Next js vs Gatsby : A Complete Comparison Guide

Next js vs Gatsby are two of the most popular static site generators that are used to construct websites that load quickly and are helpful to search engine optimization. They do this by giving a robust toolkit that allows you to design your website using the latest JavaScritpt capabilities.

This makes the building of static websites much more straightforward. Nevertheless, these two tools take distinct methods and aim for various audiences. The rendering of Next.js is done dynamically, while Gatsby is produced statically and then rendered in advance.

In this post, we’ll contrast the two options- Next js vs Gatsby so you may choose the one that best meets your requirements.

What is Next.js?

Next.js is a free and open-source framework that is built on the React library and can be used to develop server-side rendered web pages with no setup required. When a user makes a new request, the HTML will be created directly via the server as a result of this configuration.

This helps to enhance the website’s speed and user experience. Building landing pages, business web applications, and dynamic websites that need great speed are all excellent uses for the framework’s capabilities. The following is a list of the key features that Next.js uses:

Auto-code splitting

The auto-code splitting feature of Next.js helps minimize the overall size of your application and enhances its speed. This is accomplished by breaking the code up into smaller sections that are loaded only when they are needed.

This is particularly helpful for big applications with enormous code files, as it may assist in minimizing the amount of time required to load the complete program.

Lazy loading

Utilizing the lazy loading feature of Next.js is a fantastic method to boost the speed of your website. It is possible to save time and resources if you load the relevant components when required. This may be of particular use to you if your website has a large amount of material or some visitors need more internet connections.

Prerendering

Instead of depending on the JavaScript that is executed on the client’s side, Next.js does what is known as pre-rendering on every page by default. This means that it prepares HTML for each page in advance.

Users would see a blank screen on the initial load if this functionality wasn’t there since they would have to wait for JavaScript to load. With pre-rendering, a user will view the HTML content on the initial load of your website, which will give the impression that your website loads more quickly and will increase your position in search engines.

Rendering

Static site generation (SSG) and server-side rendering are the two kinds of pre-rendering that Next.js provides. (SSR). You can render your pages throughout the construction process using SSG.

This method is effective for an HTML page that does not need to be updated on a frequent basis. To enhance performance, the system pre-generates, caches, and saves the page in a content delivery network (CDN).

Each time a user requests, the SSR model will produce an HTML page. Because the system does not cache the material, it makes an excellent choice for dynamic content.

The pros and cons of using Next.js

Pros of Utilizing Next.js:

Provides a very high level of app speed because of features like lazy loading and auto-code splitting. A better client experience and a higher conversion rate result from faster loading times.
Developers characterize websites and apps built using Next.js as highly responsive and flexible, and they make them accessible from any device.
It contains an in-built image optimization capability that can convert photos to the web file format, known for its superior image quality.
It is compatible with ESLint.
Streamlines the process of configuring and deploying the solution.

Cons of using Next.js

It does not have a robust environment for plugins.
Only the file-router system may be used, which is a limitation.
Because it does not have a built-in state manager, you will need to use Redux or MobX to handle states.

What is Gatsby?

So, now are you wondering what it is gatsby js? Gatsby is a comprehensive framework for developing highly functional websites compatible with React.

It gives you access to capabilities like data source plugins, code splitting, client-side routing, and code-driven page construction, all of which make it possible to construct dynamic websites.

It also offers a robust plugin ecosystem, which allows you to tailor Gatsby’s behavior to the specific requirements of your website. Gatsby’s adaptability makes it well-suited for various use cases, including building landing pages, product pages, marketing websites, and blogs.

The following are characteristics of Gatsby:

API driven development

Gatsby.js is an excellent choice for API-driven development since it is built on React, and GraphQL drives its data layer. Both of these features contribute to the framework’s versatility.

Ecosystems Based on Open Source

Developers created Gatsby.js as a tool specifically for developers. A community of users and corporations regularly use and update it for building their websites.

