Astro vs Next.js: Choosing the Right Tool
Comparing the two giants of modern web development for content-driven sites.
Next.js has long been the default for React developers. But for content-heavy websites, Astro is changing the game.
The Architecture Difference
Next.js sends a large JavaScript bundle to the client to hydrate the entire application, even for static content. This “SPA-first” approach is great for dashboards but overkill for blogs and landing pages.
Astro, by contrast, ships Zero JavaScript by default. It renders your HTML on the server and strips away the JS unless you explicitly ask for it using “Islands Architecture”.
Performance Wins
Switching to Astro often results in:
- Faster FCP (First Contentful Paint)
- Higher Lighthouse Scores
- Lower Bandwidth Costs
When to Use Which?
- Use Next.js if you are building a complex, authenticated web application (like a SaaS dashboard).
- Use Astro if you are building a marketing site, blog, documentation, or portfolio.
Gladtek chooses Astro because speed is the ultimate feature.
Further Reading
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