Jekyll vs ModX

Jekyll and ModX are both popular content management systems, but they cater to different needs. Jekyll is a static site generator, ideal for simple websites and blogs, while ModX is a more robust platform suitable for complex websites with dynamic content.

General information

Jekyll
ModX
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 :
ModX is an open-source content management system that was launched in 2004. It is known for its flexibility and scalability, making it a popular choice for developers and designers looking to create custom websites. ModX allows for easy customization and management of content, making it a versatile platform for a wide range of projects. Its robust features and active community support contribute to its popularity among users.
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 :
  • Highly customizable and flexible design options
  • Robust security features to protect websites
  • Easy to use and navigate for beginners
  • Extensive plugin library for added functionality
  • Strong community support for troubleshooting and guidance
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 :
  • Steeper learning curve than some platforms
  • Limited number of available plugins and extensions
  • Less user-friendly interface for beginners
  • Requires more technical knowledge for customization
  • Limited community support compared to other platforms
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 : Hundreds of thousands
ModX is used by hundreds of thousands of websites worldwide, making it a popular choice among content management systems.
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.
Moderate learning curve with basic web development skills required. Resources available for beginners, but may take time to fully grasp.
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 : 2005
ModX was launched in 2005, making it one of the older content management systems available for website development.
Official website : https://jekyllrb.com/
Official website : https://modx.com/


Commercial details

Jekyll
ModX
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.
ModX is fully open source and written in PHP. The entire platform can be customized and extended 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.
โšช Free option : Unknown.
There may be free options available for ModX, but further research is needed to confirm the details and limitations.
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.
ModX offers a paid option for users looking for advanced features, additional support, and a more robust hosting solution.


Platform details

Jekyll
ModX
๐ŸŸข Hosted : Yes.
Jekyll can be hosted on various platforms, including free options like GitHub Pages or paid options through hosting providers.
โšช Hosted : Unknown.
Hosted options may be available through third-party vendors, but direct hosting by ModX is unclear. Further research is needed for confirmation.
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.
ModX offers a self-host option, allowing users to choose their own hosting provider for more control and customization.
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.
๐ŸŸก Headless CMS : Supported via plugin.
ModX does not natively support headless architecture but can be achieved through plugins and API integrations for headless features.
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.
Static content generation can be achieved in ModX through popular plugins, offering flexibility and customization options for users.


Key features

Jekyll
ModX
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.
ModX offers robust content management capabilities through plugins, but may require additional customization for comprehensive content management functionality compared to native platforms.
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.
While ModX can support blogging with plugins, it is not its primary focus. Consider platforms like WordPress for a more robust native blogging experience.
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 E-commerce : Supported via plugin.
ModX can be used for e-commerce with the help of popular plugins like SimpleCart or Commerce, offering flexibility and customization options.
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.
๐ŸŸก Community forum : Supported via plugin.
ModX can support a community/forum with plugins like SimpleCart and SimpleForum, but it may require additional setup compared to platforms with native forum features.
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.
ModX does not natively support content subscriptions/paywalls but can be enhanced by popular third-party plugins/extensions.


Other features

Jekyll
ModX
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.
ModX does not support multi-site natively but can be enhanced by popular third-party plugins/extensions for multi-site 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 Multi-language : Supported via plugin.
Multi-language support in ModX is typically achieved through the use of third-party plugins/extensions, offering robust options for creating multilingual websites.
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.
Support for XML sitemaps can be enhanced by popular third-party plugins/extensions in ModX.


When choosing between Jekyll and ModX, consider the scale and complexity of your project. For smaller, straightforward sites, Jekyll’s simplicity and speed make it a great choice. However, for larger, more dynamic websites, ModX’s flexibility and advanced features may be the better option. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your specific requirements and technical expertise.