11ty vs React-Static: What are the differences?

Introduction

In this article, we will compare and contrast 11ty and React-Static, two popular tools for building websites. We will highlight the key differences between these two technologies to help you understand which one may be better suited for your specific needs.

1. Configuration: One key difference between 11ty and React-Static lies in their configuration. 11ty uses a simple and flexible configuration approach, allowing developers to easily customize their static site generation process. On the other hand, React-Static offers a more opinionated configuration setup, providing a structured and guided approach to building static websites.

2. Data Sources: Another crucial difference is how these tools handle data sources. With 11ty, developers have the flexibility to use various data sources such as JSON, markdown, or even JavaScript functions. This allows for dynamic content generation. In contrast, React-Static primarily relies on external data sources or APIs to fetch and display data on the website.

3. Rendering: When it comes to rendering, 11ty takes a traditional server-side rendering (SSR) approach. This means that pages are pre-rendered and served to the client as static HTML files, providing fast loading times and good SEO compatibility. On the other hand, React-Static uses a hybrid rendering approach, where some pages are pre-rendered while others are rendered on the client-side using JavaScript. This can provide a more interactive user experience but may sacrifice some SEO benefits.

4. Component Structure: The way components are structured also differs between the two tools. With 11ty, components are typically written in JavaScript or templating languages like Nunjucks or Handlebars. This makes it easier to reuse and share components across different pages. Whereas in React-Static, components are written in React, offering a more modern and powerful component architecture with features like JSX and hooks.

5. Routing: The routing mechanisms of these technologies also differ. In 11ty, routing is file-based and follows the directory structure of the project, making it intuitive and easy to understand. React-Static, on the other hand, uses a configurable routing system, allowing developers to define routes explicitly in a dedicated configuration file.

6. Community and Ecosystem: Finally, the size and diversity of the communities and ecosystems surrounding these technologies vary. 11ty has gained popularity within the static site generation community, with a growing number of plugins and resources available. React-Static, being built on top of React, benefits from the vast React ecosystem and a larger community, providing access to a wider range of libraries and tools.

In summary, while both 11ty and React-Static offer solutions for building static websites, they differ in terms of configuration flexibility, data source handling, rendering approach, component structure, routing mechanisms, and community support. The choice between these tools depends on the specific requirements and preferences of your project.