Pelican
Pelican is a free static site generator written in Python that turns text files into websites without a database or server-side programming.
What Pelican is
Pelican is a free static site generator written in Python that turns text files into websites without a database or server-side programming. It creates static files that can be hosted by any web server or hosting service. Content can be written in Markdown, reStructuredText, or HTML, using the editor of your choice. Pelican supports chronological articles and static pages, themes built with Jinja2 templates, multilingual articles, Atom and RSS feeds, and code syntax highlighting. It can import content from WordPress, Dotclear, or RSS feeds, while community plugins add features without changing Pelican’s core. Its documentation describes external service integrations, version control systems, web hooks, deployment with rsync over SSH, and publishing through GitHub Pages. Content caching and selective output writing help speed up rebuilds. The installation documentation lists Linux, macOS, and Windows as supported client operating systems. The project repository identifies its license as AGPL-3.0. The FAQ directs users to Pelican Discussions for suggestions or problems.
Good
- No database or server-side programming is required.
- Accepts Markdown, reStructuredText, and HTML.
- Static output can be hosted anywhere.
- Imports from WordPress, Dotclear, or RSS feeds.
- Supports Linux, macOS, and Windows.
Watch out
- It is a command-line tool.
- Plugin support and interoperability may vary.
- The project uses the AGPL-3.0 license.
Who it suits
Pelican suits people who want to build and publish static websites from text files using a command-line tool. It is a fit for users comfortable choosing hosting and working with themes, plugins, or deployment options.
Verdict
Pelican provides a text-file-based route to static websites, with multiple content formats, feeds, themes, and import options. It suits people prepared to work with a command-line tool and arrange hosting for the generated files.
The facts
Each one read from Pelican's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Audience
- Pelican is suited to people who want to build and publish static websites from text files using a command-line tool.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Blog analytics
- Yeschecked 22 Sep 2026
- Builds
- Content caching and selective output writing help speed up rebuilds.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Content formats
- You can write content in Markdown, reStructuredText, or HTML using your editor of choice.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Deployment options
- The documentation describes deployment using rsync over SSH and publishing through GitHub Pages.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Feeds and languages
- Pelican can publish articles in multiple languages and generate Atom and RSS feeds.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Hosting
- Pelican generates static files that can be served by any web server or hosting service.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Imports and extensibility
- Pelican can import content from WordPress, Dotclear, or RSS feeds and can be extended with community plugins.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Imports and plugins
- Pelican can import content from WordPress, Dotclear, or RSS feeds and can be extended with plugins.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Installation
- The installation documentation lists Linux, macOS, and Windows as supported client operating systems.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Pelican can interface with version control systems and webhooks.checked 11 Oct 2026
- License
- The project repository identifies its license as AGPL-3.0.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Output
- It generates static websites that can be hosted anywhere.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Plugin support
- Plugins can add features without modifying Pelican’s core, and community plugins may vary in support and interoperability.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Post scheduling
- Yeschecked 22 Sep 2026
- Product
- Pelican is a static site generator written in Python that builds websites from text files.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Site content
- Pelican supports chronological articles, such as blog posts, and static pages.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Site features
- Pelican supports articles and pages, themes, multilingual articles, Atom and RSS feeds, and code syntax highlighting.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Support
- The FAQ directs users to Pelican Discussions for suggestions or problems and to the feedback guidelines for questions.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Theme customization
- custom codechecked 22 Sep 2026
- Themes
- Themes use Jinja2 templates.checked 11 Oct 2026
- What it does
- Pelican is a Python static site generator that turns text files into websites without requiring a database or server-side programming.checked 11 Oct 2026
Money
- Free plan
- Yeschecked 22 Sep 2026
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