Write.as vs Jekyll

Jekyll and Write.as are both popular platforms for creating and managing online content. Jekyll is a static site generator that offers flexibility and control over website customization, while Write.as is a simple and minimalist platform focused on distraction-free writing and publishing.

General information

Write.as
Jekyll
Introduction :
Write.as is a minimalist and privacy-focused platform launched in 2015. It offers a distraction-free writing experience with a strong emphasis on anonymity and privacy. Write.as is open source, allowing users to self-host their content if desired. Popular for its simplicity and clean design, it appeals to writers looking for a no-frills platform to share their thoughts and ideas without the distractions of traditional blogging platforms.
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 :
  • Clean and distraction-free writing environment
  • Privacy-focused with no ads or tracking
  • Easy to use with minimal learning curve
  • Supports Markdown for formatting
  • Ability to publish anonymously or under a pseudonym
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 customization options compared to other platforms
  • Lack of built-in e-commerce functionality
  • Steeper learning curve for beginners
  • Limited third-party integrations available
  • Less robust community support and resources
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
Write.as is used by thousands of websites as a simple and privacy-focused platform for blogging and content creation.
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.
๐ŸŸข Difficulty : Easy.
Getting started on Write.as is straightforward with its simple interface and minimal setup requirements, making it accessible for beginners and non-technical users.
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 : 2015
Launched in 2015, Write.as is a relatively newer platform compared to others in the content management space.
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://write.as/
Official website : https://jekyllrb.com/


Commercial details

Write.as
Jekyll
๐ŸŸก Open source : Partially.
Write.as is partially open source, with the code for the core platform being available on GitHub, but some features are proprietary.
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.
Free option available with limited features. Hosted platform with basic functionality for personal blogging or simple websites.
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.
Write.as offers a paid option with additional features such as custom domains, password protection, and priority support for users looking for more advanced capabilities.
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

Write.as
Jekyll
โšช Hosted : Unknown.
Hosted options may be available through third-party vendors, but specific details on official hosted options are unclear.
๐ŸŸข Hosted : Yes.
Jekyll can be hosted on various platforms, including free options like GitHub Pages or paid options through hosting providers.
๐ŸŸข Self host : Yes.
Self-hosting is possible with Write.as, allowing users to have full control over their platform and data privacy.
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.
Write.as does not natively support headless systems but can be integrated with headless features through its API using plugins.
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 Static content generation : Supported via plugin.
Static content generation is possible on Write.as perhaps via a popular plugin, offering flexibility for users who prefer this feature.
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

Write.as
Jekyll
๐ŸŸก Content management : Supported via plugin.
Write.as offers basic content management capabilities but may require plugins for more advanced features compared to other platforms.
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.
๐ŸŸข Blogging : Support natively.
Write.as is a good platform for blogging with its simple and distraction-free interface, making it easy to focus on writing and publishing content.
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.
Write.as is not specifically designed for e-commerce functionality, lacking native features or popular plugins for online selling compared to other 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.
๐ŸŸก Community forum : Supported via plugin.
Write.as can support a community/forum with third-party plugins, offering enhanced functionality for user interaction and engagement.
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 Content subscription : Supported via plugin.
Supports content subscriptions and paywalls through third-party plugins, enhancing functionality for monetization options on the platform.
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

Write.as
Jekyll
๐ŸŸก Multi-site : Supported via plugin.
Multi-site functionality can be achieved through third-party plugins, offering flexibility and customization for managing multiple sites on Write.as.
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.
Support for multiple languages can be achieved through plugins like Polyglot or Multi-language on Write.as, enhancing its capabilities.
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.
Support for XML sitemaps can be added through a popular third-party plugin or extension, enhancing the platform's SEO capabilities.
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 Jekyll and Write.as, consider your needs for customization and simplicity. If you prefer more control over design and functionality, Jekyll may be the better choice. On the other hand, if you value a clean and straightforward writing experience, Write.as could be the ideal platform for you.