Skip to content
SPECIFICTION
Get listed

Silex

silex.me

Free plan Open source WebWindowsmacOSLinuxAPISelf-hosted
Visit silex.me
Spec score 8.8 #17 of 70 in Website builders

What it is

Silex is a visual builder for static websites, with a visual editor, CMS integration, and several publishing choices. It is free and open source under the AGPL license, and can be used as a cloud service, desktop app, or self-hosted setup. The Cloud option publishes through GitLab Pages and supports custom domains and automatic CI/CD builds. Listed CMS and data connections include WordPress, Directus, and Squidex; any GraphQL API can also serve as a CMS or data source. Publishing choices include GitLab Pages, FTP/SFTP, ZIP download, and CapRover. The free GitLab tier has a five-user maximum per private group, 400 CI/CD minutes per month per namespace, and 10 GB total storage. Self-hosted GitLab CE has no user or storage limits, according to the maker, and supports Docker, CapRover, or npx. Silex Desktop is an early-alpha app for Windows, macOS, and Linux; it edits offline, publishes to a local folder, and needs no account. An experimental on-device AI assistant is included in the desktop app, and a local MCP server is listed for AI integration. The maker says sites have no tracking or third-party cookies and user data is not for sale. The listed Cloud and Self-Hosted plans are free, and Desktop is free.

Spec sheet

What it does
Silex is a free visual builder for static websites that can also display dynamic data.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Product
Silex is a visual builder for static websites with a visual editor, CMS integration, and hosting options.Read 8 Oct 2026 · silex.me
Intended users
The maker describes Silex as suited to web professionals building multiple sites, students learning design, teams needing static-site performance, and agencies scaling client work.Read 8 Oct 2026 · silex.me
Deployment
Listed deployment options include GitLab Pages, FTP/SFTP, ZIP download, and CapRover; YunoHost is marked coming soon.Read 8 Oct 2026 · silex.me
Free plan
YesRead 19 Sep 2026 · silex.me
Integrations
The services page lists WordPress, Directus, and Squidex as available CMS or data integrations, with Strapi and Supabase marked coming soon.Read 8 Oct 2026 · silex.me
Privacy
The privacy policy says local operation stores files on the user's device and Silex does not collect or store those local files.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.silex.me
Support
Users can get community help through chat and forums, report bugs, or purchase support and consulting services.Read 8 Oct 2026 · docs.silex.me
Headquarters
Paris, FranceRead 28 Sep 2026 · silex.me
Founded
2009Read 28 Sep 2026 · silex.me
11ty integration
Silex can generate static sites through Eleventy (11ty) and deploy them with CI/CD.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
AI
The desktop page says an experimental on-device AI assistant is included; the services page lists a local MCP server for AI integration.Read 8 Oct 2026 · silex.me
API support
Silex supports any GraphQL API as a CMS or data source.Read 8 Oct 2026 · silex.me
Browser support
The web editor officially tests the latest two Chrome and Firefox versions; Safari has known issues and mobile browsers are unsupported for editing.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.silex.me
Changelog practice
In March 2026 Silex announced that release notes moved to GitHub for clearer diffs and notifications.Read 15 Oct 2026 · community.silex.me
CMS data model
Silex fetches live content from GraphQL APIs and binds fields to visual elements through expressions and states.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.silex.me
CMS integrations
Officially available CMS/data integrations are WordPress, Directus and Squidex; Strapi and Supabase are listed as coming soon.Read 15 Oct 2026 · silex.me
Desktop AI
The desktop app includes an experimental on-device AI assistant and a local MCP server for compatible AI tools.Read 15 Oct 2026 · silex.me
Desktop app
Silex Desktop is an early-alpha local application for Windows, macOS and Linux that edits offline and publishes to a local folder without an account.Read 15 Oct 2026 · silex.me
Desktop platforms
The desktop app runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux.Read 8 Oct 2026 · silex.me
Documentation depth
Documentation includes designer tutorials, CMS guides, publishing instructions, self-hosting, configuration, connectors, plugins, build customization and release verification.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.silex.me
Free tier limits
The GitLab free tier has a five-user maximum per private group, 400 CI/CD minutes per month per namespace, and 10 GB total storage.Read 8 Oct 2026 · silex.me
Funding
The project says Silex Desktop is funded by NLnet through the NGI0 Commons Fund with European Commission NGI support.Read 15 Oct 2026 · silex.me
Hosting integrations
Publishing targets include GitLab Pages, FTP/SFTP, ZIP download and CapRover, with YunoHost listed as coming soon.Read 15 Oct 2026 · silex.me
Licence
Silex is released as free/libre software under the GNU AGPL licence.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Limit: bugs and slowness
A G2 reviewer mentions occasional bugs and server slowness, while another Trustpilot reviewer describes a steep learning curve.Read 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Limit: CSS coverage
A G2 reviewer reports that not all CSS rules are available and that an external CMS is needed for data connections.Read 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Limit: evolving features
A G2 reviewer says the open-source project evolves continuously, so users may wait for some new features.Read 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Maker and history
Silex is maintained by Silex Labs, a French nonprofit based in Paris, and the maker says the project began in 2009.Read 8 Oct 2026 · silex.me
Maker founded
LinkedIn lists Silex Labs as founded in 2009 with one employee.Read 15 Oct 2026 · linkedin.com
Maker type
Silex Labs is a Paris-based nonprofit foundation focused on sustaining free and open-source projects.Read 15 Oct 2026 · linkedin.com
Open source
Silex is free and open-source software licensed under AGPL.Read 8 Oct 2026 · silex.me
Plugin API
Developers can extend client and server behavior through documented plugin APIs and custom hosting or storage connectors.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.silex.me
Plugin licensing
Silex says plugins may use any license, including proprietary licenses, because they are not bundled derivative works.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.silex.me
Praise: ease and price
G2 reviewers repeatedly praise Silex as free, easy to use and suitable for no-code site creation.Read 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Praise: learning
G2 and Trustpilot reviewers say Silex helps them learn or improve HTML and CSS while building sites.Read 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Praise: precision and export
Trustpilot reviewers praise the builder's graphical precision, responsive design and ability to download a ZIP for custom JavaScript.Read 15 Oct 2026 · trustpilot.com
Project history
The project describes itself as maintained since 2009 by Alex Hoyau and the Silex community.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Publishing
The free cloud option uses GitLab Pages and supports custom domains and automatic CI/CD builds.Read 8 Oct 2026 · silex.me
Rating on G2
4.5 out of 5 from 3 reviewsRead 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Rating on Trustpilot
4.5 out of 5 from 8 reviewsRead 15 Oct 2026 · trustpilot.com
Responsive design
The documentation covers breakpoints and responsive techniques for adapting layouts to different screens.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.silex.me
Reusable components
Symbols let users create reusable headers, footers and other components across pages.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.silex.me
Security reporting
The security policy supports version 3, asks vulnerability reports to be emailed, and promises acknowledgement within 24 hours and a detailed response within 72 hours.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.silex.me
Self-hosting
A full multi-site instance can be run from source with Node.js, Docker or a CapRover deployment.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.silex.me
SEO
Per-page SEO settings include meta tags and Open Graph controls.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Software Advice listing
Software Advice lists Silex with pricing available on request and no user reviews yet.Read 15 Oct 2026 · softwareadvice.com
Static output
Silex exports standard HTML and CSS intended to be hosted on any provider.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
System requirements
Node-based installations require Node.js 20 or newer and pnpm; the GitLab connector requires GitLab 16 or newer.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.silex.me
Visual editor
The editor is based on GrapesJS and supports drag-and-drop page building plus HTML, CSS and JavaScript editing.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com

