Silex
Silex · Paris, France · founded 2009
What it is
Silex is a free, open-source visual builder for static websites. It can run as a cloud service, a desktop app, or a self-hosted installation, with options for custom domains, blogging, CMS integration, and AI site building. The Cloud plan uses GitLab Pages and supports custom domains, collaboration, versioning, and automatic CI/CD builds. Silex connects with WordPress, Directus, and Squidex, and can use any GraphQL API as a CMS or data source. Deployment options include GitLab Pages, FTP/SFTP, ZIP download, and CapRover. The Desktop app is an early-alpha local application for Windows, macOS, and Linux; it edits offline, publishes to a local folder, requires no account, and includes a local MCP server for AI integration. Self-hosting supports Docker, CapRover, or npx, and self-hosted GitLab CE is described as having no user or storage limits. Silex is maintained by Silex Labs, a French nonprofit based in Paris, whose project began in 2009.
For and against
For
- Free and open-source under AGPL
- Cloud plan supports custom domains and CI/CD
- Desktop app works offline without an account
- Supports WordPress, Directus, Squidex, and GraphQL
- Created sites have no tracking or third-party cookies
Against
- Desktop app is early alpha
- GitLab free tier limits users, minutes, and storage
- Some integrations are marked coming soon
- Self-hosting requires managing infrastructure
The verdict
Silex offers several free ways to build and publish static websites, from GitLab-hosted projects to offline desktop editing and self-hosting. Its open-source model and integration options suit users who want control over deployment and data.
Who it suits
Silex suits web professionals, students, teams seeking static-site performance, and agencies building multiple client sites. It also fits users who want cloud hosting, offline desktop editing, or self-managed infrastructure.
Plans and prices
Cloud
Standard website builder features · GitLab Pages hosting · Custom domain name · CMS integrations
Read 19 Sep 2026 · silex.me
Desktop app
offline editing · no account · all Silex features · local MCP server
Read 15 Oct 2026 · silex.me
Cloud with a free gitlab.com account
standard builder · GitLab Pages hosting · custom domain · CMS/11ty integrations
Read 15 Oct 2026 · silex.me
Self-hosted
all features · custom storage backends · own domain · GrapesJS/11ty plugins
Read 15 Oct 2026 · silex.me
Custom development
custom Silex plugins · GrapesJS components · 11ty integrations · API connectors
Read 15 Oct 2026 · silex.me
On the record
- 11ty integration
- Silex can generate static sites through Eleventy (11ty) and deploy them with CI/CD.github.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- AI
- The desktop page says an experimental on-device AI assistant is included; the services page lists a local MCP server for AI integration.silex.me · read 8 Oct 2026
- API support
- Silex supports any GraphQL API as a CMS or data source.silex.me · read 8 Oct 2026
- Browser support
- The web editor officially tests the latest two Chrome and Firefox versions; Safari has known issues and mobile browsers are unsupported for editing.docs.silex.me · read 15 Oct 2026
- Changelog practice
- In March 2026 Silex announced that release notes moved to GitHub for clearer diffs and notifications.community.silex.me · read 15 Oct 2026
- CMS data model
- Silex fetches live content from GraphQL APIs and binds fields to visual elements through expressions and states.docs.silex.me · read 15 Oct 2026
- CMS integrations
- Officially available CMS/data integrations are WordPress, Directus and Squidex; Strapi and Supabase are listed as coming soon.silex.me · read 15 Oct 2026
- Deployment
- Listed deployment options include GitLab Pages, FTP/SFTP, ZIP download, and CapRover; YunoHost is marked coming soon.silex.me · read 8 Oct 2026
- Desktop AI
- The desktop app includes an experimental on-device AI assistant and a local MCP server for compatible AI tools.silex.me · read 15 Oct 2026
- Desktop app
- Silex Desktop is an early-alpha local application for Windows, macOS and Linux that edits offline and publishes to a local folder without an account.silex.me · read 15 Oct 2026
- Desktop platforms
- The desktop app runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux.silex.me · read 8 Oct 2026
- Documentation depth
- Documentation includes designer tutorials, CMS guides, publishing instructions, self-hosting, configuration, connectors, plugins, build customization and release verification.docs.silex.me · read 15 Oct 2026
- Free tier limits
- The GitLab free tier has a five-user maximum per private group, 400 CI/CD minutes per month per namespace, and 10 GB total storage.silex.me · read 8 Oct 2026
- Funding
- The project says Silex Desktop is funded by NLnet through the NGI0 Commons Fund with European Commission NGI support.silex.me · read 15 Oct 2026
- Hosting integrations
- Publishing targets include GitLab Pages, FTP/SFTP, ZIP download and CapRover, with YunoHost listed as coming soon.silex.me · read 15 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The services page lists WordPress, Directus, and Squidex as available CMS or data integrations, with Strapi and Supabase marked coming soon.silex.me · read 8 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The maker describes Silex as suited to web professionals building multiple sites, students learning design, teams needing static-site performance, and agencies scaling client work.silex.me · read 8 Oct 2026
- Licence
- Silex is released as free/libre software under the GNU AGPL licence.github.com · read 15 Oct 2026
