Static Site Generators – Complete List [300+]

Even though it seems like an old way to build websites, Static Site Generators are a hot topic these days.

Matt Biilmann had recognized the trend back in 2015 though. He published an article titled “Why Static Site Generators Are The Next Big Thing” in SmashingMagazine and it’s kinda being true now.

So, what are these, and why are these so popular?

What are Static Site Generators (SSGs)?

Static Site Generators pre-generate the view of all the pages and keep it serve-ready. Unlike traditional web stacks, SSG-powered sites do not wait for a page to be requested to generate its view.

Static Site Generators
Image Source: Netlify Blog

Static Site Generators are comparatively very fast and consume lesser resources.

In my opinion, the main reasons to use a static site generator are:

  • Performance
  • Scalability, and
  • Security

So, which SSG should you go for?

Of course, it will depend on what & how you are building and what your requirements are.

Take a look at the top 5 SSGs below and understand which one you should choose:

Top 5 Static Site Generators

On JAMstack, there are more than 300 static site generators listed. Out of which, here are the top 5 ones:

1. Next.js

Next.js is a production-ready and React-based static site generator with the following main features:

  • hybrid static & server rendering
  • TypeScript support
  • smart bundling
  • i18n support for multi-language sites
  • route pre-fetching
  • automatic compilation and bundling
  • Next.js analytics

2. Hugo

Hugo is written in Go and it’s well-known for its speed and flexibility. Here are some of the main features of Hugo:

  • unlimited content types (taxonomies, menus)
  • dynamic API-driven content
  • pre-made templates for SEO, commenting, and analytics
  • i18n support for multi-language sites
  • multiple format content output option (HTML, AMP, JSON, etc.)

🚀 Also see: How to Install Hugo on Windows 11

3. Gatsby

Gatsby describes it as “One Front-end to Rule Them All”. Gatsby has a rich data plugin ecosystem which makes the process even easier and more flexible.

Here are the top features:

  • no-reload page changes
  • supports React.js components
  • see changes real-time with hot reload editing
  • pull data from anywhere: APIs, databases, CMSs, static files and many more
  • a huge 2000+ plugins library
  • intelligent prefetching, lazy loading, and image optimization

🚀 Gatsby vs Next.js – Full Comparison

4. Jekyll

Jekyll is based on Ruby (Liquid template) and is a simple static site generator perfect for personal, project, or organization websites.

Here are the top features:

  • easy hosting with GitHub pages
  • renders Markdown and Liquid templates
  • easiest to get started
  • supports front-end frameworks such as Bootstrap & Semantic UI
  • can be connected to CMS like CloudCannon, Forestry, and Netlify

5. Nuxt.js

Nuxt exports Vue.js web applications into simple static websites quickly.

Here are the main features:

  • isomorphic or universal rendering
  • pre-renders pages
  • powerful modular architecture
  • amazing bundle analyzer

300+ Static Site Generators [Detailed Table]

Here’s a list of more than 300 static site generators taken from Jamstack website:

[Sorted by GitHub Stars] & [Last Updated: 16 December 2020]

