Quick Comparison
| Astro | Gatsby | |
|---|---|---|
| JS shipped | Zero by default | Full React runtime |
| Framework | Any (React, Vue, Svelte, etc.) | React only |
| Performance | Excellent | Good (with optimization) |
| Data layer | Simple fetch/import | GraphQL (complex) |
| Build speed | Fast | Slow for large sites |
| Status in 2026 | Growing fast | Declining |
When to Use Astro
- Content-heavy sites (blogs, docs, marketing)
- You want the best performance out of the box
- You want to use multiple frameworks
- You want simple data fetching
When to Use Gatsby
- You’re maintaining an existing Gatsby site
- You need its specific plugin ecosystem
- You’re deeply invested in its GraphQL data layer
Verdict
Astro is the clear winner for new projects in 2026. Gatsby’s development has slowed significantly since the Netlify acquisition. Astro is faster, simpler, and more flexible.