Gatsby vs Next.js
If you want to stay in React but need more than a static site, Next.js is the path. It's full-stack React — SSR, ISR and server components — actively maintained, with the highest component reuse from a Gatsby codebase. Here's the honest trade-off.
Move to Next.js when you need app-like features — server rendering, incremental regeneration, authenticated dashboards — and want to keep writing React. Because both are React, component reuse is the highest of any migration. If your site is really just content, Astro ships less JavaScript with less setup; Next.js can be overkill for a plain blog.
Side by side
Gatsby vs Next.js, feature by feature
Both are React and MIT-licensed. Next.js trades Gatsby's static-first, GraphQL-centric model for a full-stack one you opt into per page.
| Dimension | Gatsby | Next.js |
|---|---|---|
| Language / UI | React | React |
| Rendering | SSG (+ DSG / SSR) | SSG / SSR / ISR / RSC |
| Client JS (default) | Full React app hydration | App, RSC-trimmed (server components ship no JS) |
| Data layer | Internal GraphQL (required) | Any — async fetch / server components |
| Full-stack (API / server) | No — static-first | Yes — route handlers, server actions |
| React component reuse | Native | Highest — React end to end |
| Dev status (2026) | Maintenance — last release Feb 2025 | Active — frequent releases |
| License | MIT | MIT |
| Best for | Existing / pure-static sites | React apps + dynamic content |
The migration
What moving from Gatsby to Next.js actually involves
What ports easily. Because both are React, your components — presentational and interactive — reuse better than in any other migration. Your styling, design system and most UI logic carry over directly.
What you rewrite. Gatsby's GraphQL page queries and gatsby-node.js become Next.js data fetching: async server components, generateStaticParams for dynamic routes, or route handlers. Gatsby plugins are replaced with plain npm packages or built-in Next.js features (image optimisation, fonts, MDX).
The trade-off. Next.js has more moving parts than a pure SSG — the App Router, server vs client components, caching — so a simple content site can end up more complex than it needs to be. If you don't need SSR or app features, Astro is the lighter choice; if you do, Next.js is the natural React home.
Own the build, choose the host
Whichever you pick, Buddy builds and ships it
Next.js builds in a Node.js pipeline, so Buddy runs it with a native action — static export to any CDN, or a server build you deploy to your own infrastructure or Dev Cloud.
Native Node.js builds
Build Next.js with the Node.js action, or keep the old Gatsby build running with the Gatsby CLI action during a phased migration.
Static or server deploys
Ship a static export to Netlify, S3 + CloudFront or Google CDN — or a server build to your VPS, containers or Buddy Dev Cloud.
No host lock-in
Buddy separates the build from the host, so you can run Next.js wherever it fits — not only on one vendor's platform.
Common questions
Gatsby vs Next.js — common questions
Is Next.js overkill for a simple blog?
It can be. Next.js is a full-stack React framework built for apps that mix static, server-rendered and dynamic content. For a purely static blog or marketing site, a lighter static-first framework like Astro often ships less JavaScript with less configuration. Choose Next.js when you genuinely need SSR, ISR or app-like interactivity.
Do I still need GraphQL if I move from Gatsby to Next.js?
No. Next.js has no built-in GraphQL data layer. You fetch data with plain async functions or React Server Components, from any API, database or CMS. If you liked GraphQL you can keep using it as a client, but it is no longer required the way it is in Gatsby.
Can Next.js produce a fully static site like Gatsby?
Yes. Next.js supports static export and static generation, so you can ship a fully static site much like Gatsby. The difference is that Next.js also lets you opt into server rendering, incremental static regeneration and server components on the same codebase when a page needs them.