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Gatsby

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Kentico

Gatsby vs Kentico

Gatsby vs Kentico: which is right for your project? Gatsby is react-based ssg with graphql data layer. Kentico is .net enterprise dxp with built-in marketing tools. We compare features, performance, and pricing.

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TL;DR — Our Recommendation

Gatsby wins overall, but Kentico is better for .net enterprises needing an all-in-one dxp with marketing automation. Choose Gatsby for Content-rich sites pulling data from multiple sources via GraphQL. Choose Kentico for .NET enterprises needing an all-in-one DXP with marketing automation.

Official docs: Gatsby Documentation

Feature by Feature Comparison

FeatureGatsbyKentico
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

Kentico

Pros

  • Integrated marketing automation, email, and A/B testing
  • Deep integration with the Microsoft/.NET ecosystem
  • Built-in e-commerce, forms, and personalization
  • Enterprise SLA support and compliance features

Cons

  • Expensive licensing limits it to enterprise budgets
  • Vendor lock-in with proprietary technology stack
  • Requires .NET developers who are less common in CMS space
  • Heavy platform — overpowered for simple content sites

Platform Details

DetailGatsbyKentico
Language / Stack
JavaScript/TypeScript (React).NET / C#
Type
ssgtraditional cms
Pricing
Free (open-source)Paid ($10K+/year)
Open Source
YesNo
Best For
Content-rich sites pulling data from multiple sources via GraphQL.NET enterprises needing an all-in-one DXP with marketing automation
Export Method
N/A (destination framework)REST API or direct database access

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 Kentico if…

  • You need .net enterprises needing an all-in-one dxp with marketing automation
  • Your team is comfortable with .NET / C#

Which Should You Pick?

The right choice between Gatsby and Kentico 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 Kentico is a traditional cms built with .NET / C#. 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, Kentico's familiar editing interface may save you onboarding time.

From a cost perspective, Gatsby is open-source (Free (open-source)), while Kentico (Paid ($10K+/year)) 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 KenticoGatsby migration tool that preserves your URLs, metadata, and content structure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Gatsby better than Kentico?
Gatsby scores higher overall (22/30 vs 17/30) thanks to better performance. However, Kentico is the better choice for .NET enterprises needing an all-in-one DXP with marketing automation.
Can I migrate from Gatsby to Kentico?
Yes. Export your Gatsby content via N/A (destination framework), then import it into Kentico. LeaveWP can help automate this process while preserving your SEO metadata and URL structure.
What are the main differences between Gatsby and Kentico?
Gatsby is react-based ssg with graphql data layer, while Kentico is .net enterprise dxp with built-in marketing tools. Key differences: performance (Gatsby: 4/5, Kentico: 3/5), pricing (Free (open-source) vs Paid ($10K+/year)), and ecosystem size (Gatsby: 3/5, Kentico: 2/5).
How much does Gatsby cost compared to Kentico?
Gatsby: Free (open-source). Kentico: Paid ($10K+/year). Gatsby is open-source and free to self-host, while Kentico is a paid platform.
Which is easier to learn, Gatsby or Kentico?
They're similarly approachable (both 3/5). Gatsby uses JavaScript/TypeScript (React), while Kentico uses .NET / C#. Your team's existing skills will determine which feels easier.
Which performs better, Gatsby or Kentico?
Gatsby has the performance edge (4/5 vs 3/5). As a static site generator, Gatsby pre-renders pages for near-instant load times. Kentico Heavy platform — overpowered for simple content sites.

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