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Gatsby

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Hugo

Gatsby vs Hugo

Detailed comparison of Gatsby and Hugo — two ssg platforms. Compare features, performance, pricing, and find out which is right for your project in 2026.

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TL;DR — Our Recommendation

It depends — Gatsby and Hugo serve different use cases well. Choose Gatsby for Content-rich sites pulling data from multiple sources via GraphQL. Choose Hugo for Documentation sites and blogs where build speed and simplicity matter most.

Official docs: Gatsby Documentation · Hugo Documentation

Feature by Feature Comparison

FeatureGatsbyHugo
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

Hugo

Pros

  • Blazing fast builds — renders 10,000 pages in seconds
  • Single binary with zero dependencies
  • Built-in image processing, taxonomies, and i18n
  • Huge theme library for quick starts

Cons

  • Go template syntax has a steep learning curve
  • No JavaScript framework — limits client-side interactivity
  • Plugin system is limited compared to Gatsby or Astro
  • Harder to add dynamic features without additional tooling

Platform Details

DetailGatsbyHugo
Language / Stack
JavaScript/TypeScript (React)Go (Go templates)
Type
ssgssg
Pricing
Free (open-source)Free (open-source)
Open Source
YesYes
Best For
Content-rich sites pulling data from multiple sources via GraphQLDocumentation sites and blogs where build speed and simplicity matter most
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 — free (open-source)
  • You want maximum performance with static or server-rendered pages

Choose Hugo if…

  • You need documentation sites and blogs where build speed and simplicity matter most
  • Your team is comfortable with Go (Go templates)
  • 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

Which Should You Pick?

The right choice between Gatsby and Hugo 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 — ssg — so the deciding factors are ecosystem size, editorial workflow, and specific feature gaps. Gatsby uses JavaScript/TypeScript (React), while Hugo runs on Go (Go templates). 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 Hugo?
They're closely matched (22/30 vs 24/30). Gatsby is best for Content-rich sites pulling data from multiple sources via GraphQL, while Hugo excels for Documentation sites and blogs where build speed and simplicity matter most. Your choice should depend on your team's skills and project requirements.
Can I migrate from Gatsby to Hugo?
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 Hugo?
Gatsby is react-based ssg with graphql data layer, while Hugo is fastest static site generator, written in go. Key differences: performance (Gatsby: 4/5, Hugo: 5/5), pricing (Free (open-source) vs Free (open-source)), and scalability (Gatsby: 3/5, Hugo: 5/5).
How much does Gatsby cost compared to Hugo?
Gatsby: Free (open-source). Hugo: Free (open-source). Both are open-source, so the main cost difference is hosting and infrastructure.
Which is easier to learn, Gatsby or Hugo?
They're similarly approachable (both 3/5). Gatsby uses JavaScript/TypeScript (React), while Hugo uses Go (Go templates). Your team's existing skills will determine which feels easier.
Which performs better, Gatsby or Hugo?
Hugo has the performance edge (5/5 vs 4/5). As a static site generator, Hugo pre-renders pages for near-instant load times. Gatsby may require additional optimization for high-traffic sites.

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