Static Site
Generators
LanguageTemplate(s)
Next.jsJavaScriptReact
HugoGoGo
GatsbyJavaScriptReact
JekyllRubyLiquid
NuxtJavaScriptVue
HexoJavaScriptEJS, Pug, Haml, Swig, Nunjucks, Mustache, Handlebars, Twig, Marko
SlateRubyMarkdown
GitBookJavaScriptJinja2
DocusaurusJavaScriptReact, Markdown
VuePressJavaScriptVue
DocsifyJavaScriptMarkdown, Vue
MkDocsPythonJinja2
PelicanPythonJinja2
UmiJSJavaScriptReact
React StaticJavaScriptReact
EleventyJavaScriptLiquid, Nunjucks, Handlebars, Mustache, EJS, Haml, Pug, JavaScript, HTML, Markdown
MetalsmithJavaScriptHandlebars, Any JS
GridsomeJavaScriptVue
BrunchJavaScriptAny JS
MiddlemanRubyERB, Tilt, Haml
GrideaJavaScriptEJS
Sapper.jsJavaScriptSvelte
mdBookRustHandlebars
HarpJavaScriptEJS, Jade
ZolaRustTera
ExposeBashHTML
AssembleJavaScriptHandlebars
SphinxPythonJinja2
WintersmithCoffeeScriptJade
LektorPythonJinja2
CactusPythonDjango
PhenomicJavaScriptReact
DocpadCoffeeScriptEco, Any JS
beautiful-jekyllHTMLCustom
PublishSwiftMarkdown
PubliiJavaScriptHandlebars
HubPressJavaScriptHandlebars
DocFXC#Mustache, Liquid
HakyllHaskellHakyll
Bookdown (R)RR, R Markdown
NikolaPythonJinja2, Mako
R MarkdownRR, R Markdown
NanocRubyERB, eRuby, Mustache, Haml, Slim
ScullyJavaScript, TypeScriptAngular
VitePressJavaScriptVue
OctopressRubyLiquid
JigsawPHPBlade
markdown-stylesJavaScriptHandlebars
HydePythonJinja2
makesite.pyPythonHTML
RootsCoffeeScriptJade
Static Site BoilerplateJavaScriptHTML
SculpinPHPTwig
WheatJavaScriptCustom
Statiq.NetRazor, Markdown
BlogdownRR, R Markdown
PunchJavaScriptMustache
bashblogBashGPL-3.0-only
PollenRacketLGPL-3.0-only
RoutifyJavaScriptSvelte
InkPaperGoMarkdown, Go
FlatmarketJavaScriptAny JS
simpleJavaScriptMarkdown
CryogenClojureSelmer
CobaltRustLiquid
SilexJavaScriptHTML
JBakeJavaFreemarker, Groovy, Thymeleaf, Jade
Elder.jsJavaScriptSvelte
WP2StaticPHPUnlicense
CouscousPHPTwig
FrogRacketRacket
DocpressJavaScriptMarkdown
Enduro.jsJavaScriptHandlebars
Frozen-FlaskPythonJinja2
RuhohRubyMustache
GorGoMustache
pretzel.NetLiquid
PoetJavaScriptJade
CabinJavaScriptJade, EJS
BlacksmithJavaScriptPlates
thumbsupJavaScriptMIT
AntwarJavaScriptReact
CuttlebelleJavaScriptReact
SpikeJavaScriptReshape
ColeslawLispClosure Templates
OrchidJava,KotlinPebble
GostaticGoGo
SpressPHPTwig
ObeliskElixirEEx, Haml
GrowPythonJinja2
ChargeJavaScriptReact, JSX
FranklinJuliaMIT
HeckleJavaScriptMold
PerunClojureHiccup
BlogofilePythonMako
PlentiGoSvelte
elm-pagesElmElm
ystHaskellStringTemplate
Cogear.JSJavaScriptEJS, Pug, Handlebars
YellowPHPPHP
TinkererPythonJinja2
CodedocTypeScriptMarkdown, JSX, TSX
AcrylamidPythonJinja, Mako
MadokoJavaScriptHTML
AwestructRubyHaml
WebbyRubyERB
Almace ScaffoldingRuby,JavaScriptLiquid
ReptarJavaScriptNunjucks
verlessGoGo
StatikPythonJinja2, Mustache
TechyJavaScriptCustom
SerumElixirEEx
BridgetownRubyLiquid, ERB, Haml, Slim
staticjinjaPythonJinja2
JunglejsJavaScriptSvelte
ProsopopeePythonJinja2
ZodiacAwkCustom
TagsPythonTags
NiftC++Custom
Gulp SiteJavaScriptHandlebars
AbellJavaScriptAbell
LuapressLuaMustache, LHTML
NanogenJavaScriptEJS
legoJavaScriptLiquid, Markdown, Nunjucks
UrubuPythonJinja2
ElmstaticElmElm
HastieGoGo
LingonJavaScriptEJS
GoPabloJavaScriptgulp-file-include
TarbellPythonJinja
SergeyJavaScriptHTML
gloriaJavaScriptHandlebars
empress-blogJavaScriptEmber, Markdown
GrainGroovyGroovy
blogcCCustom
PhotishRubySlim
RosidJavaScriptAny JS
graze.NetRazor
CecilPHPTwig
BlackholePHPTwig
django-distillPythonDjango
CleaverPHPBlade
StitcherPHPTwig, Smarty
SerifRubyLiquid
SitePipeHaskellMustache
wokPythonJinja2
Lambda PadErlangDjango
jusJavaScriptHandlebars
ZasGoGo
KulfonJavaScriptNunjucks, Org Mode, Markdown
underblogGoGo
WebgenRubyERB
StatamicPHPAntlers, HTML, Blade, Twig, Markdown
