Gridsome vs Jekyll

Gridsome and Jekyll are both static site generators that allow for fast and efficient website development. Gridsome is a modern framework based on Vue.js, offering a more dynamic and interactive approach to building websites. On the other hand, Jekyll is a simpler and more traditional static site generator that is easy to use and great for basic websites.

General information

Gridsome
Jekyll
Introduction :
Gridsome is a modern website development framework for creating fast, secure, and dynamic websites using Vue.js. Launched in 2017, Gridsome is open-source and gaining popularity for its simplicity, performance, and flexibility. It allows developers to build static websites with dynamic capabilities, making it a popular choice for those looking to create high-performing websites with modern technologies.
Introduction :
Jekyll is a static site generator that was launched in 2008 and is open source. It has gained popularity for its simplicity, speed, and security. Jekyll is widely used by developers and bloggers who prefer a lightweight and flexible platform for creating websites. Its ease of use and compatibility with version control systems like Git make it a popular choice for those looking to build fast and secure websites.
Advantages :
  • Fast static site generation
  • GraphQL data layer for efficient data fetching
  • Extensive plugin ecosystem
  • SEO-friendly with built-in optimizations
  • Easy integration with headless CMS platforms
Advantages :
  • Easy to use and setup for beginners
  • Large community for support and resources
  • Customizable with themes and plugins
  • Fast performance with static site generation
  • Secure with built-in features and updates
Disadvantages :
  • Limited plugin ecosystem
  • Steeper learning curve compared to WordPress
  • Less community support and resources
  • Limited built-in features compared to Shopify
  • Less flexibility for complex website designs
Disadvantages :
  • Limited built-in features compared to others
  • Steeper learning curve for beginners
  • Less user-friendly interface for non-developers
  • Limited theme options and customization capabilities
  • Smaller community support and resources
Website users : Thousands
Gridsome is used by thousands of websites, making it a popular choice for developers looking for a modern and efficient static site generator.
Website users : Over 1 million websites
Jekyll is a popular choice for static websites, with a significant user base due to its simplicity and flexibility.
๐ŸŸก Difficulty : Average.
Getting started with Gridsome may require some familiarity with Vue.js and GraphQL, but the documentation and community support can help navigate the learning curve.
๐ŸŸก Difficulty : Average.
Getting started with Jekyll requires basic knowledge of HTML, CSS, and Markdown. Some technical skills are needed, but resources are available for assistance.
Year launched : 2017
Gridsome was launched in 2017, making it a relatively new player in the CMS market compared to more established platforms.
Year launched : 2008
Jekyll was launched in 2008, making it one of the earlier content management systems available for users to create websites.
Official website : https://gridsome.org/
Official website : https://jekyllrb.com/


Commercial details

Gridsome
Jekyll
๐ŸŸข Open source : Fully.
Gridsome is fully open source and written in JavaScript. The entire platform is available for modification and contribution by the community.
๐ŸŸข Open source : Fully.
Jekyll is fully open source, written in Ruby. The entire platform is available for modification and customization by the community.
๐ŸŸข Free option : Yes.
Gridsome offers a free option with basic features, making it a cost-effective choice for those on a budget or looking to test the platform.
๐ŸŸข Free option : Yes.
Jekyll offers a free option with basic features. Users can host their site for free on platforms like GitHub Pages.
๐ŸŸข Paid option : Yes.
Gridsome offers a paid option for users looking for additional features and support, providing a more comprehensive experience.
๐ŸŸข Paid option : Yes.
Jekyll offers a paid option for added features and support, providing users with more customization and assistance for their websites.


