📦

Hugo

VS
📦

Framer

Hugo vs Framer

Hugo vs Framer: which is right for your project? Hugo is fastest static site generator, written in go. Framer is design-to-production website builder with react components. We compare features, performance, and pricing.

Start Migration

TL;DR — Our Recommendation

Hugo wins overall, but Framer is better for designers creating marketing sites with polished animations. Choose Hugo for Documentation sites and blogs where build speed and simplicity matter most. Choose Framer for Designers creating marketing sites with polished animations.

Official docs: Hugo Documentation

Feature by Feature Comparison

FeatureHugoFramer
Ease of Use
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Performance
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Flexibility
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Cost Value
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Scalability
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ecosystem
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Pros & Cons

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

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

DetailHugoFramer
Language / Stack
Go (Go templates)React (custom components)
Type
ssgwebsite builder
Pricing
Free (open-source)Free / $5-15/month
Open Source
YesNo
Best For
Documentation sites and blogs where build speed and simplicity matter mostDesigners 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 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

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 Hugo 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. Hugo is a ssg built with Go (Go templates), 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, Hugo 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 Hugo better than Framer?
Hugo scores higher overall (24/30 vs 20/30) thanks to better performance. However, Framer is the better choice for Designers creating marketing sites with polished animations.
Can I migrate from Hugo to Framer?
Yes. Export your Hugo 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 Hugo and Framer?
Hugo is fastest static site generator, written in go, while Framer is design-to-production website builder with react components. Key differences: ease of use (Hugo: 3/5, Framer: 4/5), pricing (Free (open-source) vs Free / $5-15/month), and ecosystem size (Hugo: 3/5, Framer: 2/5).
How much does Hugo cost compared to Framer?
Hugo: Free (open-source). Framer: Free / $5-15/month. Hugo is open-source and free to self-host, while Framer is a paid platform.
Which is easier to learn, Hugo or Framer?
Framer is easier to pick up (4/5 vs 3/5). Stunning animations and interactions with no code. Hugo Go template syntax has a steep learning curve.
Which performs better, Hugo or Framer?
Hugo has the performance edge (5/5 vs 4/5). As a static site generator, Hugo pre-renders pages for near-instant load times. Framer may require additional optimization for high-traffic sites.

Related Comparisons

Explore more comparisons featuring Hugo or Framer

Hugo vs Framer Guides

In-depth guides and tutorials to help with your migration

Ready to Migrate?

Move your content between Hugo, Framer, and 60+ other platforms with our free migration tool.

Start Free Migration