Broccoli TacoJavaScriptHandlebars
StatiePHPTwig, Latte
soupaultOCamlHTML, Jingoo
tinyjamJavaScriptEJS, Markdown
EnfieldCoffeeScriptLiquid
StyxNixNix
Wyam.NetRazor, Markdown
QPagePythonMIT
Bookdown (PHP)PHPAura View
JAQRubyLiquid
PlerdPerlTT2
tumblelogPerlHTML
tumblelogPythonHTML
HydrogenTypeScriptJavaScript
FledermausJavaScriptJSX
MotylRubyMustache
HepekScalaScala
OrnateScalaMarkdown
sblgCISC
GlayuElixirEEx
JennyBashBash
MinimalJavaScriptMustache
MimogearJavaScriptPug
CoilElixirEEx
docnadoPythonJinja2
pub-serverJavaScriptHandlebars
StogOCamlXML
CoryJavaScriptHandlebars
VitePythonJinja2
TemplerPerlHTML::Template
TclssgTclCustom
DimplesRubyTilt
MarkBindJavaScriptCustom
SuSiJavaScriptHTML
gist-txtJavaScriptMustache
MonkeymanScalaHaml
EasystaticJavaScriptEJS
SiteFiF#WebSharper UI
TomePHPTwig
SitioJavaScriptReact
PoloGoGo
drupanPythonJinja2
PyKwikiPythonJinja2
StaGenJavaStringTemplate
KotsuJavaScriptNunjucks
Misakai Baker.NetRazor
BakeC++HTML
DapperPerlTT3
PieCrust2PythonJinja
AceRubyHaml
finchOCamlJingoo
Starter ProjectJavaScriptPug
elm-starterElmElm
HastySiteNimMustache
WaffelJavaScriptNunjucks
adm-dev-kitJavaScriptPug
PlatframeJavaScriptPug, Jade
LitePubGoGo
BoltJavaScriptJade, Any JS
CMintSJavaScriptEJS
INTUITION.DEVTypeScriptPug
ReemJavaScriptConsolidate.js
Static LiteJavaScriptJade
UlkaJavaScriptUlka
SkyDocsJavaJtwig
GriffinJavaHandlebars
CopperSmithJavaScriptHandlebars
Go-Static!JavaScriptSwig
HauntSchemeSXML
QgodaPerlTemplate Toolkit 2
blogdownJavaScriptPug
ElsaPythonJinja2
ScalaticScalaMIT
SKFBashCustom
StacyJavaScriptHandlebars
TapestryPHPPlates
BlendedPythonHTML
MangonyJavaScriptHandlebars
StasisTypeScriptHandlebars
RincoJavaScriptMustache
StatiPHPLiquid
bashblog-ngBashGPL-3.0-only
IronBeard.NetRazor, Markdown
jssgJavaFreemarker
MinerlPerlHTML::Template
BlogoJavaScriptJade
HasClunkHaskellHTML
PagegenPythonPagegen
SphidoJavaScriptNunjucks
MakdocJavaScriptHandlebars
Staart SiteJavaScript,TypeScriptHandlebars
MuleifyJavaScriptCustom
Entu SSGJavaScriptPug, Markdown, Stylus
BootDownPythonMarkdown
BowmanJavaScriptEJS
DSSGDMustache
grunt-flatsJavaScriptHogan.js
mkws(1)BashBash
YASBEPythonMako
blog.shBashCustom
HalwaPythonJinja2
my_py_sitePythonHTML, Jinja2
pystaticPythonHTML
s2genScalaFreemarker
YassAdaAda
BloPythonJinja2
onessgJavaScriptAny JS
SpigniteJavaScriptNunjucks
WainwrightJavaScriptConsolidate.js
BookGenC#HTML
deadsimplelogJavaScriptHTML
ExpansiveC,EjscriptEjscript
GerablogRubyTenjin
GustavPHPPHP
LerretJavaScriptJade
OrisonJSJavaScriptlit-html
static-site-expressJavaScriptEJS
TropicalJavaScriptReact
BangPythonCustom
HikaruJavaScriptNunjucks
ScribingPHPPlates
TaftJavaScriptHandlebars
Mini Site GeneratorJavaScriptJavaScript
PFTPerlTT3
sudo_siteC++HTML, inja
WPWMM4M4,MakeBSD-2-Clause
AnodizeJavaScriptLiquid
AsimovJavaScriptHandlebars
Record CollectorC#Razor
AgoGoMIT
BakeItJavaScriptHandlebars, Mustache
GrusScalaScalaTags
igapyonv3JavaFreemarker
LastPHPTwig, PHP, Any Symfony
MagnanimousGoMagnanimous
SiteGenGoGo
ARFRJavaScriptHandlebars
TrioJavaScriptMIT
UsmuRubySlim, Markdown
WeaverRubyMIT
20fulJavaScriptNunjucks, Pug, JavaScript, Livescript, HTML, Markdown, CSS, Sass, Stylus
Generic Static Site GeneratorJavaScriptHTML
BasildonPHPTwig
idlisitePythonGoogle Docs
KartPythonJinja2
lastpage.Net,C#Mustache
OpenRatPHPMustache
PoltergeistJavaScriptNunjucks
SasigePHPPHP
SkuaPythonJinja2
Static MarkdownJavaScriptHandlebars
StatifyPythonJinja2
AntoraJavaScriptHandlebars
KeystoneJavaScriptCustom
LandspoutPythonTornado
Lazy Travel BlogPythonJSON
PoolePythonHTML
SaberJavaScriptVue
statik-siteJavaScriptMustache, Handlebars, Underscore, EJS, Pug, Art, Dot
Tiny SSGPythonJinja2
wgPythonJinja2

