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11ty

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Sanity

11ty vs Sanity

11ty vs Sanity: which is right for your project? 11ty is zero-config javascript ssg that ships zero client js by default. Sanity is real-time collaborative headless cms with customizable studio. We compare features, performance, and pricing.

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TL;DR — Our Recommendation

It depends — 11ty and Sanity serve different use cases well. Choose 11ty for Performance-focused sites that need minimal client-side JavaScript. Choose Sanity for Developer-led teams wanting maximum flexibility in content modeling and editing experience.

Official docs: Sanity Documentation

Feature by Feature Comparison

Feature	11ty	Sanity
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

Sanity

Pros

GROQ query language is more powerful and flexible than GraphQL
Real-time collaborative editing (like Google Docs)
Fully customizable React-based Studio admin panel
Portable Text format gives structured rich text (not raw HTML)

Cons

GROQ is a custom query language with its own learning curve
Studio customization requires React development knowledge
Per-user pricing gets expensive for large editorial teams
Steeper setup curve than GUI-first headless CMS options

Platform Details

Detail	11ty	Sanity
Language / Stack	JavaScript (multiple template languages)	JavaScript/TypeScript (React-based Studio)
Type	ssg	headless cms
Pricing	Free (open-source)	Free / $15+/month per user
Open Source	Yes	Yes
Best For	Performance-focused sites that need minimal client-side JavaScript	Developer-led teams wanting maximum flexibility in content modeling and editing experience
Export Method	N/A (destination framework)	GROQ API, GraphQL API, or Sanity 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 Sanity if…

You need developer-led teams wanting maximum flexibility in content modeling and editing experience
Your team is comfortable with JavaScript/TypeScript (React-based Studio)
You want an open-source solution with full code ownership

Which Should You Pick?

The right choice between 11ty and Sanity 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 Sanity is a headless cms built with JavaScript/TypeScript (React-based Studio). 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, both platforms are open-source, so the real cost difference is hosting and operational overhead. 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 Sanity?

They're closely matched (25/30 vs 24/30). 11ty is best for Performance-focused sites that need minimal client-side JavaScript, while Sanity excels for Developer-led teams wanting maximum flexibility in content modeling and editing experience. Your choice should depend on your team's skills and project requirements.

Can I migrate from 11ty to Sanity?

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

What are the main differences between 11ty and Sanity?

11ty is zero-config javascript ssg that ships zero client js by default, while Sanity is real-time collaborative headless cms with customizable studio. Key differences: ease of use (11ty: 4/5, Sanity: 3/5), pricing (Free (open-source) vs Free / $15+/month per user), and scalability (11ty: 4/5, Sanity: 5/5).

How much does 11ty cost compared to Sanity?

11ty: Free (open-source). Sanity: Free / $15+/month per user. Both are open-source, so the main cost difference is hosting and infrastructure.

Which is easier to learn, 11ty or Sanity?

11ty is easier to pick up (4/5 vs 3/5). Ships zero JavaScript to the browser by default — pure HTML. Sanity GROQ is a custom query language with its own learning curve.

Which performs better, 11ty or Sanity?

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

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