Side by side
btw vs Silex
Both stand on personal website builders. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan Self-hostedWeb
Choose btw if you want a personal writing site with blogging, notes and a profile, especially if you want an open source self-hosting option. The free plan uses a btw.so subdomain; users seeking a custom domain would need Pro, which is not open to the public yet.
Visit btw Free plan Open source APILinuxMac+3
Silex offers free ways to build and host sites across cloud, desktop, and self-hosted setups. The choice of plan determines who handles hosting and infrastructure.
Visit SilexThe facts
| btw | Silex | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Yes |
| Runs on | Self-hosted, Web | API, Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Web, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Pro: $99 a year | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 2 | 5 |
| Maker | Not published | Silex |
| Website | btw.so | silex.me |
| On personal website builders | #4 of 36 | #1 of 36 |
btw: what it does well
- Combines a blog, publishable notes and a profile.
- Maker says coding and design skills are not required.
- Open source version can be self-hosted.
- Free Hobby plan includes unlimited notes.
- Includes an email contact and a Discord community link.
What to know first
- Pro is not open to the public yet.
- The free plan publishes on a btw.so subdomain.
- A custom domain is listed on Pro, not Hobby.
Silex: what it does well
- All three listed plans are free.
- Desktop app works offline without an account.
- Cloud plan includes CMS integrations and versioning.
- Custom domains are supported.
- Available for web, Windows, macOS, and Linux.
What to know first
- Self-Hosted requires users to manage infrastructure.
- Cloud hosting is through GitLab Pages.