Overview

Eleventy is a simple static site generator with flexible templating and zero client-side JavaScript. It handles zero config, multiple templates, data cascade, and plugins, and it's best suited for developers wanting a simple, zero-config static site generator. It has been around since 2018, giving it a 8-year head start in building out integrations and refining the product.

The core product is entirely free. Since it's open-source, you can self-host for free with no user limits. It's aimed at individual users, so it's fast to set up but may lack team-management features if you scale.

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

Quick info

Category
Website Builder
Starting price
Free
Free tier
Fully free
Open source
Yes
Best for
Individuals
Founded
2018

Last updated 2026-04-12

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