Next.js vs Astro for Solo Developers

Quick Comparison

Next.js Overview

Next.js is the React meta-framework that basically became the default way to build React apps. It gives you server-side rendering, static site generation, API routes, and a file-based router all in one package. If you're building something interactive with user accounts, dashboards, or real-time features, Next.js handles all of it.

I've shipped multiple projects with Next.js and the developer experience is genuinely excellent. The Vercel integration means you can go from code to production in minutes. Hot reload is fast, the docs are solid, and the community is massive. If you run into a problem, someone has already solved it on Stack Overflow.

The downside? Next.js ships JavaScript to the client. Lots of it. Even for pages that don't need interactivity, you're sending React hydration code to the browser. For content-heavy sites, that's unnecessary weight. The framework also moves fast between major versions. Upgrading from 13 to 14 to 15 required real migration work each time.

Astro Overview

Astro takes a completely different approach. It ships zero JavaScript by default. Your pages render to pure HTML on the server, and JavaScript only loads when you explicitly need it through "islands" of interactivity. For content sites, this means blazing-fast page loads with perfect Lighthouse scores out of the box.

What sold me on Astro is the flexibility. You can use React, Vue, Svelte, or even plain HTML within the same project. Built-in MDX support makes it perfect for blogs. The content collections API gives you type-safe content with zero effort. I built the SoloDevStack blog with Astro and it was one of the smoothest development experiences I've had.

Astro isn't trying to be everything though. If you need heavy client-side interactivity, you'll be fighting the framework. It's designed for content-first sites, and it does that job better than anything else.

Key Differences

JavaScript delivery is the big one. Next.js hydrates every page with React. Astro sends zero JS unless you opt in. For a blog or marketing site, Astro pages load noticeably faster.

Full-stack capabilities differ significantly. Next.js has built-in API routes, middleware, server actions, and database integrations. Astro can handle API endpoints but it's not designed to be your backend. If you need authenticated user flows, Next.js is the more complete solution.

Framework lock-in works differently. Next.js locks you into React. Astro lets you mix frameworks or use none at all. This matters when you're a solo dev and might want to use a Vue component from a tutorial without rewriting it.

Build and deploy story. Next.js deploys best on Vercel (their platform), though it works elsewhere. Astro deploys anywhere, static hosts included. A static Astro site on Cloudflare Pages costs literally nothing to host.

Content authoring. Astro's content collections give you validated, type-safe Markdown and MDX. Next.js can do MDX but requires more setup. For blog-heavy projects, Astro wins hands down.

When to Choose Next.js

• You're building a SaaS with user authentication, dashboards, and dynamic content
• Your app is highly interactive and needs client-side state management
• You want API routes alongside your frontend in one codebase
• You're already comfortable with React and want to stay in that ecosystem
• You plan to deploy on Vercel and want the smoothest possible experience

When to Choose Astro

• You're building a blog, documentation site, marketing page, or portfolio
• Performance and SEO are top priorities
• You want to mix UI frameworks or avoid them entirely
• You need built-in MDX and content management
• You want to deploy for free on static hosts

The Verdict

For most solo developers, the answer depends entirely on what you're building. If it's a content site, blog, or marketing page, pick Astro. It's faster, simpler, and cheaper to host. I wouldn't build a blog in Next.js in 2026 when Astro exists.

If you're building a full-stack application with auth, database operations, and interactive features, pick Next.js. It's the most complete React framework and the ecosystem is unmatched.

My default these days: Astro for content, Next.js for apps. They're not really competing. They solve different problems, and recognizing that saves you from picking the wrong tool and fighting it for months.