Comparison
Next.js vs Gatsby: SSG and beyond
Once fierce competitors, they've diverged significantly. Here's how they compare today.
Next.js
Full-stack React framework with SSR, SSG, ISR, and Server Components. The dominant choice for modern web applications.
Gatsby
Static site generator with GraphQL data layer. Strong for content-heavy sites but has lost momentum.
| Feature | Next.js | Gatsby |
|---|---|---|
| Rendering Modes | SSR, SSG, ISR, Server Components | SSG, DSG (Deferred Static Gen) |
| Data Fetching | Flexible — any method, any source | GraphQL data layer (opinionated) |
| Build Speed | Fast — incremental builds | Slower on large sites |
| Dynamic Content | Excellent — SSR + API routes | Limited — primarily static |
| Ecosystem | Massive, rapidly growing | Shrinking, less active development |
| Deployment | Vercel, AWS, any platform | Gatsby Cloud (discontinued), Netlify |
| Community | Very large, active | Declining, many migrating away |
| Future Outlook | Strong — backed by Vercel | Uncertain — reduced investment |
When to choose each
Choose Next.js
Choose Next.js for virtually any web project — it handles everything from static marketing sites to complex SaaS applications with equal ease.
Choose Gatsby
Consider Gatsby only if you have an existing Gatsby project that's working well and doesn't need significant new features.
Our verdict
We exclusively use Next.js for new projects. Gatsby pioneered the modern static site experience, but Next.js has surpassed it in every meaningful way — build speed, rendering flexibility, ecosystem, and long-term support.
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