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Webflow

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Gatsby

Webflow vs Gatsby

Webflow vs Gatsby: which is right for your project? Webflow is visual web development platform with clean code output. Gatsby is react-based ssg with graphql data layer. We compare features, performance, and pricing.

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TL;DR — Our Recommendation

Gatsby wins overall, but Webflow is better for designers who want pixel-perfect control without writing code. Choose Webflow for Designers who want pixel-perfect control without writing code. Choose Gatsby for Content-rich sites pulling data from multiple sources via GraphQL.

Official docs: Webflow Developer Docs · Gatsby Documentation

Migrate Webflow → Gatsby

Feature by Feature Comparison

Feature	Webflow	Gatsby
Ease of Use	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐
Performance	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Flexibility	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Cost Value	⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Scalability	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐
Ecosystem	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐

Pros & Cons

Webflow

Pros

Generates clean, semantic HTML/CSS — no code bloat
Full CSS control with a visual interface (like coding without typing)
Built-in CMS with API access and structured content
Good performance with global CDN hosting included

Cons

Steep learning curve for non-designers (CSS concepts required)
CMS is limited to 10,000 items on the highest plan
No server-side logic — relies on third-party integrations
Per-site pricing adds up for agencies managing multiple clients

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

Platform Details

Detail	Webflow	Gatsby
Language / Stack	Visual (generates HTML/CSS/JS)	JavaScript/TypeScript (React)
Type	website builder	ssg
Pricing	Free / $14-39/month	Free (open-source)
Open Source	No	Yes
Best For	Designers who want pixel-perfect control without writing code	Content-rich sites pulling data from multiple sources via GraphQL
Export Method	CMS API or HTML export (static code)	N/A (destination framework)

When to Choose Each Platform

Choose Webflow if…

You need designers who want pixel-perfect control without writing code
Your team is comfortable with Visual (generates HTML/CSS/JS)

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

Which Should You Pick?

The right choice between Webflow and Gatsby depends on three things: your team's technical skills, your project timeline, and your long-term content strategy.

These platforms take fundamentally different approaches. Webflow is a website builder built with Visual (generates HTML/CSS/JS), while Gatsby is a ssg built with JavaScript/TypeScript (React). 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, Webflow's familiar editing interface may save you onboarding time.

From a cost perspective, Gatsby is open-source (Free (open-source)), while Webflow (Free / $14-39/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 offers a free Webflow → Gatsby migration tool that preserves your URLs, metadata, and content structure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Webflow better than Gatsby?

Gatsby scores higher overall (22/30 vs 19/30) thanks to stronger ecosystem. However, Webflow remains the better choice for Designers who want pixel-perfect control without writing code.

Can I migrate from Webflow to Gatsby?

Yes. Export your Webflow content via CMS API or HTML export (static code), 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 Webflow and Gatsby?

Webflow is visual web development platform with clean code output, while Gatsby is react-based ssg with graphql data layer. Key differences: performance (Webflow: 4/5, Gatsby: 4/5), pricing (Free / $14-39/month vs Free (open-source)), and scalability (Webflow: 3/5, Gatsby: 3/5).

How much does Webflow cost compared to Gatsby?

Webflow: Free / $14-39/month. Gatsby: Free (open-source). Gatsby is open-source and free to self-host, while Webflow is a paid platform.

Which is easier to learn, Webflow or Gatsby?

They're similarly approachable (both 3/5). Webflow uses Visual (generates HTML/CSS/JS), while Gatsby uses JavaScript/TypeScript (React). Your team's existing skills will determine which feels easier.

Which performs better, Webflow or Gatsby?

Both score equally on performance (4/5). The real difference depends on your setup: Webflow uses Visual (generates HTML/CSS/JS), Gatsby uses JavaScript/TypeScript (React). Proper caching and CDN configuration matters more than the platform itself at this tier.

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