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11ty

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Kentico

11ty vs Kentico

11ty vs Kentico: which is right for your project? 11ty is zero-config javascript ssg that ships zero client js by default. Kentico is .net enterprise dxp with built-in marketing tools. We compare features, performance, and pricing.

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TL;DR — Our Recommendation

11ty wins overall, but Kentico is better for .net enterprises needing an all-in-one dxp with marketing automation. Choose 11ty for Performance-focused sites that need minimal client-side JavaScript. Choose Kentico for .NET enterprises needing an all-in-one DXP with marketing automation.

Feature by Feature Comparison

Feature11tyKentico
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

Kentico

Pros

  • Integrated marketing automation, email, and A/B testing
  • Deep integration with the Microsoft/.NET ecosystem
  • Built-in e-commerce, forms, and personalization
  • Enterprise SLA support and compliance features

Cons

  • Expensive licensing limits it to enterprise budgets
  • Vendor lock-in with proprietary technology stack
  • Requires .NET developers who are less common in CMS space
  • Heavy platform — overpowered for simple content sites

Platform Details

Detail11tyKentico
Language / Stack
JavaScript (multiple template languages).NET / C#
Type
ssgtraditional cms
Pricing
Free (open-source)Paid ($10K+/year)
Open Source
YesNo
Best For
Performance-focused sites that need minimal client-side JavaScript.NET enterprises needing an all-in-one DXP with marketing automation
Export Method
N/A (destination framework)REST API or direct database access

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 Kentico if…

  • You need .net enterprises needing an all-in-one dxp with marketing automation
  • Your team is comfortable with .NET / C#

Which Should You Pick?

The right choice between 11ty and Kentico 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 Kentico is a traditional cms built with .NET / C#. That architectural difference shapes everything from daily content editing workflows to deployment and hosting costs. If your team includes non-developers who need to publish content frequently, Kentico's familiar editing interface may save you onboarding time.

From a cost perspective, 11ty is open-source (Free (open-source)), while Kentico (Paid ($10K+/year)) 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 Kentico11ty migration tool that preserves your URLs, metadata, and content structure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 11ty better than Kentico?
11ty scores higher overall (25/30 vs 17/30) thanks to better performance. However, Kentico is the better choice for .NET enterprises needing an all-in-one DXP with marketing automation.
Can I migrate from 11ty to Kentico?
Yes. Export your 11ty content via N/A (destination framework), then import it into Kentico. LeaveWP can help automate this process while preserving your SEO metadata and URL structure.
What are the main differences between 11ty and Kentico?
11ty is zero-config javascript ssg that ships zero client js by default, while Kentico is .net enterprise dxp with built-in marketing tools. Key differences: ease of use (11ty: 4/5, Kentico: 3/5), pricing (Free (open-source) vs Paid ($10K+/year)), and ecosystem size (11ty: 3/5, Kentico: 2/5).
How much does 11ty cost compared to Kentico?
11ty: Free (open-source). Kentico: Paid ($10K+/year). 11ty is open-source and free to self-host, while Kentico is a paid platform.
Which is easier to learn, 11ty or Kentico?
11ty is easier to pick up (4/5 vs 3/5). Ships zero JavaScript to the browser by default — pure HTML. Kentico has a steeper learning curve, especially for teams new to .NET / C#.
Which performs better, 11ty or Kentico?
11ty has the performance edge (5/5 vs 3/5). As a static site generator, 11ty pre-renders pages for near-instant load times. Kentico Heavy platform — overpowered for simple content sites.

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