Assistance in developing progressive web applications

Progressive Web Apps, often known as PWAs, are websites that may perform the same functions as native mobile apps. They offer several benefits over native mobile apps, including quicker load times and an experience similar to a native app.

Plugins

Gatsby seo is an open-source web framework that facilitates the building of progressive web apps (PWAs). It also comes with a plugin explicitly designed for PWAs called Gatsby-plugin-pwa. This plugin lets you create your PWA with little code and setup.

Framework-agnostic

The fact that Gatsby.js is not dependent on any one framework is among its most valuable characteristics. This indicates that it is compatible with whatever front-end framework or library you want to use.

Even while it comes with pre-configured connectors for React js development services, you can use it with any other library you like. You also have the option of writing your integration if you so want.

Static site generator

Gatsby.js is a static site generator, which means that it will build a fixed version of the site, and there won’t be any complications with putting it on a server because of this.

You do not need to be concerned about keeping the material current. When you make changes to the material stored in your HTML or markdown files, the website will immediately provide visitors with the updated version of the page.

Single page apps

Gatsby comes with built-in routing support, enabling you to create single-page apps utilizing its framework. Gatsby is compatible with either version 4 or version 5 of the React Router.

In, Gatsby seo does not contain any additional polyfills or code required to produce a static site; therefore, the bundle size of your website will be much less compared to the bundle sizes of other single-page apps.

Pros and cons of Gatsby

Pros of the Great Gatsby:

Gatsby.js plugins help integrate third-party services into your static website. With the help of these plugins, you’ll be able to include many helpful services, such as Google Analytics and Google Adsense, into your static website.
It comes with in-depth instructions to guide you through setting it up and getting to work.
The performance of static websites is improved as a result.
Contains a substantial number of active users as members

Cons of Gatsby

Gatsby is not as user-friendly as some of the other choices that are currently available. It will take some time before you can proficiently use all of its capabilities.
It scales up slowly.

Similarities between Next.js and Gatsby

The following are some of the areas in which Next js vs. Gatsby are comparable:

Construction is carried out in stages

Developers can make changes to the page’s content using either of the two frameworks, Next js vs Gatsby, without the need to refresh the entire page. This increases productivity and significantly reduces the hassle of page development.

Developer experience

Both Next js vs Gatsby provide developers with in-depth documentation that may assist them in setting up their environments and beginning the process of developing apps. In addition to this, both of them are React frameworks. If you already have a solid understanding of React, you can work with any framework without learning everything at once.

Enhancements to SEO

Both Next js vs. Gatsby are explicitly designed to increase the ranking of your website in search engines. The server-side rendering that Next.js provides makes it possible for the SEO crawler to index your website more quickly.

Gatsby prebuilt the whole HTML before the user ever requested it, making it easily accessible for indexing by search engines while providing a high level of efficiency.

What is the difference between Next js vs. Gatsby?

Since we are fully aware of the similarities between gatsby vs. next, may we investigate how they differ from one another to determine which one is superior?

But before we go into that, let’s make sure you understand how this framework is distinct from its origin, which is to say, gatsby vs. next.

Data Handling

Regarding the capabilities of managing data, Nextjs gives developers the freedom to work all of the data in whatever manner they see fit. At the same time, Gatsby outlines the exact steps required for obtaining and processing data. (GraphQL).

Gatsby deserves a lot of praise because it enables developers to get just the data necessary for each page. In addition to that, it features an extensive library of plugins that may facilitate connections with a wide variety of data sources.

On the other hand, Next.js leaves everything entirely up to us, which means that developers are free to design an architecture of their choosing and get data using various methods. (SSR, SSG, or pre-rendering).

Page Rendering

The fact that Gatsby creates HTML pages as the site is built distinguishes it as a static site generator. It dispenses with the need for a Node server to oversee rendering.

