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Gatsby

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Framer

Gatsby vs Framer

Gatsby vs Framer: which is right for your project? Gatsby is react-based ssg with graphql data layer. Framer is design-to-production website builder with react components. We compare features, performance, and pricing.

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TL;DR — Our Recommendation

It depends — Gatsby and Framer serve different use cases well. Choose Gatsby for Content-rich sites pulling data from multiple sources via GraphQL. Choose Framer for Designers creating marketing sites with polished animations.

Official docs: Gatsby Documentation

Feature by Feature Comparison

FeatureGatsbyFramer
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

Framer

Pros

  • Stunning animations and interactions with no code
  • Ships real React components — not just visual mockups
  • Excellent performance with static generation
  • CMS with localization and scheduling built in

Cons

  • Limited CMS capabilities for complex content structures
  • Proprietary hosting — cannot self-host or export code
  • Smaller community and fewer resources than established builders
  • Complex logic still requires React code components

Platform Details

DetailGatsbyFramer
Language / Stack
JavaScript/TypeScript (React)React (custom components)
Type
ssgwebsite builder
Pricing
Free (open-source)Free / $5-15/month
Open Source
YesNo
Best For
Content-rich sites pulling data from multiple sources via GraphQLDesigners creating marketing sites with polished animations
Export Method
N/A (destination framework)No code export — API for CMS content only

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 Framer if…

  • You need designers creating marketing sites with polished animations
  • Your team is comfortable with React (custom components)
  • Budget is a top priority — free / $5-15/month
  • You want a low learning curve for non-technical team members

Which Should You Pick?

The right choice between Gatsby and Framer 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 Framer is a website builder built with React (custom components). 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, Framer's familiar editing interface may save you onboarding time.

From a cost perspective, Gatsby is open-source (Free (open-source)), while Framer (Free / $5-15/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 Framer?
They're closely matched (22/30 vs 20/30). Gatsby is best for Content-rich sites pulling data from multiple sources via GraphQL, while Framer excels for Designers creating marketing sites with polished animations. Your choice should depend on your team's skills and project requirements.
Can I migrate from Gatsby to Framer?
Yes. Export your Gatsby content via N/A (destination framework), then import it into Framer. LeaveWP can help automate this process while preserving your SEO metadata and URL structure.
What are the main differences between Gatsby and Framer?
Gatsby is react-based ssg with graphql data layer, while Framer is design-to-production website builder with react components. Key differences: ease of use (Gatsby: 3/5, Framer: 4/5), pricing (Free (open-source) vs Free / $5-15/month), and ecosystem size (Gatsby: 3/5, Framer: 2/5).
How much does Gatsby cost compared to Framer?
Gatsby: Free (open-source). Framer: Free / $5-15/month. Gatsby is open-source and free to self-host, while Framer is a paid platform.
Which is easier to learn, Gatsby or Framer?
Framer is easier to pick up (4/5 vs 3/5). Stunning animations and interactions with no code. Gatsby has a steeper learning curve, especially for teams new to JavaScript/TypeScript (React).
Which performs better, Gatsby or Framer?
Both score equally on performance (4/5). The real difference depends on your setup: Gatsby uses JavaScript/TypeScript (React), Framer uses React (custom components). Proper caching and CDN configuration matters more than the platform itself at this tier.

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