Pretty long, right?

Yes, it’s still growing day-by-day.

That’s it.


Now, it’s your turn.

Which Static Site Generator are you going to use? or, already using?

Let me know by dropping a quick comment.

Also, please share the article with the people who you think might be interested in reading it.

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4 Comments

  1. David Satime Wallin (@SatimeWallin) says:

    As the maintainer of bashblog-ng and the creator of Ago i’m glad to see them on the list and I’d say those two are my favorites 😉

    1. Thanks David!

      I haven’t used bashblog-ng yet, but I’m gonna try it right away.

      Also, can you provide more info about Ago?

      1. David Satime Wallin (@SatimeWallin) says:

        Ago springs from the idea that too many people focus too much on their website being nice looking with lots of effects and they ignore the user.

        A lot of website creators/owners doesn’t care if it takes 1 or 2 or 3 seconds to load their page as long as it looks cool and nice. I think this is a mindset that is utterly rude to the user since the user is almost always there for the content and the service not the look.

        Most users can probably not describe, in retrospec, how a website looks but rather if the content and the service was good. Ask any friend you have to – in detail – describe how the bbc.com looks. They will probably not be able to do so. But they might tell you if they consider the content of the site to be any good.

        Ago is a protest to the bloated web. Granted it is probably way too minimal for many uses but it focuses entirely on the content. Unless you modify the Go source code directly and recompile it you cannot change the layout or looks of the page.

        1. I get it.

          No one would ever want to visit a bloated website if the same info is available elsewhere.

          Cheers to you for working in a way to make the web better. 🥂

          Keep up the good work.

          Thanks a lot.