What is the difference between WordPress.com and Eleventy?

WordPress.com is best for Anyone wanting the most flexible CMS available, while Eleventy is best for Developers wanting a simple, zero-config static site generator. WordPress.com starts at Free and Eleventy starts at Free.

Is WordPress.com or Eleventy cheaper?

WordPress.com starts at Free with a free tier. Eleventy starts at Free and is free.

Is there a free alternative to Eleventy?

Both WordPress.com and Eleventy offer free tiers.

WordPress.com vs Eleventy

WordPress.com is the hosted version of WordPress with themes, plugins, and e-commerce for any type of website, while Eleventy is simple static site generator with flexible templating and zero client-side JavaScript. Eleventy is open source and can be self-hosted, giving you full control over your data. WordPress.com is built for anyone wanting the most flexible cms available, whereas Eleventy targets developers wanting a simple, zero-config static site generator.

At a glance

	WordPress.com	Eleventy
Best for	Anyone wanting the most flexible CMS available	Developers wanting a simple, zero-config static site generator
Starting price	Free	Free
Free tier	✓	✓
Open source	—	✓
Free tier available	✓	✓
Open source	—	✓
Data Cascade	—	✓
E-commerce	✓	—
Multiple Templates	—	✓
Plugins	✓	✓
SEO	✓	—
Themes	✓	—
Zero Config	—	✓

WordPress.com

Strengths

Includes Themes as a core feature, purpose-built for website builder workflows
Plugin ecosystem lets you customize the app to fit your exact workflow
Free with WordPress branding — generous enough for most small teams to get real work done
Established product with 21+ years on the market and a mature ecosystem

Weaknesses

Free plan exists but key features are locked behind the paid upgrade
Fewer built-in features means you may need additional tools to cover gaps
Performance and SEO control is limited compared to custom-coded sites
Mobile experience lags behind the desktop version in features and polish

Try WordPress.com → Full review

Eleventy

Strengths

Open source and transparent
Includes Zero Config as a core feature, purpose-built for website builder workflows
Fully open-source — you can self-host, audit the code, and avoid vendor lock-in
The core product is free with no paywalled essentials

Weaknesses

May lack some advanced features
Self-hosting is free but requires server maintenance and DevOps knowledge
Fewer built-in features means you may need additional tools to cover gaps
Performance and SEO control is limited compared to custom-coded sites

Try Eleventy → Full review

The bottom line

Pricing: Both WordPress.com and Eleventy are free. You can try both without spending a dollar.

Feature gaps: WordPress.com offers E-commerce, SEO and Themes that Eleventy lacks. Eleventy brings Data Cascade, Multiple Templates and Zero Config that WordPress.com does not have. Both share Plugins.

Team fit: WordPress.com is geared toward any size teams, while Eleventy is aimed at individual users and small setups. Pick the one that matches where your team is today and where it is headed — migrating tools later is always painful.

Open source: Eleventy is open source, meaning you can self-host, audit the code, and avoid vendor lock-in. WordPress.com is proprietary — you are trusting the vendor with your data and uptime.

Where each tool shines: WordPress.com's biggest strengths are: includes themes as a core feature, purpose-built for website builder workflows. plugin ecosystem lets you customize the app to fit your exact workflow. Eleventy's biggest strengths are: open source and transparent. includes zero config as a core feature, purpose-built for website builder workflows.

Watch out for: With WordPress.com, users commonly note that free plan exists but key features are locked behind the paid upgrade. With Eleventy, the main complaint is that may lack some advanced features.

Choose WordPress.com if...

You need a tool built for anyone wanting the most flexible cms available
You specifically need E-commerce and SEO
You care about plugin ecosystem lets you customize the app to fit your exact workflow
Your team size fits the any size profile WordPress.com is designed for
The free tier works for you: free with wordpress branding

Choose Eleventy if...

Your profile matches its sweet spot: developers wanting a simple, zero-config static site generator
You need self-hosting, data sovereignty, or the ability to audit source code
You specifically need Data Cascade and Multiple Templates
You care about includes zero config as a core feature, purpose-built for website builder workflows
Your team size fits the individuals profile Eleventy is designed for