On the other hand, if you want to construct a sizable website with many subpages and HTML templates, there are better choices than this strategy. On the other hand, Next JS progressive web applications generate pages using SSR.

To control HTML rendering during the runtime for each request, you must install Node.js and NPM. After loading the first HTML, NextJS is responsible for running the application and managing hydration.

Extensibility

You can enhance the functionality of the website or app you’re developing with Gatsby by taking advantage of its extensive collection of tools and plugins.

Gatsby plugin libraries provide several benefits, including pre-configured themes, compressed images, TypeScript compilers, and other useful tools. You can also modify themes and functionality and host those modifications in the plugin library.

Because it has a comprehensive selection of partner tools and libraries, Next.js competes well with its main competitor. It comes pre-packaged with several capabilities, including code splitting, page routing, and picture optimization, that were previously impossible to include in a React project.

Comparison between Gatsby vs Next JS on a Few Use Cases

To determine which of gatsby vs. next js is superior, we need to look at their respective strengths and weaknesses using the horses-for-courses approach. So that you know which framework to use in which circumstances, let’s compare and contrast how well these two frameworks- gatsby vs. next js operate in a few different use situations.

Static Websites

Gatsby is the undisputed king in the world of straightforward, static web pages; here is where Gatsby excels. In its most basic form, a static website comprises a collection of distinct HTML pages, each representing an actual web page.

A personal blog is an excellent illustration of this kind of website. Since there is no real-time updating, each visitor will see the same material regardless of when they come.

Gatsby is the superior option to Next JS in these circumstances since the website’s content can be relied upon to remain the same, and the number of pages on the website can be anticipated. It offers a comprehensive selection of databases, REST APIs, content management systems, and GraphQL.

Because Gatsby can keep the website and the data separate, any member of your team, regardless of whether or not they have programming experience, can modify the web page’s data and compile it as it is being used.

Large, Multi-User Websites

Choosing NextJS from gatsby vs. next js as your framework of choice would be the best option if you want to build a website that allows many users to set up their accounts and comment on the content of the pages they see.

Because of the high volume of users that access and contribute to the website simultaneously, creating a static website that caters to these requirements throughout the website’s runtime is difficult. Because of this, selecting Gatsby is not the best option for such items because of the length of the construction time.

In addition, huge websites need you to provide dynamic and original material to registered users to function correctly. When you want to address various users depending on their authentication, consider using SSR, which is one of the many benefits of Next JS and the top web development stacks. Users are immediately presented with the relevant material when they reach the website.

Hybrid Web Apps

When it comes to developing hybrid web applications, where you need to manage data to the CSR and render the UI using SSR, Next JS is superior to Gatsby. A single website may have both a CSR for users who are logged in and an SSR for those who are only visiting the website for the first time.

You are required to optimize the majority of the website pages for search engine optimization (SEO). Because the material in such web app pages has to be dynamic and publically available, NextJS will unquestionably perform better than Gatsby seo.

Conclusion

As a way to wrap up the debate between gatsby vs. next js, both frameworks have grown much more similar to one another than they ever were before. Gatsby has undergone several revisions, and as a result, it can now support more client-side functions, such as SSR and DSG.

Consequently, deciding between gatsby vs. next js has become more difficult for us. After everything is said and done, it comes down to your preferences and goals for the project.

To summarize, NextJS is appropriate for huge applications that get a lot of traffic, while Gatsby seo is ideal for static websites on a smaller scale. Therefore,

Choose Next JS When You Have:

You are developing a central app to handle significant material and data that will continue to expand. You will get a high level of flexibility by combining a headless content management system with the characteristics of NextJS.

Choose Gatsby When You Have:

You are now working on a more manageable project in which consistency and stability are paramount. It is simpler to set up, and it shortens the amount of time needed for development.

However, in the end, Gatsby and NextJS are both terrific frameworks, and the development team that you choose is probably the biggest winner here. The quality of their services for developing contemporary web applications is impeccable.