Jekyll vs Micro.blog

Jekyll is a free, open-source tool that turns plain text into static websites and blogs. It combines Markdown, Liquid, HTML, and CSS with layouts, producing static files ready for deployment. Blog features include permalinks, categories, pages, posts, and custom layouts. A plugin system with hooks can generate content and extend builds without changing Jekyll itself. Community-maintained themes provide templates and styles, and site content can override theme files. Generated sites may be deployed manually, through automation, or with third-party services. GitHub Pages is powered by Jekyll and offers free hosting with custom domain support. Jekyll supports Linux, macOS, Windows, and self-hosted use. Installation requires Ruby 2.7.0 or higher, RubyGems, GCC, and Make. Safe mode requires explicit plugin permission through a whitelist. A volunteer core team maintains the project.

Micro.blog combines blog hosting with a social timeline and community for publishing short posts, essays, photos, podcasts, reading updates and links. Its chronological timeline omits trends, ads, boosts, like counts and follower counts. Posts can be scheduled, and blog posts can automatically cross-post to services including Mastodon, Bluesky and Threads. Publishing tools include video, podcasts, custom pages, themes and custom domains; theme customization can use custom code. Micro.blog lists APIs including JSON, Micropub, Webmention, IndieAuth, Microsub and ActivityPub, available to third-party developers at no charge. Native companion apps are listed for macOS, iOS and Android, alongside web and API access. The service says it has no ads and does not sell user data. Its privacy policy says hosted blog visitor logs include IP address, browser version and requested path, retained for up to two months. A free plan and a seven-day trial for new users are listed; paid plans start at $5 per month. Analytics are not offered.