Bashblog vs Textpattern
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted blogging platforms options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | Bashblog | Textpattern |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 76 · Good | 78 · Good |
| Category | Blogging Platforms | Blogging Platforms |
| License | GPL-3.0 | GPL-2.0 |
| Language | Shell | PHP |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 32 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | bare-metal, source | docker, bare-metal, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 1,931 | ★ 880 |
| First released | 2012 | 2004 |
| Replaces | WordPress, Blogger | WordPress, Blogger |
What are Bashblog and Textpattern?
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
Textpattern
Textpattern is a long-established open-source CMS and blogging platform known for clean markup and a flexible tag-based templating system. It appeals to designers who want precise control.
- Tag-based templating
- Clean semantic markup
- Lightweight core
- Plugin support
Bashblog vs Textpattern: key differences
Bashblog is written in Shell, while Textpattern is built with PHP. Licensing differs — GPL-3.0 for Bashblog versus GPL-2.0 for Textpattern. Bashblog is the lighter option, starting around 32 MB of RAM against 256 MB for Textpattern. Textpattern is the more established project (first released 2004), while Bashblog arrived in 2012. Bashblog has the considerably larger community, at 1,931 GitHub stars versus 880. Textpattern 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 Textpattern if…
- Precise control over output
- Stable and lightweight
Watch out for
- Tag syntax has a learning curve
- Smaller plugin ecosystem
Frequently asked questions
Is Bashblog or Textpattern better?
Bashblog is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider Textpattern if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are Bashblog and Textpattern free and open-source?
Yes. Bashblog is licensed under GPL-3.0 and Textpattern under GPL-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Bashblog and Textpattern with Docker?
Bashblog: check the project docs for container support. Textpattern: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Bashblog or Textpattern?
Bashblog has the smaller minimum footprint at 32 MB of RAM, compared to about 256 MB for Textpattern. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.