Pelican
UnclaimedGenerate static websites with Python, Markdown, or reStructuredText for fast, flexible publishing.
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Tracked since2026
0 reviews trackedThe Bottom Line
Entry price
Free, no paid tier
Biggest pro
Fast build times due to caching
Biggest con
Requires Python knowledge for setup and customization
TL;DR - Pelican
- Generates static sites using Python.
- Supports Markdown and reStructuredText for content.
- Features fast builds, themes, and a plugin ecosystem.
Pricing: Free forever
Best for: Individuals & startups
What is Pelican?
Pelican is a Python-based static site generator designed for creating blogs, articles, and static pages. It allows users to write content in popular markup formats like reStructuredText or Markdown, offering flexibility and ease of use for content creation. The tool focuses on fast build times through content caching and selective output writing, making it efficient for developers and content creators who prioritize performance.
Pelican is ideal for individuals and small teams looking for a lightweight, powerful, and extensible solution for publishing web content without the complexities of a database-driven CMS. It supports features like site themes using Jinja2 templates, multi-language publication, and integration with external services, providing a comprehensive toolkit for static site development. Its rich plugin ecosystem further enhances its capabilities, allowing users to customize and extend its functionality to suit specific project needs.
Available on: Web, macOS, Linux, Windows
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Fast build times due to caching
- Flexible content creation with Markdown and reStructuredText
- Highly extensible through plugins
- Supports multiple languages and RSS/Atom feeds
- Easy to get started with a quickstart guide
Cons
- Requires Python knowledge for setup and customization
- May have a steeper learning curve for non-developers compared to GUI-based tools
- Limited to static site generation, not suitable for dynamic content requiring a database
Key Features
Write content in reStructuredText or Markdown markupChronological content (e.g., articles, blog posts) and static pagesIntegration with external servicesSite themes (created using Jinja2 templates)Publication of articles in multiple languagesGeneration of Atom and RSS feedsCode syntax highlighting via PygmentsImport existing content from WordPress, Dotclear, or RSS feeds
Pricing Plans
Pricing checked May 29, 2026
Pelican
Free
- Write content in reStructuredText or Markdown markup
- Chronological content (e.g., articles, blog posts) as well as static pages
- Integration with external services
- Site themes (created using Jinja2 templates)
- Publication of articles in multiple languages
- Generation of Atom and RSS feeds
- Code syntax highlighting via Pygments
- Import existing content from WordPress, Dotclear, or RSS feeds
- Fast rebuild times due to content caching and selective output writing
- Extensible via a rich plugin ecosystem: Pelican Plugins
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Pelican FAQ
What is Pelican?
Pelican is a static site generator written in Python. It allows you to create websites, blogs, and articles from content written in reStructuredText or Markdown, generating static HTML files that can be hosted anywhere.
How much does Pelican cost?
Pelican is open-source software and is completely free to use.
Is Pelican free?
Yes, Pelican is free and open-source software.
Who is Pelican for?
Pelican is for developers, bloggers, and content creators who prefer to write content in Markdown or reStructuredText and want a fast, flexible, and extensible static site generation solution using Python.
Source: getpelican.com