Publii vs Starlight: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Publii and Starlight comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Publii
Open-source static CMS for building fast, secure, and privacy-compliant websites locally.
Best for you if:
- • You need cms features specifically
- • Open-source desktop CMS for static websites.
- • Generates fast, secure, and SEO-friendly sites.
Starlight
Documentation site builder by Astro
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.2/10 vs 0.0/10)
- • You need documentation features specifically
- • Starlight is a documentation framework built on Astro
- • It creates fast, accessible documentation sites with minimal config
| At a Glance |  Publii |  Starlight |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free |
Best For | CMS | Documentation |
Rating | —/100 | 82/100 |
| Feature | Publii | Starlight |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Free |
| Editorial Score | — | 82 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | CMSWebsite Builders | DocumentationStatic Site Generators |
How Publii and Starlight Compare
Publii
Open-source static CMS for building fast, secure, and privacy-compliant websites locally.
Free
Starlight
Documentation site builder by Astro
Free · 82/100 score
Publii is a cms tool. Starlight is in documentation.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are free. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Publii
Want the highest-rated option?
Starlight scores 82/100. Publii is unrated.
Go with: Starlight
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Starlight
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are free. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Publii is a cms tool. Starlight is in documentation. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Not all tools have been rated yet.
Key Takeaways
Starlight
- Higher score: 82/100 vs unrated
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Publii
- Better fit for cms
The Bottom Line
Starlight (82/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Publii or Starlight better?
Starlight scores 82/100 in our evaluation. Both are free.
What are Publii and Starlight used for?
Publii: Open-source static CMS for building fast, secure, and privacy-compliant websites locally.. Starlight: Documentation site builder by Astro.
What does Publii cost vs Starlight?
Publii is completely free. Starlight is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.