Next.js vs. Gatsby: Which Framework Should You Use?

Introduction

Choosing the right framework for your React-based project can significantly impact performance, developer experience, and scalability. Two of the most popular options—Next.js and Gatsby—offer powerful features for building modern web applications, but they cater to slightly different use cases.

Next.js, developed by Vercel, is a hybrid framework that supports static site generation (SSG), server-side rendering (SSR), and client-side rendering (CSR). Gatsby, on the other hand, is primarily a static site generator (SSG) with a strong focus on performance and data sourcing from various APIs or CMS platforms.

In this post, we’ll compare Next.js and Gatsby across key aspects like performance, data fetching, developer experience, and deployment to help you decide which framework best suits your needs.

Performance and Rendering Strategies

Next.js: Flexible Rendering Options

Next.js provides multiple rendering strategies, making it highly adaptable:

• Static Site Generation (SSG): Pre-renders pages at build time.
• Server-Side Rendering (SSR): Renders pages on each request.
• Client-Side Rendering (CSR): Loads content dynamically in the browser.

Here’s an example of SSG in Next.js:

// pages/blog/[slug].js  
export async function getStaticPaths() {  
  const res = await fetch('https://api.example.com/posts');  
  const posts = await res.json();  

  const paths = posts.map((post) => ({  
    params: { slug: post.slug },  
  }));  

  return { paths, fallback: false };  
}  

export async function getStaticProps({ params }) {  
  const res = await fetch(`https://api.example.com/posts/${params.slug}`);  
  const post = await res.json();  

  return { props: { post } };  
}  

export default function BlogPost({ post }) {  
  return <article>{post.title}</article>;  
}

Gatsby: Optimized Static Performance

Gatsby excels at pre-rendering and optimizing static sites with features like:

• Automatic image optimization
• Code splitting
• Built-in GraphQL data layer

Here’s how you fetch data in Gatsby:

// src/pages/blog.js  
import { graphql } from 'gatsby';  

export const query = graphql`  
  query {  
    allMarkdownRemark {  
      edges {  
        node {  
          frontmatter {  
            title  
          }  
        }  
      }  
    }  
  }  
`;  

export default function Blog({ data }) {  
  return (  
    <div>  
      {data.allMarkdownRemark.edges.map(({ node }) => (  
        <h2>{node.frontmatter.title}</h2>  
      ))}  
    </div>  
  );  
}

Key Takeaway:

• Use Next.js if you need hybrid rendering (SSG + SSR).
• Use Gatsby if you prioritize static performance and GraphQL-based data sourcing.

Data Fetching and APIs

Next.js: API Routes and Flexible Data Fetching

Next.js allows API routes for backend logic and supports REST, GraphQL, or any data source.

Example of an API route:

// pages/api/hello.js  
export default function handler(req, res) {  
  res.status(200).json({ message: 'Hello from Next.js API!' });  
}

Gatsby: GraphQL-First Approach

Gatsby requires GraphQL for data sourcing, which can be a pro or con depending on your familiarity with GraphQL.

Key Takeaway:

• Next.js is better for REST APIs or custom backend logic.
• Gatsby is ideal if you prefer GraphQL and structured data layers.

Developer Experience and Ecosystem

Next.js

• Zero-config setup with create-next-app.
• Built-in TypeScript and CSS support.
• Strong Vercel integration for deployments.

Gatsby

• Rich plugin ecosystem (e.g., gatsby-plugin-image for images).
• Slower builds for large sites due to GraphQL processing.
• Starter templates for quick scaffolding.

Key Takeaway:

• Next.js offers simpler setup for full-stack apps.
• Gatsby provides optimized plugins for static sites.

Conclusion

Both Next.js and Gatsby are excellent choices, but the best framework depends on your project’s needs:

• Choose Next.js if:

  • You need SSR, SSG, or hybrid rendering.
  • You’re building a full-stack app with API routes.
  • You want flexibility in data fetching (REST, GraphQL, etc.).

• Choose Gatsby if:

  • You’re building a content-heavy static site (e.g., blogs, marketing pages).
  • You prefer GraphQL for data management.
  • You need built-in optimizations (images, performance).

For dynamic applications, Next.js is often the better choice. For content-driven static sites, Gatsby remains a strong contender. Evaluate your project’s requirements and developer preferences to make the right decision!