HTMLy 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 | HTMLy | Textpattern |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 56 · Fair | 78 · Good |
| Category | Blogging Platforms | Blogging Platforms |
| License | MIT | GPL-2.0 |
| Language | PHP | PHP |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal, source | docker, bare-metal, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 1,364 | ★ 881 |
| First released | 2014 | 2004 |
| Replaces | WordPress, Blogger | WordPress, Blogger |
What are HTMLy and Textpattern?
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
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
HTMLy vs Textpattern: key differences
Both projects are written in PHP. Licensing differs — MIT for HTMLy versus GPL-2.0 for Textpattern. HTMLy is the lighter option, starting around 128 MB of RAM against 256 MB for Textpattern. Textpattern is the more established project (first released 2004), while HTMLy arrived in 2014.
Why pick each one
Choose HTMLy if…
- No database to maintain
- Fast and lightweight
Watch out for
- Limited plugin ecosystem
- Small community
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 HTMLy or Textpattern better?
HTMLy 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 HTMLy and Textpattern free and open-source?
Yes. HTMLy is licensed under MIT and Textpattern under GPL-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run HTMLy and Textpattern with Docker?
HTMLy: yes. Textpattern: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, HTMLy or Textpattern?
HTMLy has the smaller minimum footprint at 128 MB of RAM, compared to about 256 MB for Textpattern. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.