How lazysite compares
How lazysite differs from WordPress, Hugo, Ghost and Squarespace - and where each one still fits.
lazysite is a Markdown-driven website engine - no build step, no database, no CMS to maintain - with the dynamic features (forms, search, feeds, memberships, AI publishing) built in. Most tools people weigh it against fall into a few familiar camps, and the differences come down to a handful of recurring themes.
The recurring differences
- No database. WordPress and Ghost each run one; lazysite - like Hugo - serves plain files, so there is far less to secure, patch and back up. Why you don't need a database →
- No build step. Hugo compiles your site and you deploy the output; lazysite renders on request and caches, so a change is live the moment you save.
- Dynamic without a backend. Static generators can't do forms, search or sign-in without bolting on extra services; lazysite has them built in.
- You own the files. Squarespace keeps your site inside its platform and WordPress keeps content in a database; a lazysite site is portable text you can pick up and move.
- AI-first. Publishing is an API an assistant can drive, so an AI agent can run the site within rules you set. Let an AI agent run your site →
Compare lazysite head-to-head
Pick a platform for the complete, feature-by-feature table - architecture, capabilities, hosting, cost and more, each with its source:
lazysite vs WordPress
A mature PHP CMS with a database, a full admin UI and a vast plugin ecosystem.
WordPress is best for: Sites that need a point-and-click admin for non-technical editors, off-the-shelf plugins (e-commerce, membership, SEO), and a large pool of developers and agencies.
See the full comparison →lazysite vs Hugo
A very fast static-site generator that compiles Markdown to static files with Go templates.
Hugo is best for: Large, purely static sites maintained by developers who want a build pipeline, version-controlled deploys and a big theme ecosystem.
See the full comparison →lazysite vs Ghost
A modern publishing platform built around posts, paid memberships and email newsletters.
Ghost is best for: Professional publishers who want memberships, subscriptions and newsletters out of the box, on a Node and database stack.
See the full comparison →lazysite vs Squarespace
A hosted, all-in-one website builder with drag-and-drop design and a monthly subscription.
Squarespace is best for: Non-technical owners who want a fully managed, no-code builder and are happy to rent the platform.
See the full comparison →lazysite vs Wix
A hosted, all-in-one website builder with drag-and-drop design, a big template and app library, and a free ad-supported tier.
Wix is best for: Non-technical owners who want the widest drag-and-drop template and app selection in one fully hosted place.
See the full comparison →lazysite vs Substack
A hosted publishing and newsletter platform built around posts, email subscriptions and paid memberships.
Substack is best for: Writers who want a free, zero-setup newsletter with built-in discovery and paid subscriptions, and do not mind the platform cut and fixed layout.
See the full comparison →Prefer the source? The whole comparison dataset is public at comparisons.json.