Bashblog vs HTMLy
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted blogging platforms options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | Bashblog | HTMLy |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 76 · Good | 56 · Fair |
| Category | Blogging Platforms | Blogging Platforms |
| License | GPL-3.0 | MIT |
| Language | Shell | PHP |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 32 MB | 128 MB |
| Deployment | bare-metal, source | docker, bare-metal, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 1,931 | ★ 1,364 |
| First released | 2012 | 2014 |
| Replaces | WordPress, Blogger | WordPress, Blogger |
What are Bashblog and HTMLy?
Bashblog
Bashblog is an extremely minimal blog engine implemented as a single Bash script. It generates static HTML pages from posts written in a terminal, ideal for hackers who want the simplest possible blog.
- Single Bash script
- Static HTML output
- Terminal-based authoring
- Zero dependencies beyond Bash
HTMLy
HTMLy is an open-source databaseless flat-file blogging platform written in PHP. It is fast, lightweight, and stores all posts as text files for easy backup and migration.
- Databaseless flat-file storage
- Markdown content
- Multi-user roles
- Built-in themes
Bashblog vs HTMLy: key differences
Bashblog is written in Shell, while HTMLy is built with PHP. Licensing differs — GPL-3.0 for Bashblog versus MIT for HTMLy. Bashblog is the lighter option, starting around 32 MB of RAM against 128 MB for HTMLy. Bashblog is the more established project (first released 2012), while HTMLy arrived in 2014. HTMLy lists first-class Docker deployment; Bashblog does not.
Why pick each one
Choose Bashblog if…
- Incredibly minimal
- No runtime to maintain
Watch out for
- Very bare-bones
- No admin interface
Choose HTMLy if…
- No database to maintain
- Fast and lightweight
Watch out for
- Limited plugin ecosystem
- Small community
Frequently asked questions
Is Bashblog or HTMLy better?
Neither is universally better. Bashblog has the larger community; both share a easy setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are Bashblog and HTMLy free and open-source?
Yes. Bashblog is licensed under GPL-3.0 and HTMLy under MIT. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Bashblog and HTMLy with Docker?
Bashblog: check the project docs for container support. HTMLy: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Bashblog or HTMLy?
Bashblog has the smaller minimum footprint at 32 MB of RAM, compared to about 128 MB for HTMLy. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.