Astro vs Gatsby: Head-to-Head Comparison

Quick Verdict

Astro is the better pick for content sites, blogs and marketing pages. Gatsby is the better pick for existing Gatsby sites that source data through GraphQL.

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At a Glance

Feature	Astro	Gatsby
Best For	Content sites, blogs and marketing pages	Existing Gatsby sites that source data through GraphQL
Pricing	Free and open source	Free and open source
Free to Start	Yes	Yes
License	Open source	Open source
Deployment	Library / framework in your stack	Library / framework in your stack
Link	Visit Astro	Visit Gatsby

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Detailed Breakdown

Astro

Content-focused web framework with islands architecture

Pros:

• Ships zero JavaScript by default
• Mix React, Vue and Svelte components
• Excellent Markdown and content collections

Cons:

• Not ideal for highly interactive apps
• Smaller ecosystem than Next.js

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Gatsby

React static site generator with a GraphQL data layer

Pros:

• Large plugin library
• GraphQL layer unifies data sources
• Strong image handling

Cons:

• Development has slowed significantly
• Build times grow with site size

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Key Differences

• Positioning: Astro — content-focused web framework with islands architecture. Gatsby — React static site generator with a GraphQL data layer.
• Both share the same licensing model (open source), so the decision comes down to features and workflow fit.
• Pricing: Astro — free and open source. Gatsby — free and open source.
• Signature strength: Astro — ships zero JavaScript by default. Gatsby — large plugin library.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Astro better than Gatsby?

It depends on your requirements. Astro is a strong fit for content sites, blogs and marketing pages, while Gatsby suits existing Gatsby sites that source data through GraphQL.

Is Astro free to use?

Yes, you can start with Astro for free. Pricing model: Free and open source.

Is Gatsby free to use?

Yes, you can start with Gatsby for free. Pricing model: Free and open source.

Can I self-host Astro or Gatsby?

Astro runs inside your own stack: library / framework in your stack. Gatsby runs inside your own stack: library / framework in your stack.

What are the main drawbacks of Astro and Gatsby?

Astro: not ideal for highly interactive apps; smaller ecosystem than Next.js. Gatsby: development has slowed significantly; build times grow with site size.