Comparing 11ty and WordPress for Modern Web Projects

When choosing between WordPress and Eleventy for your next web project, the decision often comes down to a fundamental question: do you prioritize ease of use or maximum performance? Recent benchmarks show static sites can load 10x faster than their dynamic counterparts, but that speed comes with trade-offs. This comparison examines real-world performance data, actual costs, and practical use cases to help developers and site owners make an informed choice.

Core Technology Differences: Static vs Dynamic Architecture

WordPress: PHP/MySQL Dynamic Generation

WordPress generates pages on-demand using PHP and MySQL. Each visitor request triggers server-side processing: database queries fetch content, PHP assembles the page, and the server delivers HTML. This process typically takes 200-500ms even with good hosting.

Modern WordPress installations rely heavily on caching plugins like WP Rocket or W3 Total Cache to store static versions of dynamic pages, essentially mimicking what static site generators do natively.

Eleventy: Node.js Static Site Generation

Eleventy pre-builds all pages during development. The Node.js-based generator compiles Markdown, data files, and templates into pure HTML files. These files deploy directly to CDNs, eliminating server processing entirely.

The JAMstack approach means your “server” is just a file host. No PHP execution, no database queries, no security vulnerabilities from server-side code.

Performance Comparison: WordPress vs Eleventy Speed Tests

Real-World Loading Times

Testing identical content on both platforms reveals stark differences:

• WordPress (optimized): 1.2-2.5s First Contentful Paint
• Eleventy on CDN: 0.2-0.5s First Contentful Paint

Lighthouse scores tell a similar story:

• WordPress averages 65-85 for performance
• Eleventy consistently hits 95-100

Core Web Vitals particularly favor static sites, with Eleventy achieving near-perfect CLS (Cumulative Layout Shift) scores due to predictable, pre-rendered content.

Scalability Under Traffic

WordPress sites require increasingly powerful servers as traffic grows. A viral post can crash shared hosting, forcing emergency upgrades. Eleventy sites serve from CDN edge locations worldwide, handling traffic spikes without additional configuration or cost.

Security Analysis: Attack Surfaces and Vulnerabilities

WordPress Security Considerations

WordPress powers 43% of the web, making it a prime target. Common vulnerabilities include:

• SQL injection through plugins
• Brute force login attempts (thousands daily on average sites)
• Outdated plugin exploits
• File upload vulnerabilities

Security requires constant vigilance: updates, monitoring, firewalls, and backup strategies.

Eleventy’s Security Advantages

Static sites eliminate most attack vectors. No database means no SQL injection. No server-side processing means no code execution exploits. The only remaining concerns are:

• CDN account security
• Build pipeline protection
• Client-side JavaScript vulnerabilities

Total Cost Comparison: Beyond Hosting

WordPress Cost Breakdown

• Hosting: $10-100/month (shared to managed)
• Premium theme: $50-100 one-time
• Essential plugins: $200-500/year
• Security/backup service: $100-200/year
• Developer customization: $50-150/hour

Annual total: $500-2000+ for a professional site

Eleventy Cost Analysis

• Hosting: $0-20/month (Netlify, Vercel)
• Development time: 20-40 hours initial setup
• Ongoing maintenance: Minimal
• No plugin fees: Everything’s code-based

Annual total: $0-240 plus initial development investment

Customization and Development Experience

WordPress Customization

Full Site Editing (FSE) transforms WordPress customization. Non-developers can modify headers, footers, and layouts visually. The plugin ecosystem offers 60,000+ options for any conceivable feature.

However, plugin quality varies dramatically. Each addition potentially impacts performance and security. Premium plugins often require annual licenses, creating ongoing costs.

Eleventy Development Workflow

Eleventy offers unmatched flexibility for developers. Mix template languages freely—use Nunjucks for layouts, Markdown for content, and JavaScript for data processing. The build process is transparent and customizable.

Git-based workflows enable powerful collaboration. Every change is tracked, reversible, and deployable through CI/CD pipelines.

Content Management: WYSIWYG vs Markdown

WordPress Content Creation

WordPress excels at content creation for non-technical users. The block editor provides intuitive visual editing. Media management handles uploads, resizing, and galleries automatically. Revision history tracks changes with easy rollback.

Eleventy Content Workflow

Markdown offers precise control and portability. Front matter manages metadata cleanly. Version control provides superior revision tracking. For non-technical users, headless CMS options like Forestry or Sanity add visual editing to static sites.

Real-World Use Cases: When to Choose Each Platform

WordPress Excels For:

• Multi-author blogs where writers need easy publishing tools
• E-commerce sites leveraging WooCommerce’s features
• Membership sites with user accounts and restricted content
• Client projects requiring self-service content updates

Eleventy Optimal For:

• Developer portfolios showcasing technical skills
• Documentation sites with version-controlled content
• High-traffic blogs prioritizing performance
• Marketing sites needing perfect Core Web Vitals scores

Migration Considerations: Moving from WordPress to Eleventy

Migrating typically takes 6-20 hours depending on site complexity. Key steps include:

1. Export content using WordPress to Hugo Exporter (works for Eleventy too)
2. Convert post metadata to front matter format
3. Set up URL redirects to preserve SEO
4. Migrate images and optimize delivery
5. Implement dynamic features (search, comments) using services like Algolia or Disqus

Making the Decision: Practical Framework

Choose WordPress when:

• Non-technical users need content control
• Complex functionality requires established plugins
• Budget favors ongoing costs over upfront development

Choose Eleventy when:

• Performance is critical
• Security concerns are paramount
• Technical team can handle development
• Long-term costs need minimization

Conclusion

The WordPress vs Eleventy decision isn’t about which platform is “better”—it’s about matching technology to requirements. WordPress remains unbeatable for non-technical users needing powerful features quickly. Eleventy delivers superior performance, security, and cost efficiency for teams with technical capabilities.

Consider your team’s skills, performance requirements, and long-term maintenance plans. Both platforms can create excellent websites. Success depends on choosing the right tool for your specific needs.

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