Eleventy (11ty) explained: the free, open-source JavaScript static site generator that supports 10+ template languages and zero-config builds.
Category
Developer Tools
Pricing
Open Source, from Free
Verified
Not yet
Last updated
July 18, 2026
Founded
2017
APIOpen SourceTemplatesSelf-Hosted
Overview
Eleventy (11ty) is a free, open-source static site generator written in JavaScript, created in 2017 by Zach Leatherman as a simpler, more flexible alternative to Jekyll.
It compiles Markdown, Nunjucks, Liquid, and other template formats into fast, dependency-free static HTML, and has been stewarded by Font Awesome since 2024 with Leatherman continuing as lead maintainer.
Key Features
Eleventy supports more than ten templating languages in a single project, requires zero client-side JavaScript by default, and offers a flexible data cascade for composing page, directory, and global data.
Its plugin ecosystem covers image optimization, RSS feeds, pagination, and internationalization, and its output is plain static HTML that can be deployed to any static host or CDN.
Pricing
Eleventy is completely free and open source under the MIT license, with no paid tiers, subscriptions, or usage limits for the core software.
Costs, if any, come only from optional third-party hosting or CI services used to build and deploy the resulting static site, not from Eleventy itself.
Key Features
Multi-template-language support — Write pages in Markdown, Nunjucks, Liquid, Handlebars, Pug, EJS, HAML, or plain HTML, all within the same project.
Zero required client-side JavaScript — Eleventy outputs plain static HTML by default, keeping sites fast and lightweight without forcing a JavaScript runtime on visitors.
Data cascade — Compose page, directory-level, and global data through JSON, JavaScript, or front-matter files for flexible content modeling.
Fast incremental builds — Eleventy rebuilds only what has changed during development, keeping local preview loops fast even on larger sites.
Plugin ecosystem — Official and community plugins add image optimization, RSS feeds, pagination, syntax highlighting, and internationalization support.
Framework-agnostic output — Eleventy does not require adopting React, Vue, or any other UI framework, giving developers full control over HTML output.
Deploy anywhere — Since the output is static HTML, sites can be hosted on any static host, CDN, or traditional web server.
Active open-source development — Maintained under Font Awesome stewardship since 2024, with regular releases such as version 3.0 and 3.1 improving speed and module support.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Completely free and open source with no paid tiers or usage limits
Produces fast, lightweight static HTML with no required client-side JavaScript
Supports many templating languages in the same project, easing migration from other generators
Widely used and well-documented within the Jamstack and JavaScript communities
Cons
Requires comfort with the command line and JavaScript tooling, unlike no-code website builders
Smaller plugin and theme marketplace compared to larger ecosystems like WordPress
Recent Font Awesome rebranding efforts ('Build Awesome') created community uncertainty about the project's direction
No built-in visual editor, so content authors need to work directly with source files or a headless CMS
Pricing
Open Source Free N/A
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Eleventy free to use?
Yes, Eleventy is completely free and open source under the MIT license, with no paid plans or usage restrictions.
Who created Eleventy?
Eleventy was created in 2017 by developer Zach Leatherman, and has been stewarded by Font Awesome since September 2024.
What templating languages does Eleventy support?
Eleventy supports more than ten template languages, including Markdown, Nunjucks, Liquid, Handlebars, Pug, EJS, HAML, and plain HTML, often mixed within the same project.
Does Eleventy require React or another JavaScript framework?
No. Eleventy is framework-agnostic and outputs plain static HTML with no required client-side JavaScript, though it can integrate with front-end frameworks if desired.
Is Eleventy the same as 'Build Awesome'?
In March 2026, Font Awesome introduced a rebrand called Build Awesome for the project, but the rebranding and an associated fundraiser were paused shortly after, and the 11ty name remains in active use as of mid-2026.
What is Eleventy commonly used for?
Eleventy is commonly used to build blogs, documentation sites, marketing pages, and portfolios where fast load times and SEO performance are priorities.