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11ty

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Butter CMS

11ty vs Butter CMS

11ty vs Butter CMS: which is right for your project? 11ty is zero-config javascript ssg that ships zero client js by default. Butter CMS is headless cms focused on ease of use for marketers. We compare features, performance, and pricing.

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TL;DR — Our Recommendation

11ty wins overall, but Butter CMS is better for marketing teams wanting headless cms with a wordpress-like editing experience. Choose 11ty for Performance-focused sites that need minimal client-side JavaScript. Choose Butter CMS for Marketing teams wanting headless CMS with a WordPress-like editing experience.

Feature by Feature Comparison

Feature11tyButter CMS
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

Butter CMS

Pros

  • Extremely easy for non-technical editors — feels like WordPress
  • Blog engine and pages ready to use out of the box
  • SDKs available for 18+ languages and frameworks
  • Excellent documentation with step-by-step framework guides

Cons

  • Less flexible content modeling than Sanity or Contentful
  • Pricing jumps significantly after the free tier
  • Smaller ecosystem and fewer integrations
  • Advanced features like localization cost extra

Platform Details

Detail11tyButter CMS
Language / Stack
JavaScript (multiple template languages)API-based (any frontend)
Type
ssgheadless cms
Pricing
Free (open-source)Free / $83+/month
Open Source
YesNo
Best For
Performance-focused sites that need minimal client-side JavaScriptMarketing teams wanting headless CMS with a WordPress-like editing experience
Export Method
N/A (destination framework)Content API

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 Butter CMS if…

  • You need marketing teams wanting headless cms with a wordpress-like editing experience
  • Your team is comfortable with API-based (any frontend)
  • You want a low learning curve for non-technical team members

Which Should You Pick?

The right choice between 11ty and Butter CMS 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 Butter CMS is a headless cms built with API-based (any frontend). 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 Butter CMS (Free / $83+/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 Butter CMS11ty migration tool that preserves your URLs, metadata, and content structure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 11ty better than Butter CMS?
11ty scores higher overall (25/30 vs 19/30) thanks to better performance. However, Butter CMS is the better choice for Marketing teams wanting headless CMS with a WordPress-like editing experience.
Can I migrate from 11ty to Butter CMS?
Yes. Export your 11ty content via N/A (destination framework), then import it into Butter CMS. LeaveWP can help automate this process while preserving your SEO metadata and URL structure.
What are the main differences between 11ty and Butter CMS?
11ty is zero-config javascript ssg that ships zero client js by default, while Butter CMS is headless cms focused on ease of use for marketers. Key differences: ease of use (11ty: 4/5, Butter CMS: 5/5), pricing (Free (open-source) vs Free / $83+/month), and ecosystem size (11ty: 3/5, Butter CMS: 2/5).
How much does 11ty cost compared to Butter CMS?
11ty: Free (open-source). Butter CMS: Free / $83+/month. 11ty is open-source and free to self-host, while Butter CMS is a paid platform.
Which is easier to learn, 11ty or Butter CMS?
Butter CMS is easier to pick up (5/5 vs 4/5). Extremely easy for non-technical editors — feels like WordPress. 11ty has a steeper learning curve, especially for teams new to JavaScript (multiple template languages).
Which performs better, 11ty or Butter CMS?
11ty has the performance edge (5/5 vs 4/5). As a static site generator, 11ty pre-renders pages for near-instant load times. Butter CMS may require additional optimization for high-traffic sites.

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