc.). That architectural difference shapes everything from daily content editing workflows to deployment and hosting costs. Both platforms require some technical comfort — consider which tech stack aligns better with your team's existing skills.

From a cost perspective, 11ty is open-source (Free (open-source)), while Builder.io (Free / $19+/month) carries ongoing license costs. Factor in plugin or extension costs, developer rates for each tech stack, and whether you need managed hosting or can self-host.

Whichever you choose, migrating between them is straightforward. LeaveWP offers a free Builder.io → 11ty migration tool that preserves your URLs, metadata, and content structure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 11ty better than Builder.io?

11ty scores higher overall (25/30 vs 22/30) thanks to better performance. However, Builder.io is the better choice for Teams wanting visual editing on top of a code-based frontend.

Can I migrate from 11ty to Builder.io?

Yes. Export your 11ty content via N/A (destination framework), then import it into Builder.io. LeaveWP can help automate this process while preserving your SEO metadata and URL structure.

What are the main differences between 11ty and Builder.io?

11ty is zero-config javascript ssg that ships zero client js by default, while Builder.io is visual cms that integrates with any frontend framework. Key differences: performance (11ty: 5/5, Builder.io: 4/5), pricing (Free (open-source) vs Free / $19+/month), and scalability (11ty: 4/5, Builder.io: 4/5).

How much does 11ty cost compared to Builder.io?

11ty: Free (open-source). Builder.io: Free / $19+/month. 11ty is open-source and free to self-host, while Builder.io is a paid platform.

Which is easier to learn, 11ty or Builder.io?

They're similarly approachable (both 4/5). 11ty uses JavaScript (multiple template languages), while Builder.io uses Framework-agnostic (React, Vue, Angular, etc.). Your team's existing skills will determine which feels easier.

Which performs better, 11ty or Builder.io?

11ty has the performance edge (5/5 vs 4/5). As a static site generator, 11ty pre-renders pages for near-instant load times. Builder.io may require additional optimization for high-traffic sites.

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