📦

Joomla

VS
📦

11ty

Joomla vs 11ty

Joomla vs 11ty: which is right for your project? Joomla is php cms balancing power and usability. 11ty is zero-config javascript ssg that ships zero client js by default. We compare features, performance, and pricing.

Start Migration

TL;DR — Our Recommendation

11ty wins overall, but Joomla is better for community portals and membership sites needing built-in user management. Choose Joomla for Community portals and membership sites needing built-in user management. Choose 11ty for Performance-focused sites that need minimal client-side JavaScript.

Official docs: Joomla Documentation

Feature by Feature Comparison

FeatureJoomla11ty
Ease of Use
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Performance
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Flexibility
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Cost Value
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Scalability
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ecosystem
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Pros & Cons

Joomla

Pros

  • Built-in ACL system more powerful than WordPress out of the box
  • Native multilingual support without extensions
  • Flexible content categorization system
  • Good balance between ease of use and developer features

Cons

  • Smaller community means fewer extensions and themes
  • Admin interface feels dated compared to modern CMS options
  • Performance degrades with many extensions installed
  • Finding skilled Joomla developers is increasingly difficult

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

Platform Details

DetailJoomla11ty
Language / Stack
PHPJavaScript (multiple template languages)
Type
traditional cmsssg
Pricing
Free (self-hosted)Free (open-source)
Open Source
YesYes
Best For
Community portals and membership sites needing built-in user managementPerformance-focused sites that need minimal client-side JavaScript
Export Method
Database export or J2XML extensionN/A (destination framework)

When to Choose Each Platform

Choose Joomla if…

  • You need community portals and membership sites needing built-in user management
  • Your team is comfortable with PHP
  • You want an open-source solution with full code ownership

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

Which Should You Pick?

The right choice between Joomla and 11ty depends on three things: your team's technical skills, your project timeline, and your long-term content strategy.

These platforms take fundamentally different approaches. Joomla is a traditional cms built with PHP, while 11ty is a ssg built with JavaScript (multiple template languages). 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, Joomla'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 supports migration between 60+ platforms, so you're never locked in regardless of which you pick today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Joomla better than 11ty?
11ty scores higher overall (25/30 vs 18/30) thanks to better performance. However, Joomla remains the better choice for Community portals and membership sites needing built-in user management.
Can I migrate from Joomla to 11ty?
Yes. Export your Joomla content via Database export or J2XML extension, then convert it to Markdown or import into a headless CMS. LeaveWP can help automate this process while preserving your SEO metadata and URL structure.
What are the main differences between Joomla and 11ty?
Joomla is php cms balancing power and usability, while 11ty is zero-config javascript ssg that ships zero client js by default. Key differences: ease of use (Joomla: 3/5, 11ty: 4/5), pricing (Free (self-hosted) vs Free (open-source)), and scalability (Joomla: 3/5, 11ty: 4/5).
How much does Joomla cost compared to 11ty?
Joomla: Free (self-hosted). 11ty: Free (open-source). Both are open-source, so the main cost difference is hosting and infrastructure.
Which is easier to learn, Joomla or 11ty?
11ty is easier to pick up (4/5 vs 3/5). Ships zero JavaScript to the browser by default — pure HTML. Joomla has a steeper learning curve, especially for teams new to PHP.
Which performs better, Joomla or 11ty?
11ty has the performance edge (5/5 vs 2/5). As a static site generator, 11ty pre-renders pages for near-instant load times. Joomla Performance degrades with many extensions installed.

Related Comparisons

Explore more comparisons featuring Joomla or 11ty

Joomla vs 11ty Guides

In-depth guides and tutorials to help with your migration

Ready to Migrate?

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

Start Free Migration