JBake vs Lume
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted blogging platforms options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | JBake | Lume |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Read-the-docs project |
| Health score | 54 · Fair | 86 · Excellent |
| Category | Blogging Platforms | Blogging Platforms |
| License | MIT | MIT |
| Language | Java | TypeScript |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 256 MB | 128 MB |
| Deployment | binary, source | source, binary |
| GitHub stars | ★ 1,159 | ★ 2,284 |
| First released | 2013 | 2021 |
| Replaces | Jekyll, WordPress | Jekyll, Hugo |
What are JBake and Lume?
JBake
JBake is a static site and blog generator written in Java that is geared towards developers wanting to produce documentation, websites, and blogs. It supports multiple markup and template engines.
- JVM-based generation
- Multiple template engines
- Markdown and AsciiDoc support
- Static output
Lume
Lume is a fast and flexible static site generator for the Deno runtime that supports many template engines and file formats out of the box. It is used to build blogs, documentation, and websites with minimal configuration.
- Built on Deno
- Many template engines
- Plugin system
- Fast static builds
JBake vs Lume: key differences
JBake is written in Java, while Lume is built with TypeScript. Lume is the lighter option, starting around 128 MB of RAM against 256 MB for JBake. JBake is the more established project (first released 2013), while Lume arrived in 2021.
Why pick each one
Choose JBake if…
- Released under the MIT license
- Active community (1.2k GitHub stars)
- Written in Java
- Tiny footprint — runs in 256 MB RAM
Choose Lume if…
- Released under the MIT license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- Active community (2.3k GitHub stars)
- Written in TypeScript
Frequently asked questions
Is JBake or Lume better?
Lume is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider JBake if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are JBake and Lume free and open-source?
Yes. JBake is licensed under MIT and Lume under MIT. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run JBake and Lume with Docker?
JBake: check the project docs for container support. Lume: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, JBake or Lume?
Lume has the smaller minimum footprint at 128 MB of RAM, compared to about 256 MB for JBake. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.