Eleventy

Eleventy is a free static site generator that compiles templates into HTML. It can start without configuration and also offers flexible configuration options. Content can come from Markdown, and templates can use HTML, JavaScript, WebC, Liquid, Nunjucks, Handlebars, Mustache, EJS, Haml, Pug, TypeScript, JSX, MDX, Sass and other formats. Eleventy does not require a JavaScript framework and produces zero client-side JavaScript by default. It can work with an existing directory structure, allowing teams to convert selected templates. A local preview server, CMS integrations and multilingual support are available. Eleventy requires JavaScript and recommends Node.js version 18 or newer; quick-start instructions cover macOS, Linux, Windows, npm, pnpm and Yarn. Its documentation says it is probably not the right fit for single-page applications, given its default approach and full-page navigation. It is available for Linux, macOS, Windows and self-hosted use under an MIT license.

Eleventy offers a free way to compile templates into static HTML, with broad format support and incremental adoption. Its default approach is not positioned for single-page applications.

Eleventy suits developers building static sites who want a template generator that can work within an existing directory structure. Its documented approach may be a poor fit for projects that need a single-page application.

Overview

Eleventy is a developer-oriented tool for turning templates into static HTML. It is best suited to content-focused sites and teams that want to add static pages to an existing project in stages. Its code-first flexibility is compelling for that work, but its zero-client-JavaScript, full-page default is a poor match for single-page applications.

Key features

Templates and content

Eleventy accepts HTML, Markdown, WebC, JavaScript, Liquid, Nunjucks, Handlebars, Mustache, EJS, Haml, Pug, TypeScript, JSX, MDX, Sass and custom formats. That range lets developers use familiar template languages or combine them, rather than forcing content into one format. Markdown sources, CMS integration, multilingual support and a local preview server support common publishing workflows. This is a toolkit for building with templates, not a visual site editor.

Adoption and output

The zero-configuration starting point lowers the setup burden, while flexible configuration leaves room to adapt the project as it grows. Eleventy can fit an existing directory structure and lets teams convert selected templates, so a migration need not begin with a full rebuild. It produces no client-side JavaScript by default and uses full-page navigation. That keeps its default output focused on static pages, but the project's own guidance says it probably is not the right choice for a single-page application.

Builds and remote data

Eleventy reports building 4,000 Markdown files in 1.93 seconds, an encouraging performance claim for content-heavy projects. Its Fetch plugin can retrieve remote resources, cache JSON, HTML, images, video and other assets, and use cached data while offline. The cache stores complete network responses, so private data could be exposed if the cache directory is committed; Eleventy recommends adding that directory to .gitignore. Deployment examples use a writable /tmp cache with Netlify Functions and AWS Lambda.

Runtime and support

Eleventy requires JavaScript and recommends Node.js 18 or newer. Quick-start commands cover npm, pnpm and Yarn. Community channels include Discord, Mastodon, Bluesky, YouTube and a newsletter. The project directs vulnerability reports through GitHub or [email protected] and says it has no published security advisories. Its documentation repository is MIT licensed.

Pricing

Eleventy is free: the Eleventy plan costs nothing and is a self-hosted static-site generator under the MIT license. There are no paid tiers to trade off against this plan; users provide the JavaScript runtime and operate their own project. That makes it a straightforward choice for developers seeking a no-cost generator, rather than a hosted service plan.

Platforms

Eleventy supports Linux, macOS and Windows, with quick-start commands also provided for cross-platform use. It is self-hosted and requires JavaScript, with Node.js 18 or newer recommended.

Who it's for

Choose Eleventy for content-led websites when you want broad template support, incremental conversion, or static output without default client-side JavaScript. It can suit developers working across varied formats and teams that prefer to introduce a generator gradually. Look elsewhere for an application whose central requirement is single-page interactions, or if you need a visual site-building workflow rather than a template-based tool.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Broad template and content-format support gives developers room to retain familiar tools or mix formats.
• Pro: Zero-configuration setup and selective conversion make it practical to adopt within an existing site.
• Pro: Free, MIT-licensed and self-hosted, with no paid plan required.
• Con: Its default zero-client-JavaScript, full-page model is not suited to single-page applications.
• Con: The JavaScript requirement and template-based workflow call for developer involvement rather than visual editing.
• Con: Fetch caching needs care: committing its response cache can expose private data.

Alternatives

Browse Static site generators to compare options in the same category. Choose Gatsby instead if its open-source framework or its separate free plan with a 300-credit monthly limit and unlimited deploy previews better fits your needs. Cecil is another free option for Linux, macOS and Windows; its free software plan states no cost or usage limits. Nanoc is free across Linux, macOS and Windows as a passion project. Bridgetown is a free alternative with API, Linux, macOS, self-hosted and Windows platforms. Pick Zola if a free, single-executable generator is preferable. Hugo is open source and free to use. Lume is a free static site generator for Deno. Metalsmith is free and MIT/(L)GPL licensed.

Verdict

Eleventy is a strong fit for developers building static, content-focused sites who value format choice, incremental adoption and a free MIT-licensed tool. Its main reason to choose is the ability to work with existing project structures while generating static HTML. Look elsewhere if the project depends on a single-page-application model or you want a visual builder.