Jekyll vs Directus

Directus and Jekyll are both content management systems, but they cater to different needs. Directus is a headless CMS that offers a flexible and customizable backend for managing content, while Jekyll is a static site generator that simplifies the process of creating and deploying websites.

General information

Jekyll
Directus
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.
Introduction :
Directus is a modern, open-source headless CMS that empowers users with a flexible and customizable content management system. Launched in 2014, Directus has gained popularity for its user-friendly interface, robust API capabilities, and ability to manage content across multiple platforms seamlessly. With its focus on flexibility and customization, Directus is a popular choice for developers and businesses looking for a versatile CMS solution.
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
Advantages :
  • Easy to use interface
  • Open-source and customizable
  • RESTful API for flexibility
  • Scalable for small to large projects
  • Active community for support and updates
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
Disadvantages :
  • Limited third-party integrations
  • Steeper learning curve for beginners
  • Less user-friendly interface compared to others
  • Lack of built-in e-commerce functionality
  • Limited community support and resources
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.
Website users : Thousands
Directus is used by thousands of websites worldwide, making it a popular choice for content management and data management needs.
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.
๐ŸŸก Difficulty : Average.
Getting started with Directus requires some technical knowledge, but the documentation and community support help ease the learning curve.
Year launched : 2008
Jekyll was launched in 2008, making it one of the earlier content management systems available for users to create websites.
Year launched : 2015
Directus was launched in 2015, making it a relatively newer option compared to other content management systems.
Official website : https://jekyllrb.com/
Official website : https://directus.io/


Commercial details

Jekyll
Directus
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 Open source : Fully.
Directus is fully open source, written in PHP. The entire platform is available for customization and contribution by the community.
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 Free option : Yes.
Directus offers a free, self-hosted option with full features, making it a cost-effective choice for those looking for flexibility and control.
๐ŸŸข Paid option : Yes.
Jekyll offers a paid option for added features and support, providing users with more customization and assistance for their websites.
๐ŸŸข Paid option : Yes.
Directus offers a paid option with additional features and support for users looking for more advanced capabilities and assistance.


Platform details

Jekyll
Directus
๐ŸŸข Hosted : Yes.
Jekyll can be hosted on various platforms, including free options like GitHub Pages or paid options through hosting providers.
๐ŸŸข Hosted : Yes.
Directus offers a hosted option through third-party vendors, providing convenience for users who prefer a managed hosting solution.
๐ŸŸข Self host : Yes.
Self-hosting is possible with Jekyll, allowing users to choose their own hosting provider for more control and customization.
๐ŸŸข Self host : Yes.
Self-hosting is possible with Directus, allowing users to have full control over their data and infrastructure through third-party vendors.
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 Headless CMS : Support natively.
Directus is a headless CMS, designed to be used as a backend for any type of frontend, making it a fully headless system.
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.
๐ŸŸก Static content generation : Supported via plugin.
Directus does not natively support static content generation but can potentially achieve this functionality via a popular plugin.


Key features

Jekyll
Directus
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 Content management : Supported via plugin.
Directus is a good platform for managing content with its robust features, but it may require additional plugins for full functionality.
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.
๐ŸŸก Blogging : Supported via plugin.
Directus can be used for blogging with the help of third-party plugins, offering some blogging functionality but not as robust as dedicated platforms.
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.
๐Ÿ”ด E-commerce : Not supported.
Directus does not have native e-commerce capabilities but can potentially be enhanced by third-party plugins for online selling 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.
๐Ÿ”ด Community forum : Not supported.
Directus does not have native features for community/forum functionality, but it can potentially be enhanced by third-party plugins/extensions.
๐ŸŸก Content subscription : Supported via plugin.
Content subscriptions/paywalls can be supported through third-party plugins/extensions, enhancing Jekyll's functionality in this area.
๐ŸŸก Content subscription : Supported via plugin.
Content subscriptions/paywalls can be implemented through third-party plugins/extensions, enhancing Directus' functionality in this area.


Other features

Jekyll
Directus
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-site : Supported via plugin.
Multi-site functionality is not natively supported in Directus, but can be achieved through third-party plugins or extensions.
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 Multi-language : Supported via plugin.
Multi-language support can be achieved through third-party plugins or extensions, enhancing Directus' core functionality for multilingual content management.
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.
๐ŸŸก XML Sitemaps : Supported via plugin.
XML sitemaps can be implemented through third-party plugins or extensions, enhancing Directus' functionality in this area.


When choosing between Directus and Jekyll, consider your specific requirements. If you need a dynamic and customizable backend for content management, Directus is the way to go. On the other hand, if you prefer a simpler and faster way to create static websites, Jekyll might be the better option. Ultimately, the choice depends on the level of control and flexibility you need for your project.