Hugo
11ty
Compare Hugo and 11ty for building static websites. Find the best SSG for your project.
Start MigrationHugo for speed, 11ty for flexibility. Choose Hugo for large documentation sites, blogs with thousands of posts, or when build speed is critical. Choose 11ty for JavaScript-heavy sites, flexible templating needs, or when already in the Node.js ecosystem.
Official docs: Hugo Documentation
| Feature | Hugo | 11ty |
|---|---|---|
Build Speed | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Ease of Use | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Flexibility | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
JS Integration | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Built-in Features | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Documentation | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Detail | Hugo | 11ty |
|---|---|---|
Language / Stack | Go (Go templates) | JavaScript (multiple template languages) |
Type | ssg | ssg |
Pricing | Free (open-source) | Free (open-source) |
Open Source | Yes | Yes |
Best For | Documentation sites and blogs where build speed and simplicity matter most | Performance-focused sites that need minimal client-side JavaScript |
Export Method | N/A (destination framework) | N/A (destination framework) |
The right choice between Hugo and 11ty depends on three things: your team's technical skills, your project timeline, and your long-term content strategy.
Both platforms sit in the same category — ssg — so the deciding factors are ecosystem size, editorial workflow, and specific feature gaps. Hugo uses Go (Go templates), while 11ty runs on JavaScript (multiple template languages). If your developers already know one of those stacks, lean toward that platform to reduce ramp-up 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 supports migration between 60+ platforms, so you're never locked in regardless of which you pick today.
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