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Gatsby vs Sanity

Gatsby vs Sanity: which is right for your project? Gatsby is react-based ssg with graphql data layer. Sanity is real-time collaborative headless cms with customizable studio. We compare features, performance, and pricing.

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TL;DR — Our Recommendation

It depends — Gatsby and Sanity serve different use cases well. Choose Gatsby for Content-rich sites pulling data from multiple sources via GraphQL. Choose Sanity for Developer-led teams wanting maximum flexibility in content modeling and editing experience.

Official docs: Gatsby Documentation · Sanity Documentation

Feature by Feature Comparison

FeatureGatsbySanity
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

Sanity

Pros

  • GROQ query language is more powerful and flexible than GraphQL
  • Real-time collaborative editing (like Google Docs)
  • Fully customizable React-based Studio admin panel
  • Portable Text format gives structured rich text (not raw HTML)

Cons

  • GROQ is a custom query language with its own learning curve
  • Studio customization requires React development knowledge
  • Per-user pricing gets expensive for large editorial teams
  • Steeper setup curve than GUI-first headless CMS options

Platform Details

DetailGatsbySanity
Language / Stack
JavaScript/TypeScript (React)JavaScript/TypeScript (React-based Studio)
Type
ssgheadless cms
Pricing
Free (open-source)Free / $15+/month per user
Open Source
YesYes
Best For
Content-rich sites pulling data from multiple sources via GraphQLDeveloper-led teams wanting maximum flexibility in content modeling and editing experience
Export Method
N/A (destination framework)GROQ API, GraphQL API, or Sanity 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 Sanity if…

  • You need developer-led teams wanting maximum flexibility in content modeling and editing experience
  • Your team is comfortable with JavaScript/TypeScript (React-based Studio)
  • You want an open-source solution with full code ownership

Which Should You Pick?

The right choice between Gatsby and Sanity 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 Sanity is a headless cms built with JavaScript/TypeScript (React-based Studio). 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, 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 Sanity?
They're closely matched (22/30 vs 24/30). Gatsby is best for Content-rich sites pulling data from multiple sources via GraphQL, while Sanity excels for Developer-led teams wanting maximum flexibility in content modeling and editing experience. Your choice should depend on your team's skills and project requirements.
Can I migrate from Gatsby to Sanity?
Yes. Export your Gatsby content via N/A (destination framework), then import it into Sanity. LeaveWP can help automate this process while preserving your SEO metadata and URL structure.
What are the main differences between Gatsby and Sanity?
Gatsby is react-based ssg with graphql data layer, while Sanity is real-time collaborative headless cms with customizable studio. Key differences: performance (Gatsby: 4/5, Sanity: 5/5), pricing (Free (open-source) vs Free / $15+/month per user), and scalability (Gatsby: 3/5, Sanity: 5/5).
How much does Gatsby cost compared to Sanity?
Gatsby: Free (open-source). Sanity: Free / $15+/month per user. Both are open-source, so the main cost difference is hosting and infrastructure.
Which is easier to learn, Gatsby or Sanity?
They're similarly approachable (both 3/5). Gatsby uses JavaScript/TypeScript (React), while Sanity uses JavaScript/TypeScript (React-based Studio). Your team's existing skills will determine which feels easier.
Which performs better, Gatsby or Sanity?
Sanity has the performance edge (5/5 vs 4/5). Sanity has strong performance characteristics. Gatsby may require additional optimization for high-traffic sites.

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