Technology Comparison

Next.js vs Gatsby - Which Should You Use?

Comparing Next.js and Gatsby for your next project. Honest analysis of performance, ecosystem, and suitability for Australian businesses.

98%

Client Retention

under 2 seconds

Average Load Time

50+

Businesses Served

150+

Integrations Available

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Our Development Capabilities

Custom-built solutions for your specific business needs.

Custom Web Applications

Bespoke web applications built from the ground up to solve your specific business problems. No off-the-shelf compromises.

AI and Automation Features

Intelligent features powered by AI - chatbots, recommendation engines, automated workflows, and data extraction.

Security-First Development

OWASP-compliant development practices, encrypted data handling, and regular security audits built into every project.

Headless CMS Integration

Decouple your content management from your frontend for flexibility, performance, and better developer experience.

Progressive Web Apps

Web applications that feel native on mobile devices. Offline support, push notifications, and app-like performance.

Quick Comparison

Side-by-side comparison to help you decide.

Criterion	Next.js	Gatsby
Primary use case	Hybrid - static, server-rendered, ISR, and Server Components	Static site generation - excellent for content sites, limited dynamic capability
Build performance at scale	ISR rebuilds individual pages on-demand; full build not required	Full rebuild required for content changes; large sites can take 30+ min
Dynamic data	First-class - server-side rendering and Server Actions built-in	Plugin-based; dynamic data requires client-side fetching workarounds
Image optimisation	next/image - automatic WebP, AVIF, responsive srcsets, lazy loading	gatsby-image - similar capability; more configuration overhead
Maintenance status	Actively developed by Vercel; major releases on a regular cadence	Gatsby 5 released 2022; community activity has declined significantly
Plugin ecosystem	Broad npm ecosystem; no proprietary plugin layer required	gatsby-* plugin ecosystem historically strong; now showing staleness

Our Verdict

Choose Next.js. Gatsby was the right answer for static site generation from 2018 to 2022, but its fundamental model (full rebuild on change, limited dynamic capability) has been surpassed by Next.js ISR, which gives you the performance of static pages with instant updates. Gatsby's community activity and plugin maintenance have declined noticeably. Unless you have an existing Gatsby codebase that is serving you well, there is no strong argument for starting a new Gatsby project in 2025. Next.js handles everything Gatsby does and adds server-side capabilities that Gatsby cannot match.

Choose Next.js when:

✓ Any new project - Next.js covers all of Gatsby's use cases and adds server-side capabilities
✓ You need ISR (incremental static regeneration) to update content without full rebuilds
✓ Your site has dynamic data, personalisation, or authentication requirements

Choose Gatsby when:

✓ You have an existing, well-functioning Gatsby site that does not need to be rebuilt
✓ Your team has deep Gatsby expertise and the project is genuinely static with infrequent content changes

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, our team has experience with both Next.js and Gatsby. We choose the right tool based on your project needs and recommend accordingly during our free assessment.

Every project is scoped individually based on complexity, integrations, and feature requirements. Most projects fall within our standard tiers. Book a free assessment to get a transparent, fixed-price quote.

Absolutely. You get 3 months of hands-on support after launch. For ongoing development, we offer flexible retainer packages tailored to your needs.

It depends on your project requirements. Next.js and Gatsby each have strengths. Our detailed comparison above covers the trade-offs to help you decide.

Yes. We integrate with 150+ business tools and can build custom connectors for specialist software. Your new application will work seamlessly with your existing tech stack.

We primarily build with Next.js, React, TypeScript, and Node.js. We also work with Python, PostgreSQL, and various cloud platforms. We choose the best technology for your specific requirements.

Most projects deliver a working prototype in 2 weeks and complete within 4-8 weeks. Complex applications may take longer. We deliver in phases so you see value quickly.