Jekyll vs Pelican: What are the differences?

Introduction

In this article, we will explore the key differences between Jekyll and Pelican, two popular static site generators.

1. Templating Language: Jekyll uses Liquid templating language, while Pelican uses Jinja2. Liquid is more beginner-friendly and has simpler syntax, making it easier for non-programmers to understand and use. On the other hand, Jinja2 is more powerful and flexible, allowing for complex templating scenarios and advanced functionality.

2. Language Support: Jekyll primarily uses Ruby, while Pelican is built with Python. This difference in programming languages can have an impact on customization and development aspects. Ruby is known for its concise and elegant syntax, while Python is often praised for its readability and ease of use. So, if you are already familiar with one of these languages, it may influence your choice between Jekyll and Pelican.

3. Plugins and Extensions: Jekyll has a larger number of plugins and extensions available in its ecosystem compared to Pelican. This is mainly due to Jekyll's popularity and a longer time it has been around. However, Pelican still offers a decent collection of plugins and extensions, covering common needs for most websites. It's worth considering your specific requirements and checking the availability of required plugins before making your choice.

4. Configuration: Jekyll uses a default configuration file named _config.yml, which is written in YAML format. It allows you to specify various settings for your site, such as URL structure, theme selection, and metadata. On the other hand, Pelican uses a Python module named pelicanconf.py to handle its configuration. This allows for more flexibility and customization options, especially for those comfortable with Python.

5. Development Philosophy: Jekyll follows the convention over configuration principle, providing a set of predefined folder structures and naming conventions. This makes it easier to get started quickly and maintain consistent website organization. Pelican, on the other hand, provides more freedom and flexibility to define your own project structure and naming conventions. This can be advantageous for experienced developers who prefer a more customized setup.

6. Community and Support: Both Jekyll and Pelican have active communities and offer good documentation, which can assist users in resolving issues and finding resources. However, Jekyll, being more widely adopted and established, may have a larger community and a more extensive range of tutorials, guides, and user-contributed content available. This can be beneficial when it comes to seeking help, learning, and sharing knowledge.

In summary, Jekyll and Pelican differ in their templating language, programming language, plugin availability, configuration approach, development philosophy, and community support, allowing users to choose a static site generator that aligns best with their specific needs and preferences.