Next.js vs Gatsby: Which One is Better?

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Comparing Next.js vs Gatsby

We are living in the era of a JavaScript-ized web, and between the two main options you have for creating content-driven sites, it can be hard to choose which one is right for the job: Next.js or Gatsby? 🤔

Both Next.js and Gatsby provide an impressive level of features and development capabilities that are useful for developers who want to create high-quality, fast-loading websites.

So it can be hard to decide which one is better. Let's take a look at the comparison to help make an informed decision.

Pros and Cons of Next.js

Pros of Next.js

  • Optimization Options - Next.js provides features to optimize website performance including minifying code, dynamic importing, lazy loading images, and resource hints.
  • Static HTML Export - Next.js makes it easy for large-scale applications to export static HTML. This can be helpful for SEO, especially if your pages change infrequently.
  • Serverless Functionality - With its serverless support, Next.js can be a great choice for those who want to deploy their web pages and functions quickly and easily without having to worry about hosting costs.
  • Low Learning Curve - The setup process for Next.js projects is relatively simple, making it easy for beginners to get up and running quickly.

Cons of Next.js

  • Lacks Customization Options - One drawback to Next.js is that it offers limited customization options and leaves you with a “fixed” layout and set of features that cannot be changed.
  • Complicated API - For experienced developers, the API of Next.js can be quite complicated to work with.
  • No Full Page Re-Rendering - Another potential downside to the Next.js framework is that it does not re-render on changes done to the page. This makes updating a page more difficult and time-consuming than it would be with Gatsby.

Pros and Cons of Gatsby

Pros of Gatsby

  • High Level of Customization - Gatsby allows for a high level of customization when it comes to creating content for a website, making it easier for developers to tailor their projects to the needs of their users.
  • Re-Rendering Ability - Unlike Next.js, Gatsby seeks to give users full control over the UX with its easy API and ability to render changed pages.
  • Better Performance - Gatsby strives to give users an efficient and performant experience, claiming to have single-digit load times.

Cons of Gatsby

  • Steep Learning Curve - New developers may find Gatsby's API to be confusing, as it requires more advanced skills such as GraphQL to create maximal efficiency.
  • Server Side Rendering - Server-side rendering, while giving Gatsby an increased performance level, can, unfortunately, increase complexity and costs when it comes to hosting a website.
  • No Backend Functionalities - Even though Gatsby offers some backend functionalities, they are limited and may not satisfy all who need more complex options like user authentication or database handling.

Conclusion: Next.js Over Gatsby

Overall, based on the pros and cons of both options, it is clear that Next.js is the superior tool for developing websites. While Gatsby may have a better performance rating in some cases, Next.js offers far more options for affordable and efficient development, making it the tool of choice for most developers. Plus, with its low learning curve and added optimization abilities, Next.js looks to be the way of the future for developing webpages! 🤩