Static Site Generators

Hugo – fast framework for building websites

Hugo is one of the most popular open source static site generators.

Hugo uses Go’s html/template and text/template libraries as the basis for the templating. Go Templates are HTML files with the addition of variables and functions.

It is optimized for speed, ease of use, and configurability. Hugo takes a directory with content and templates and renders them into a full HTML website.

Hugo relies on Markdown files with front matter for metadata, and you can run Hugo from any directory. This works well for shared hosts and other systems where you don’t have a privileged account.

Hugo renders a typical website of moderate size in a fraction of a second. A good rule of thumb is that each piece of content renders in around 1 millisecond.

Hugo is designed to work well for any kind of website including blogs, tumbles, and docs.

Key Features

  • Takes data files, i18n bundles, configuration, templates for layouts, static files, and content written in Markdown, AsciiDoctor, or Org-mode and renders a static website.
  • Multilingual support.
  • Image processing.
  • Custom output formats.
  • Shortcodes.
  • Nested sections allow for different types of content to be separated.
  • Cross-platform support with binaries for Linux, FreeBSD, NetBSD, DragonFly BSD, Open BSD, macOS (Darwin), and Android for x64, i386 and ARM architectures. There’s also binaries for Windows.

Website: gohugo.io
Support: Documentation, GitHub Code Repository
Developer: Bjørn Erik Pedersen, Steve Francia and contributors
License: Apache License 2.0

Hugo is written in Go. Learn Go with our recommended free books and free tutorials.


Related Software

Go Static Site Generators
HugoFast framework for building websites
PlentiGo backend and Svelte frontend
InkPaperElegant static blog generator
HastieTakes Markdown text files, applies a template, and generates an HTML site
gostaticDependency tracking and re-rendering only changed pages
ZasBilled as the most simple static site generator ever
GoldsmithExtensible static website generator
GozerFast and simple static site generator
LitePubLightweight static blog generator
MagnanimousSimple and fast static website generator
UnderblogExtremely simple, fast static blog generator
KremsFor markdown-based blogs
SitegenSimple but flexible static site generator
verlessSimple and lightweight static site generator
HindsiteFast, lightweight static website generator
AgoSmall static blog generator without any fuzz

Read our verdict in the software roundup.

Lightweight Alternatives to WordPress
HugoFast framework for building websites
JekyllBlog-aware static site generator
GravSuper fast modern CMS focusing on speed and simplicity. No installation
PicoBlazing speed, flexibility, and a lightweight footprint
TextpatternFlexible, elegant and easy-to-use open source CMS
GetSimple CMSSaves all data to structured XML-files

Read our verdict in the software roundup.


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