📦

11ty

VS
📦

Umbraco

11ty vs Umbraco

11ty vs Umbraco: which is right for your project? 11ty is zero-config javascript ssg that ships zero client js by default. Umbraco is open-source .net cms with flexible content modeling. We compare features, performance, and pricing.

Start Migration

TL;DR — Our Recommendation

11ty wins overall, but Umbraco is better for .net teams wanting an open-source cms with excellent content modeling. Choose 11ty for Performance-focused sites that need minimal client-side JavaScript. Choose Umbraco for .NET teams wanting an open-source CMS with excellent content modeling.

Feature by Feature Comparison

Feature11tyUmbraco
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

Umbraco

Pros

  • Flexible document types — model any content structure
  • Clean, intuitive backoffice UI for content editors
  • Open source with a welcoming community (Umbraco community is known as "the friendly CMS")
  • Headless content delivery API for modern frontends

Cons

  • Requires .NET hosting which is more expensive than PHP
  • Smaller plugin marketplace than PHP-based CMS options
  • Cloud version (Umbraco Cloud) adds significant cost
  • Fewer tutorials and third-party resources available

Platform Details

Detail11tyUmbraco
Language / Stack
JavaScript (multiple template languages).NET / C#
Type
ssgtraditional cms
Pricing
Free (open-source)Free (self-hosted) / Cloud plans available
Open Source
YesYes
Best For
Performance-focused sites that need minimal client-side JavaScript.NET teams wanting an open-source CMS with excellent content modeling
Export Method
N/A (destination framework)Content Delivery API or Umbraco Heartcore

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 Umbraco if…

  • You need .net teams wanting an open-source cms with excellent content modeling
  • Your team is comfortable with .NET / C#
  • You want an open-source solution with full code ownership

Which Should You Pick?

The right choice between 11ty and Umbraco 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 Umbraco 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, Umbraco's familiar editing interface may save you onboarding time.

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 offers a free Umbraco11ty migration tool that preserves your URLs, metadata, and content structure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 11ty better than Umbraco?
11ty scores higher overall (25/30 vs 19/30) thanks to better performance. However, Umbraco is the better choice for .NET teams wanting an open-source CMS with excellent content modeling.
Can I migrate from 11ty to Umbraco?
Yes. Export your 11ty content via N/A (destination framework), then import it into Umbraco. LeaveWP can help automate this process while preserving your SEO metadata and URL structure.
What are the main differences between 11ty and Umbraco?
11ty is zero-config javascript ssg that ships zero client js by default, while Umbraco is open-source .net cms with flexible content modeling. Key differences: ease of use (11ty: 4/5, Umbraco: 3/5), pricing (Free (open-source) vs Free (self-hosted) / Cloud plans available), and ecosystem size (11ty: 3/5, Umbraco: 2/5).
How much does 11ty cost compared to Umbraco?
11ty: Free (open-source). Umbraco: Free (self-hosted) / Cloud plans available. Both are open-source, so the main cost difference is hosting and infrastructure.
Which is easier to learn, 11ty or Umbraco?
11ty is easier to pick up (4/5 vs 3/5). Ships zero JavaScript to the browser by default — pure HTML. Umbraco has a steeper learning curve, especially for teams new to .NET / C#.
Which performs better, 11ty or Umbraco?
11ty has the performance edge (5/5 vs 3/5). As a static site generator, 11ty pre-renders pages for near-instant load times. Umbraco may require additional optimization for high-traffic sites.

Related Comparisons

Explore more comparisons featuring 11ty or Umbraco

11ty vs Umbraco Guides

In-depth guides and tutorials to help with your migration

Ready to Migrate?

Move your content between 11ty, Umbraco, and 60+ other platforms with our free migration tool.

Start Free Migration