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Gatsby

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11ty

Gatsby vs 11ty

Detailed comparison of Gatsby and 11ty β€” two ssg platforms. Compare features, performance, pricing, and find out which is right for your project in 2026.

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TL;DR β€” Our Recommendation

11ty wins overall, but Gatsby is better for content-rich sites pulling data from multiple sources via graphql. Choose Gatsby for Content-rich sites pulling data from multiple sources via GraphQL. Choose 11ty for Performance-focused sites that need minimal client-side JavaScript.

Official docs: Gatsby Documentation

Feature by Feature Comparison

FeatureGatsby11ty
Ease of Use
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Performance
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Flexibility
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Cost Value
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Scalability
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ecosystem
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Pros & Cons

Gatsby

Pros

  • Rich plugin ecosystem for data sources (CMS, APIs, databases)
  • Unified GraphQL data layer pulls from any source
  • Excellent image optimization with gatsby-plugin-image
  • Pre-renders pages for fast initial load and good SEO

Cons

  • Build times scale poorly with page count (minutes for 10K+ pages)
  • Gatsby Cloud was shut down β€” hosting is now DIY
  • GraphQL data layer adds complexity to simple projects
  • Declining community momentum β€” many projects migrating to Astro or Next.js

11ty

Pros

  • Ships zero JavaScript to the browser by default β€” pure HTML
  • Supports 10+ template languages (Nunjucks, Liquid, Markdown, etc.)
  • Framework-independent β€” use any or no JS framework
  • Fast builds and simple mental model

Cons

  • No built-in client-side JS framework for interactive components
  • Smaller ecosystem of plugins and starters than Next.js or Gatsby
  • Less intuitive for developers coming from React/Vue backgrounds
  • Documentation can be hard to navigate

Platform Details

DetailGatsby11ty
Language / Stack
JavaScript/TypeScript (React)JavaScript (multiple template languages)
Type
ssgssg
Pricing
Free (open-source)Free (open-source)
Open Source
YesYes
Best For
Content-rich sites pulling data from multiple sources via GraphQLPerformance-focused sites that need minimal client-side JavaScript
Export Method
N/A (destination framework)N/A (destination framework)

When to Choose Each Platform

Choose Gatsby if…

  • You need content-rich sites pulling data from multiple sources via graphql
  • Your team is comfortable with JavaScript/TypeScript (React)
  • You want an open-source solution with full code ownership
  • Budget is a top priority β€” free (open-source)
  • You want maximum performance with static or server-rendered pages

Choose 11ty if…

  • You need performance-focused sites that need minimal client-side javascript
  • Your team is comfortable with JavaScript (multiple template languages)
  • You want an open-source solution with full code ownership
  • Budget is a top priority β€” free (open-source)
  • You want a low learning curve for non-technical team members
  • You want maximum performance with static or server-rendered pages

Which Should You Pick?

The right choice between Gatsby and 11ty depends on three things: your team's technical skills, your project timeline, and your long-term content strategy.

Both platforms sit in the same category β€” ssg β€” so the deciding factors are ecosystem size, editorial workflow, and specific feature gaps. Gatsby uses JavaScript/TypeScript (React), while 11ty runs on JavaScript (multiple template languages). If your developers already know one of those stacks, lean toward that platform to reduce ramp-up time.

From a cost perspective, both platforms are open-source, so the real cost difference is hosting and operational overhead. Factor in plugin or extension costs, developer rates for each tech stack, and whether you need managed hosting or can self-host.

Whichever you choose, migrating between them is straightforward. LeaveWP supports migration between 60+ platforms, so you're never locked in regardless of which you pick today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Gatsby better than 11ty?
11ty scores higher overall (25/30 vs 22/30) thanks to better performance. However, Gatsby remains the better choice for Content-rich sites pulling data from multiple sources via GraphQL.
Can I migrate from Gatsby to 11ty?
Yes. Export your Gatsby content via N/A (destination framework), then convert it to Markdown or import into a headless CMS. LeaveWP can help automate this process while preserving your SEO metadata and URL structure.
What are the main differences between Gatsby and 11ty?
Gatsby is react-based ssg with graphql data layer, while 11ty is zero-config javascript ssg that ships zero client js by default. Key differences: ease of use (Gatsby: 3/5, 11ty: 4/5), pricing (Free (open-source) vs Free (open-source)), and scalability (Gatsby: 3/5, 11ty: 4/5).
How much does Gatsby cost compared to 11ty?
Gatsby: Free (open-source). 11ty: Free (open-source). Both are open-source, so the main cost difference is hosting and infrastructure.
Which is easier to learn, Gatsby or 11ty?
11ty is easier to pick up (4/5 vs 3/5). Ships zero JavaScript to the browser by default β€” pure HTML. Gatsby has a steeper learning curve, especially for teams new to JavaScript/TypeScript (React).
Which performs better, Gatsby or 11ty?
11ty has the performance edge (5/5 vs 4/5). As a static site generator, 11ty pre-renders pages for near-instant load times. Gatsby may require additional optimization for high-traffic sites.

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