MarkDownuts vs Pycora — PHP vs Python, Which Flat-File CMS Wins?
Two different approaches to the same problem: build fast websites without a database.
MarkDownuts — PHP Flat-File CMS
MarkDownuts is a flat-file CMS that runs on standard PHP hosting. Inspired by Jekyll and 11ty, but PHP-native. Made for developers who can’t leave shared hosting PHP.
Strengths: - Runs on any PHP shared host (cPanel, etc.) - No database required - Upload and go - Familiar to PHP developers
Weaknesses: - PHP runtime overhead - Limited performance compared to pure SSG
Pycora — Python Static Site Generator
Pycora is a pure Python SSG. Output is static HTML — no runtime, no database, no PHP.
Strengths: - Pure Python 3.8+ - Millisecond builds - Static HTML output — 0KB client JS - Deploy anywhere (Cloudflare, GitHub Pages, Vercel, Netlify) - Own 100% of the code
Weaknesses: - Requires Python in build environment - No direct server-side editing (rebuild required)
Comparison Table
| Aspect | MarkDownuts (PHP) | Pycora (Python) |
|---|---|---|
| Runtime | PHP | None (static) |
| Database | None | None |
| Hosting | Shared PHP | Static host |
| Content editing | Direct on server | Rebuild needed |
| Performance | Good | Excellent |
| Security | PHP surface | Zero attack surface |
| Best for | Shared PHP hosting | JAMstack, modern stack |
Which One Should You Pick?
Pick MarkDownuts if: - You’re stuck with shared PHP hosting - You need direct server-side content editing - Your team is PHP-native
Pick Pycora if: - You want maximum performance - You want the best security (zero attack surface) - You want true JAMstack
Why Pycora Pro?
MarkDownuts and Pycora are both from Axcora. But Pycora Pro is the most mature engine — full Medusa engine, gothic bento system, YAML-wired CMS sections. One payment, own forever.
Pycora Pro = JAMstack Python built by a lab that also understands PHP.
