Gatsby vs Next.js for Solo Developers

Quick Comparison

Gatsby Overview

Gatsby pioneered the modern static site generation movement in the React ecosystem. The idea was compelling: pull data from any source through GraphQL, process images automatically, generate static pages at build time, and deploy to a CDN. The plugin ecosystem grew quickly, and for a few years, Gatsby was the default choice for React-powered content sites.

In 2026, the picture is different. Gatsby's parent company faced financial struggles. Development has slowed considerably. The plugin ecosystem, while large, contains many packages that haven't been updated in years. And the core design decisions that once felt innovative now feel limiting.

The GraphQL data layer is the main sticking point. Every data source goes through GraphQL. Want to read a local markdown file? Write a GraphQL query. Pull from a headless CMS? Configure a source plugin and write a GraphQL query. For solo developers who just want to fetch some data and render a page, this ceremony adds friction without enough benefit.

Next.js Overview

Next.js is the most popular React framework, and its feature set has expanded well beyond static generation. Server components, server-side rendering, incremental static regeneration, API routes, middleware, image optimization. It handles every rendering strategy and lets you mix them within the same application.

For solo developers, Next.js is incredibly productive. The App Router with server components simplifies data fetching. No separate data layer. No GraphQL queries. Just async components that fetch data and render. The caching system (when understood) makes pages fast. And deployment to Vercel is genuinely one click.

The community is massive. Every CMS has a Next.js starter. Every auth provider has a Next.js guide. Every hosting platform supports Next.js. You'll never struggle to find a solution for any integration.

Key Differences

Data fetching. Gatsby requires GraphQL for all data access. Source plugins feed data into a GraphQL layer, and you query that layer in your components. Next.js lets you fetch data however you want. REST APIs, direct database queries, file system reads, GraphQL if you choose it. This flexibility is a huge advantage for solo developers who don't want to learn GraphQL for a simple blog.

Rendering strategies. Gatsby is primarily a static site generator. It can do server-side rendering through Gatsby Functions, but it's an afterthought. Next.js supports SSG, SSR, ISR, and server components natively. You choose the rendering strategy per page or even per component. For solo developers building apps that need both static and dynamic pages, Next.js is far more flexible.

Build times. Gatsby builds get slow as your site grows. Image processing, GraphQL schema inference, and page generation all contribute. Large Gatsby sites can take 10+ minutes to build. Next.js builds are generally faster, and incremental static regeneration lets you rebuild individual pages without rebuilding the entire site.

Plugin ecosystem. Gatsby has hundreds of plugins for data sources, transformations, and features. But many are unmaintained. Next.js doesn't have a formal plugin system but has a much larger ecosystem of npm packages, starter templates, and integrations that work with any React framework.

Community momentum. Next.js has strong momentum with regular releases, Vercel's backing, and growing adoption. Gatsby's community has contracted significantly. New blog posts, tutorials, and Stack Overflow activity for Gatsby have dropped sharply. This matters for long-term support and troubleshooting.

When to Choose Gatsby

• You have an existing Gatsby site that works and migration is too costly
• Your data architecture benefits from Gatsby's GraphQL unification layer
• You use Gatsby-specific plugins that don't have Next.js equivalents
• Your team has deep Gatsby expertise
• You specifically want the Gatsby image processing pipeline

When to Choose Next.js

• You're starting a new project (any new project)
• You want flexibility in how you fetch and render data
• You need both static and dynamic pages in the same app
• You want the largest community and ecosystem support
• You plan to scale beyond a pure static site eventually

The Verdict

Next.js. In 2026, this comparison is less about which is better and more about timing. Gatsby had its era. It pushed the ecosystem forward. But Next.js has absorbed Gatsby's best ideas (static generation, image optimization, incremental builds) while offering far more flexibility and a thriving community.

The 9/10 vs 5/10 solo dev rating reflects reality. Starting a new project with Gatsby in 2026 means choosing a framework with declining momentum, slow builds, mandatory GraphQL, and an ecosystem of aging plugins. Next.js gives you everything Gatsby offers plus server rendering, server components, API routes, and the industry's best deployment platform. If you're currently on Gatsby, consider migrating. If you're choosing for a new project, Next.js is the answer.