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11ty

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Contentful

11ty vs Contentful

11ty vs Contentful: which is right for your project? 11ty is zero-config javascript ssg that ships zero client js by default. Contentful is api-first headless cms for omnichannel content. We compare features, performance, and pricing.

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TL;DR — Our Recommendation

11ty wins overall, but Contentful is better for enterprises needing to deliver content across web, mobile, and iot channels. Choose 11ty for Performance-focused sites that need minimal client-side JavaScript. Choose Contentful for Enterprises needing to deliver content across web, mobile, and IoT channels.

Official docs: Contentful Documentation

Feature by Feature Comparison

Feature	11ty	Contentful
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

Contentful

Pros

Powerful content modeling with structured content types
Global CDN-backed API delivers content at edge speed
Rich ecosystem of integrations (Algolia, Netlify, Vercel)
Excellent SDKs for every major language and framework

Cons

Expensive — free tier is very limited, paid starts at $300/month
Editing experience is functional but not beautiful
No built-in preview or visual editing (requires custom setup)
Vendor lock-in with proprietary content storage

Platform Details

Detail	11ty	Contentful
Language / Stack	JavaScript (multiple template languages)	API-based (any frontend)
Type	ssg	headless cms
Pricing	Free (open-source)	Free / $300+/month
Open Source	Yes	No
Best For	Performance-focused sites that need minimal client-side JavaScript	Enterprises needing to deliver content across web, mobile, and IoT channels
Export Method	N/A (destination framework)	Content Management API or CLI export

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 Contentful if…

You need enterprises needing to deliver content across web, mobile, and iot channels
Your team is comfortable with API-based (any frontend)

Which Should You Pick?

The right choice between 11ty and Contentful 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 Contentful 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 Contentful (Free / $300+/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 supports migration between 60+ platforms, so you're never locked in regardless of which you pick today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 11ty better than Contentful?

11ty scores higher overall (25/30 vs 22/30) thanks to easier learning curve. However, Contentful is the better choice for Enterprises needing to deliver content across web, mobile, and IoT channels.

Can I migrate from 11ty to Contentful?

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

What are the main differences between 11ty and Contentful?

11ty is zero-config javascript ssg that ships zero client js by default, while Contentful is api-first headless cms for omnichannel content. Key differences: ease of use (11ty: 4/5, Contentful: 3/5), pricing (Free (open-source) vs Free / $300+/month), and ecosystem size (11ty: 3/5, Contentful: 4/5).

How much does 11ty cost compared to Contentful?

11ty: Free (open-source). Contentful: Free / $300+/month. 11ty is open-source and free to self-host, while Contentful is a paid platform.

Which is easier to learn, 11ty or Contentful?

11ty is easier to pick up (4/5 vs 3/5). Ships zero JavaScript to the browser by default — pure HTML. Contentful has a steeper learning curve, especially for teams new to API-based (any frontend).

Which performs better, 11ty or Contentful?

Both score equally on performance (5/5). The real difference depends on your setup: 11ty uses JavaScript (multiple template languages), Contentful uses API-based (any frontend). Proper caching and CDN configuration matters more than the platform itself at this tier.

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