Pelican

Free plan LinuxMacWindows

What Pelican is

Pelican is a free static site generator written in Python that builds websites from text files. It creates static files that can be hosted by any web server or hosting service, without requiring a database or server-side programming. Content can be written in Markdown, reStructuredText, or HTML using an editor of your choice. Pelican supports chronological articles such as blog posts, static pages, themes, multilingual articles, Atom and RSS feeds, and code syntax highlighting. Themes use Jinja2 templates, and custom code can be used to customize them. Pelican can import content from WordPress, Dotclear, or RSS feeds, and community plugins can add features without changing its 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. It supports Linux, macOS, and Windows. The repository identifies its license as AGPL-3.0; the free plan has no free trial. The FAQ directs users to Pelican Discussions for suggestions or problems.

Who it suits

Pelican suits people who want to build and publish static websites from text files using a command-line tool. It may fit those comfortable choosing their own editor, hosting service, and deployment approach.

What it does well

Free static site generator
Accepts Markdown, reStructuredText, and HTML
Supports themes, multilingual articles, and feeds
Imports from WordPress, Dotclear, or RSS feeds
Runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows

What to know first

No free trial
Theme customization uses custom code
Community plugin support and interoperability may vary

Limits

Pelican is free and has no free trial. Community plugins may differ in support and interoperability.

Getting started

Open the Pelican website
Install Pelican on Linux, macOS, or Windows
Write content in Markdown, reStructuredText, or HTML
Choose or customize a Jinja2 theme
Build the static website
Publish the generated files through a web server, rsync over SSH, or GitHub Pages

Verdict

Pelican offers a text-based route to static sites with multiple content formats and deployment options. Its command-line workflow and custom-code theme customization may not suit people seeking a hosted, no-code site builder.

Questions

What license does Pelican use?

The project repository identifies its license as AGPL-3.0.

Which operating systems are supported?

The installation documentation lists Linux, macOS, and Windows.

Can Pelican import existing content?

Yes. It can import content from WordPress, Dotclear, and RSS feeds.

What formats can I write in?

Content can be written in Markdown, reStructuredText, or HTML.

Where can generated sites be hosted?

Generated static files can be served by any web server or hosting service.

Facts from Pelican's own pages

Audience: Pelican is suited to people who want to build and publish static websites from text files using a command-line tool. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Blog analytics: Yes · github.com, 22 Sept 2026
Builds: Content caching and selective output writing help speed up rebuilds. · docs.getpelican.com, 11 Oct 2026
Content formats: You can write content in Markdown, reStructuredText, or HTML using your editor of choice. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Deployment options: The documentation describes deployment using rsync over SSH and publishing through GitHub Pages. · docs.getpelican.com, 11 Oct 2026
Feeds and languages: Pelican can publish articles in multiple languages and generate Atom and RSS feeds. · docs.getpelican.com, 11 Oct 2026
Free plan: Yes · github.com, 22 Sept 2026
Hosting: Pelican generates static files that can be served by any web server or hosting service. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Imports and extensibility: Pelican can import content from WordPress, Dotclear, or RSS feeds and can be extended with community plugins. · docs.getpelican.com, 11 Oct 2026
Imports and plugins: Pelican can import content from WordPress, Dotclear, or RSS feeds and can be extended with plugins. · docs.getpelican.com, 11 Oct 2026
Installation: The installation documentation lists Linux, macOS, and Windows as supported client operating systems. · docs.getpelican.com, 11 Oct 2026
Integrations: Pelican can interface with version control systems and webhooks. · docs.getpelican.com, 11 Oct 2026
License: The project repository identifies its license as AGPL-3.0. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Output: It generates static websites that can be hosted anywhere. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Plugin support: Plugins can add features without modifying Pelican’s core, and community plugins may vary in support and interoperability. · docs.getpelican.com, 11 Oct 2026
Product: Pelican is a static site generator written in Python that builds websites from text files. · docs.getpelican.com, 11 Oct 2026
Post scheduling: Yes · github.com, 22 Sept 2026
Site content: Pelican supports chronological articles, such as blog posts, and static pages. · docs.getpelican.com, 11 Oct 2026
Site features: Pelican supports articles and pages, themes, multilingual articles, Atom and RSS feeds, and code syntax highlighting. · docs.getpelican.com, 11 Oct 2026
Support: The FAQ directs users to Pelican Discussions for suggestions or problems and to the feedback guidelines for questions. · docs.getpelican.com, 11 Oct 2026
Theme customization: custom code · github.com, 22 Sept 2026
Themes: Themes use Jinja2 templates. · docs.getpelican.com, 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. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026