Semplice vs Silex
Semplice
semplice.comSilex
silex.meSide by side
| Figure | Semplice | Silex |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | Yes |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | — |
| API | — | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 3 | 9 |
| Spec score · Personal Website Builders | 8.5 (#13) | 8.6 (#11) |
| Free plan | No | Yes |
| Integrations | The feature page describes a Mailchimp module and video embed modules for YouTube and Vimeo. | The services page lists WordPress, Directus, and Squidex as available CMS or data integrations, with Strapi and Supabase marked coming soon. |
| Privacy | The privacy policy says the maker does not store credit card information and uses SSL when collecting financial information. | The privacy policy says local operation stores files on the user's device and Silex does not collect or store those local files. |
| Product | Semplice is a WordPress-based portfolio tool and theme for building portfolio pages or microsites. | Silex is a visual builder for static websites with a visual editor, CMS integration, and hosting options. |
| Rating on G2 | Semplice is rated 4.3 out of 5 from 2 reviews. | 4.5 out of 5 from 3 reviews |
| Rating on Trustpilot | The Semplice Trustpilot profile shows a 1.8 out of 5 TrustScore from 83 reviews, displayed as 2 out of 5. | 4.5 out of 5 from 8 reviews |
| Self-hosting | Semplice can be installed on a local server such as MAMP, and unactivated local installations do not consume a live-domain activation. | A full multi-site instance can be run from source with Node.js, Docker or a CapRover deployment. |
| Support | The maker says it does not provide direct support at this time, but offers free critical updates and a helpdesk. | Users can get community help through chat and forums, report bugs, or purchase support and consulting services. |
| System requirements | The January 2026 requirements article lists PHP 8.0+, MySQL 5.5.3+ or MariaDB 10+, and Apache mod_rewrite, with WordPress, hosting and a domain required. | Node-based installations require Node.js 20 or newer and pnpm; the GitLab connector requires GitLab 16 or newer. |
| Visual editor | The editor uses drag-and-drop modules and inline visual editing so pages can be built and revised directly on the canvas. | The editor is based on GrapesJS and supports drag-and-drop page building plus HTML, CSS and JavaScript editing. |
| What it does | Semplice 7 is a WordPress-based portfolio builder for designers and other creatives, using a visual grid editor without requiring templates or coding. | Silex is a free visual builder for static websites that can also display dynamic data. |
Plans
Silex
- CloudFree
- Desktop appFree
- Self-HostedFree
- Cloud with a free gitlab.com accountFree
- Cloud with a free gitlab.com accountFree
- Desktop appFree
- Self-hostedPriced on request
- Self-HostedFree
- Custom developmentPriced on request
In their own words
Silex
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.