Plans and prices

Cloud Free Standard website builder features · GitLab Pages hosting · Custom domain name · CMS integrations · Collaboration and versioning Read 19 Sep 2026 · silex.me
Desktop app Free 0 € forever free offline editing · no account · all Silex features · local MCP server · local Git history · user-managed hosting/deployment/backups Read 15 Oct 2026 · silex.me
Self-Hosted Free All features included · Custom storage backends · Own domain · Self-managed infrastructure Read 19 Sep 2026 · silex.me
Cloud with a free gitlab.com account Free $0 forever standard builder · GitLab Pages hosting · custom domain · CMS/11ty integrations · collaboration/versioning · small teams Read 15 Oct 2026 · silex.me
Cloud with a free gitlab.com account Free $0 forever Standard website builder features · GitLab Pages hosting · custom domain · CMS integrations · collaboration and versioning · suitable for small teams Read 8 Oct 2026 · silex.me
Desktop app Free 0 € forever free Works offline · no account needed · local hosting and deployment managed by user · early alpha Read 8 Oct 2026 · silex.me
Self-hosted Priced on request $0 + your server all features · custom storage backends · own domain · GrapesJS/11ty plugins · GitLab pipelines · no GitLab limits Read 15 Oct 2026 · silex.me
Self-Hosted Free $0 + your server All features included · hosting requires your server · suitable for bigger teams Read 8 Oct 2026 · silex.me
Custom development Priced on request On quote custom Silex plugins · GrapesJS components · 11ty integrations · API connectors Read 15 Oct 2026 · silex.me

Every Silex plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free and open source under AGPL.
  • Cloud supports custom domains and automatic CI/CD builds.
  • Any GraphQL API can serve as a data source.
  • Desktop editing works offline and needs no account.

Limits

  • GitLab free tier limits private groups to five users.
  • GitLab free tier includes 400 CI/CD minutes monthly.
  • Desktop app is early alpha.
  • YunoHost deployment is marked coming soon.

Who it suits

Silex suits web professionals building multiple sites, students learning design, teams seeking static-site performance, and agencies scaling client work. It offers both managed cloud publishing and self-managed hosting.

Verdict

Silex offers several free ways to build and publish static sites, including cloud, desktop, and self-hosted options. Choose based on whether GitLab’s free-tier limits or self-managed infrastructure fit your setup.

Where Specifiction places it

Alternatives to SilexAll alternatives →