Nibbleblog vs PluXml
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted blogging platforms options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | Nibbleblog | PluXml |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 7 · At risk | 76 · Good |
| Status | Archived | Actively maintained |
| Category | Blogging Platforms | Blogging Platforms |
| License | GPL-3.0 | GPL-2.0 |
| Language | PHP | PHP |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 128 MB |
| Deployment | bare-metal, source | bare-metal, docker, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 227 | ★ 235 |
| First released | 2009 | 2007 |
| Replaces | WordPress, Blogger | WordPress, Blogger |
What are Nibbleblog and PluXml?
Nibbleblog
Nibbleblog is a simple, lightweight blog engine written in PHP that stores its data in XML files rather than a database. It is designed for quick setup of a personal blog.
- No database required
- XML-based storage
- Plugin support
- Quick installation
PluXml
PluXml is an open-source blog and content management system that stores all content in XML files, requiring no database. It is lightweight and aimed at simple personal sites and blogs.
- XML flat-file storage
- No database required
- Theme and plugin support
- Lightweight
Nibbleblog vs PluXml: key differences
The biggest difference is maintenance: Nibbleblog's repository is archived and no longer developed, while PluXml is actively maintained. Both projects are written in PHP. Licensing differs — GPL-3.0 for Nibbleblog versus GPL-2.0 for PluXml. PluXml is the more established project (first released 2007), while Nibbleblog arrived in 2009. PluXml lists first-class Docker deployment; Nibbleblog does not.
Why pick each one
Choose Nibbleblog if…
- Very easy to install
- Easy to back up
Watch out for
- Development is inactive
- Limited features
Choose PluXml if…
- No database needed
- Easy to back up
Watch out for
- Smaller community
- Limited modern themes
Frequently asked questions
Is Nibbleblog or PluXml better?
Neither is universally better. PluXml has the larger community; both share a easy setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are Nibbleblog and PluXml free and open-source?
Yes. Nibbleblog is licensed under GPL-3.0 and PluXml under GPL-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Nibbleblog and PluXml with Docker?
Nibbleblog: check the project docs for container support. PluXml: yes.