I’m looking for a free and open-source website builder that lets me create and export full HTML websites, something beyond basic one-page generators. Ideally, I’d like to build multiple pages, include images, sidebars, links, and more, without being locked into a hosted platform or having to pay to unlock essential features.
I already own a domain and prefer to self-host, but I’m not ready to dive deep into hand-coding everything in HTML/CSS just yet. My current site feels too limited, and I want a better workflow without learning everything from scratch right now.
Has anyone here used a solid open-source site builder that supports this kind of setup? Bonus if it’s lightweight, extensible, and developer-friendly when I eventually decide to go deeper.
Hey there! I’ve been working in web development for about 6 years, and in that time, I’ve tried quite a few open-source website builder tools that support multi-page sites and exportable HTML. One of my favorites is Grav CMS. It’s been a lifesaver for client projects where I needed quick deployments without the bulk of WordPress.
It’s open-source, super lightweight, and runs on flat files, so no database headaches. You can easily build multi-page sites and export or version-control everything. There’s a bit of a learning curve with Markdown and YAML, but once you’re comfortable, it’s incredibly powerful and dev-friendly. It’s perfect if you want freedom without getting boxed in.
Totally agree with @vindhya.rddy! I’m a designer who’s crossed into development over the past few years, and I’ve been exploring open-source website builder tools that support multi-page sites and exportable HTML for similar reasons. If you’re leaning toward a visual builder but still want clean code you can export, definitely check out Pinegrow’s free Community Edition.
While not fully open-source, it offers a great balance letting you build multi-page static sites and export all HTML/CSS. I used it when moving from Wix to a self-hosted setup, and the exported code was surprisingly tidy and easy to edit. It’s awesome if you’re visual but don’t want to get stuck in a proprietary ecosystem.
Both great recommendations! I’ve been building static sites for non-tech clients for the last 5 years, so I’ve also hunted for open-source website builder tools that support multi-page sites and exportable HTML. Another excellent option is Publii. It’s open-source and super friendly for users who don’t want to touch code,but it’s also flexible enough if you do. You can create multi-page static sites, customize themes, and export the full HTML structure to host anywhere you like.
One thing I love is that it works offline, making it perfect for drafting on the go. Plus, when you’re ready to tweak layouts or drop in custom code, it won’t fight you like some other platforms. Great for both beginners and devs who want control.