Gridea vs Hexo
Which should you use? A side-by-side look at what each one does, who it suits, what it costs, how hard it is to set up, and where each falls short.
Open source · MIT
A desktop app for writing Markdown posts that publish to a static blog.
Open source · MIT
A Node.js tool that turns Markdown posts into a static blog website.
The short answer
Choose Gridea if you need…
- Bloggers who want to own their content as plain static files
- People who prefer writing in Markdown on a desktop app
- Writers who want to sync their blog source folder through OneDrive, iCloud or Dropbox
- Users who want to add Gitalk or DisqusJS comments to a static blog
Choose Hexo if you need…
- Bloggers who want a fast static site they fully control
- Developers already comfortable with Node.js and the command line
- People who want to deploy to GitHub Pages or similar hosts with one command
- Writers who prefer working in Markdown
Side-by-side
| Gridea | Hexo | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | App | Framework |
| Price | Free and open source | Free and open source |
| Licence | MIT | MIT |
| GitHub stars | 10.2k | 41.8k |
| Setup difficulty | Beginner | Intermediate |
| How you get it | Download the app | Install with a package manager |
| Main language | TypeScript | TypeScript |
| Last code update | 3 years ago | 10 days ago |
What each one is
Gridea
Gridea is a desktop writing app for people who want a blog without running a database or server. You write posts in a Markdown editor, add images and labels, and the app generates a static website you can host on platforms such as GitHub Pages. It runs on Windows, macOS and Linux, and is built with Electron, Vue and TypeScript.
Hexo
Hexo is an open-source blog framework built on Node.js. You write posts in Markdown, and it generates a folder of plain static HTML files that you can host almost anywhere. The README describes it as fast and extensible, with themes and plugins available for customization.
Best for
Gridea
- Bloggers who want to own their content as plain static files
- People who prefer writing in Markdown on a desktop app
- Writers who want to sync their blog source folder through OneDrive, iCloud or Dropbox
- Users who want to add Gitalk or DisqusJS comments to a static blog
Hexo
- Bloggers who want a fast static site they fully control
- Developers already comfortable with Node.js and the command line
- People who want to deploy to GitHub Pages or similar hosts with one command
- Writers who prefer working in Markdown
Strengths
Gridea
- Writes in Markdown and generates a static site, so the output is simple files
- Available on Windows, macOS and Linux with an interface in several languages
- MIT licensed and open source
Hexo
- The README describes it as fast at generating sites
- Supports GitHub Flavored Markdown and most Octopress plugins
- Large ecosystem of themes and plugins, and an API for extension
Not ideal for
Gridea
- People who want a hosted blog with no setup, since the README describes publishing to static hosts like GitHub Pages
- Users who need a mobile or web-only editor, because the README only lists desktop platforms
- Teams needing collaborative editing, which the README does not mention
Hexo
- People who want a no-code, hosted blogging service, since Hexo requires installing and running Node.js tools
- Non-technical users who are uncomfortable with the terminal, since setup uses commands like npm and hexo server
- Sites needing dynamic server-side features, since Hexo generates static files
Trade-offs
Gridea
- The README itself says the project is young and has shortcomings
- Last push in the metadata is July 2023, so recent maintenance is unclear
- Setup for development requires Node.js and yarn, and the README gives little detail on publishing steps
Hexo
- Requires Node.js and command-line familiarity to set up and use
- Output is static, so dynamic features need other tools or services
- Quality and maintenance of third-party themes and plugins vary and are not covered by the README
Getting started
Gridea
Download a prebuilt release from the releases page
https://github.com/getgridea/gridea/releasesHexo
Install Hexo CLI globally
npm install hexo-cli -gInstall with Homebrew (macOS and Linux)
brew install hexoFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between Gridea and Hexo?
Gridea: A desktop app for writing Markdown posts that publish to a static blog. Hexo: A Node.js tool that turns Markdown posts into a static blog website. Gridea suits bloggers who want to own their content as plain static files, while Hexo suits bloggers who want a fast static site they fully control.
Are Gridea and Hexo free?
Gridea: Free and open source. Hexo: Free and open source.
Which is easier to set up, Gridea or Hexo?
Gridea is easier to get started with (rated beginner); Hexo is rated intermediate and usually needs more setup.
Is Gridea or Hexo more popular?
Hexo has more GitHub stars (41.8k) than Gridea (10.2k). Popularity isn't the same as fit — check which one matches your use case above.
What are other alternatives to Gridea and Hexo?
Other options people compare them with include Jekyll, Decap CMS, Vuestic Admin, PicGo, ZY Player.
Keep comparing
Built from our catalogue entries for both products: open-source details come from each project's README (AI-assisted, refreshed weekly) and GitHub data; AI-tool details are editorial. Spotted something wrong? Let us know from either product's page.