Platform details

Gridsome
Jekyll
โšช Hosted : Unknown.
Gridsome does not offer a directly hosted option, but users may find third-party vendors providing hosting services for Gridsome sites.
๐ŸŸข Hosted : Yes.
Jekyll can be hosted on various platforms, including free options like GitHub Pages or paid options through hosting providers.
โšช Self host : Unknown.
Gridsome can be self-hosted, but details on self-hosting options are not clearly specified. Third-party vendors may offer hosting services.
๐ŸŸข Self host : Yes.
Self-hosting is possible with Jekyll, allowing users to choose their own hosting provider for more control and customization.
๐ŸŸก Headless CMS : Supported via plugin.
Gridsome is not inherently headless but can be used as a headless system with plugins and API integrations for decoupled architecture.
๐ŸŸก Headless CMS : Supported via plugin.
Jekyll does not natively support headless functionality but can be extended with plugins to enable headless features via APIs.
๐ŸŸข Static content generation : Support natively.
Gridsome natively supports static content generation, allowing for fast and efficient website performance without the need for additional plugins.
๐ŸŸข Static content generation : Support natively.
Jekyll natively supports static content generation, making it efficient for creating and managing static websites without the need for additional plugins.


Key features

Gridsome
Jekyll
๐ŸŸก Content management : Supported via plugin.
Gridsome offers content management capabilities through plugins, making it a good platform for managing content with additional customization options.
๐ŸŸก Content management : Supported via plugin.
Jekyll requires plugins for advanced content management features, making it less user-friendly compared to platforms with native content management capabilities.
๐ŸŸก Blogging : Supported via plugin.
Gridsome can be enhanced for blogging with plugins like Gridsome Source Filesystem for markdown files, but it's not native to the platform.
๐ŸŸก Blogging : Supported via plugin.
Jekyll can be enhanced by popular plugins for blogging features, but it may require additional setup compared to platforms with native blogging capabilities.
๐Ÿ”ด E-commerce : Not supported.
Gridsome is not specifically designed for e-commerce, lacking native e-commerce features. However, it can potentially be enhanced with third-party plugins/extensions.
๐Ÿ”ด E-commerce : Not supported.
Jekyll is not specifically designed for e-commerce functionality. It may require significant customization or integration with third-party plugins for e-commerce capabilities.
๐ŸŸก Community forum : Supported via plugin.
Gridsome does not have native support for community/forum features but can be enhanced with third-party plugins/extensions for this functionality.
๐ŸŸก Community forum : Supported via plugin.
Jekyll can be used for a community/forum with the help of plugins like Jekyll Talk, but it requires additional setup compared to platforms with native forum features.
โšช Content subscription : Unknown.
Support for content subscriptions/paywalls is not a native feature of Gridsome and availability of third-party plugins/extensions is uncertain.
๐ŸŸก Content subscription : Supported via plugin.
Content subscriptions/paywalls can be supported through third-party plugins/extensions, enhancing Jekyll's functionality in this area.


Other features

Gridsome
Jekyll
๐ŸŸก Multi-site : Supported via plugin.
Gridsome does not support multi-site natively but can be achieved through the use of third-party plugins or extensions.
๐ŸŸก Multi-site : Supported via plugin.
Jekyll does not support multi-site natively but can be enhanced by popular plugins like jekyll-multilingual and jekyll-multiple-languages-plugin.
๐ŸŸก Multi-language : Supported via plugin.
Gridsome does not have native multi-language support but can be enhanced with plugins like @gridsome/plugin-i18n for multi-language functionality.
๐ŸŸก Multi-language : Supported via plugin.
Multi-language support in Jekyll can be achieved through plugins like jekyll-multiple-languages-plugin, offering flexibility for internationalization needs.
๐ŸŸก XML Sitemaps : Supported via plugin.
Gridsome does not support XML sitemaps natively but can be enhanced with popular third-party plugins/extensions for this functionality.
๐ŸŸก XML Sitemaps : Supported via plugin.
Jekyll does not natively support XML sitemaps but can be enhanced with popular plugins like jekyll-sitemap for this functionality.


When choosing between Gridsome and Jekyll, consider your project requirements and technical expertise. If you need a more dynamic and feature-rich website with Vue.js capabilities, Gridsome is the way to go. However, if you prefer a straightforward and easy-to-use platform for simpler websites, Jekyll might be the better choice. Ultimately, the decision should be based on your specific needs and familiarity with the technologies involved.