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Gatsby

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Contentful

Gatsby vs Contentful

Gatsby vs Contentful: which is right for your project? Gatsby is react-based ssg with graphql data layer. Contentful is api-first headless cms for omnichannel content. We compare features, performance, and pricing.

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TL;DR — Our Recommendation

It depends — Gatsby and Contentful serve different use cases well. Choose Gatsby for Content-rich sites pulling data from multiple sources via GraphQL. Choose Contentful for Enterprises needing to deliver content across web, mobile, and IoT channels.

Official docs: Gatsby Documentation · Contentful Documentation

Feature by Feature Comparison

FeatureGatsbyContentful
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 — hosting is now DIY
  • GraphQL data layer adds complexity to simple projects
  • Declining community momentum — many projects migrating to Astro or Next.js

Contentful

Pros

  • Powerful content modeling with structured content types
  • Global CDN-backed API delivers content at edge speed
  • Rich ecosystem of integrations (Algolia, Netlify, Vercel)
  • Excellent SDKs for every major language and framework

Cons

  • Expensive — free tier is very limited, paid starts at $300/month
  • Editing experience is functional but not beautiful
  • No built-in preview or visual editing (requires custom setup)
  • Vendor lock-in with proprietary content storage

Platform Details

DetailGatsbyContentful
Language / Stack
JavaScript/TypeScript (React)API-based (any frontend)
Type
ssgheadless cms
Pricing
Free (open-source)Free / $300+/month
Open Source
YesNo
Best For
Content-rich sites pulling data from multiple sources via GraphQLEnterprises needing to deliver content across web, mobile, and IoT channels
Export Method
N/A (destination framework)Content Management API or CLI export

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 — free (open-source)
  • You want maximum performance with static or server-rendered pages

Choose Contentful if…

  • You need enterprises needing to deliver content across web, mobile, and iot channels
  • Your team is comfortable with API-based (any frontend)

Which Should You Pick?

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

These platforms take fundamentally different approaches. Gatsby is a ssg built with JavaScript/TypeScript (React), while Contentful is a headless cms built with API-based (any frontend). That architectural difference shapes everything from daily content editing workflows to deployment and hosting costs. Both platforms require some technical comfort — consider which tech stack aligns better with your team's existing skills.

From a cost perspective, Gatsby is open-source (Free (open-source)), while Contentful (Free / $300+/month) carries ongoing license costs. 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 Contentful?
They're closely matched (22/30 vs 22/30). Gatsby is best for Content-rich sites pulling data from multiple sources via GraphQL, while Contentful excels for Enterprises needing to deliver content across web, mobile, and IoT channels. Your choice should depend on your team's skills and project requirements.
Can I migrate from Gatsby to Contentful?
Yes. Export your Gatsby content via N/A (destination framework), then import it into Contentful. LeaveWP can help automate this process while preserving your SEO metadata and URL structure.
What are the main differences between Gatsby and Contentful?
Gatsby is react-based ssg with graphql data layer, while Contentful is api-first headless cms for omnichannel content. Key differences: performance (Gatsby: 4/5, Contentful: 5/5), pricing (Free (open-source) vs Free / $300+/month), and ecosystem size (Gatsby: 3/5, Contentful: 4/5).
How much does Gatsby cost compared to Contentful?
Gatsby: Free (open-source). Contentful: Free / $300+/month. Gatsby is open-source and free to self-host, while Contentful is a paid platform.
Which is easier to learn, Gatsby or Contentful?
They're similarly approachable (both 3/5). Gatsby uses JavaScript/TypeScript (React), while Contentful uses API-based (any frontend). Your team's existing skills will determine which feels easier.
Which performs better, Gatsby or Contentful?
Contentful has the performance edge (5/5 vs 4/5). Contentful has Global CDN-backed API delivers content at edge speed. Gatsby may require additional optimization for high-traffic sites.

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