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Gatsby

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Craft CMS

Gatsby vs Craft CMS

Gatsby vs Craft CMS: which is right for your project? Gatsby is react-based ssg with graphql data layer. Craft CMS is developer-focused php cms with elegant content modeling. We compare features, performance, and pricing.

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TL;DR — Our Recommendation

Gatsby wins overall, but Craft CMS is better for agencies building bespoke sites with complex content requirements. Choose Gatsby for Content-rich sites pulling data from multiple sources via GraphQL. Choose Craft CMS for Agencies building bespoke sites with complex content requirements.

Official docs: Gatsby Documentation

Feature by Feature Comparison

FeatureGatsbyCraft CMS
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

Craft CMS

Pros

  • Excellent content modeling — build any structure without plugins
  • Beautiful, intuitive admin panel that editors love
  • First-class GraphQL and Element API for headless use
  • Matrix fields enable flexible, reusable content blocks

Cons

  • Smaller ecosystem — fewer plugins than WordPress or Drupal
  • License costs for multi-user projects
  • Requires PHP/MySQL hosting infrastructure
  • Fewer community resources and tutorials available

Platform Details

DetailGatsbyCraft CMS
Language / Stack
JavaScript/TypeScript (React)PHP (Yii framework)
Type
ssgtraditional cms
Pricing
Free (open-source)Free solo / $35+/mo for teams
Open Source
YesNo
Best For
Content-rich sites pulling data from multiple sources via GraphQLAgencies building bespoke sites with complex content requirements
Export Method
N/A (destination framework)Element API or GraphQL endpoint

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 Craft CMS if…

  • You need agencies building bespoke sites with complex content requirements
  • Your team is comfortable with PHP (Yii framework)

Which Should You Pick?

The right choice between Gatsby and Craft CMS 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 Craft CMS is a traditional cms built with PHP (Yii framework). That architectural difference shapes everything from daily content editing workflows to deployment and hosting costs. If your team includes non-developers who need to publish content frequently, Craft CMS's familiar editing interface may save you onboarding time.

From a cost perspective, Gatsby is open-source (Free (open-source)), while Craft CMS (Free solo / $35+/mo for teams) 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 offers a free Craft CMSGatsby migration tool that preserves your URLs, metadata, and content structure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Gatsby better than Craft CMS?
Gatsby scores higher overall (22/30 vs 19/30) thanks to better performance. However, Craft CMS is the better choice for Agencies building bespoke sites with complex content requirements.
Can I migrate from Gatsby to Craft CMS?
Yes. Export your Gatsby content via N/A (destination framework), then import it into Craft CMS. LeaveWP can help automate this process while preserving your SEO metadata and URL structure.
What are the main differences between Gatsby and Craft CMS?
Gatsby is react-based ssg with graphql data layer, while Craft CMS is developer-focused php cms with elegant content modeling. Key differences: performance (Gatsby: 4/5, Craft CMS: 3/5), pricing (Free (open-source) vs Free solo / $35+/mo for teams), and ecosystem size (Gatsby: 3/5, Craft CMS: 2/5).
How much does Gatsby cost compared to Craft CMS?
Gatsby: Free (open-source). Craft CMS: Free solo / $35+/mo for teams. Gatsby is open-source and free to self-host, while Craft CMS is a paid platform.
Which is easier to learn, Gatsby or Craft CMS?
They're similarly approachable (both 3/5). Gatsby uses JavaScript/TypeScript (React), while Craft CMS uses PHP (Yii framework). Your team's existing skills will determine which feels easier.
Which performs better, Gatsby or Craft CMS?
Gatsby has the performance edge (4/5 vs 3/5). As a static site generator, Gatsby pre-renders pages for near-instant load times. Craft CMS may require additional optimization for high-traffic sites.

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