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Migrate from DatoCMS to SvelteKit

Complete guide to migrating your DatoCMS website to SvelteKit. Leave DatoCMS's graphql-only can be a barrier for teams unfamiliar with it behind and get svelte compiles to vanilla js. Free migration tool included.

20-40 minutes
Medium
100% Free
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TL;DR

You can migrate from DatoCMS to SvelteKit for free using LeaveWP. Enter your site URL, choose SvelteKit as the destination, and download your content — posts, pages, and media — in minutes. No API keys, passwords, or CLI tools required. Difficulty: Medium. Estimated time: 20-40 minutes.

Official docs: SvelteKit Documentation

Why Teams Leave DatoCMS

GraphQL headless CMS with image optimization built in. JAMstack teams wanting a GraphQL CMS with best-in-class image handling, but these limitations push teams toward modern alternatives.

GraphQL-only can be a barrier for teams unfamiliar with it

This is the most common reason teams migrate away from DatoCMS. SvelteKit eliminates this issue entirely.

Free tier is limited; mid-tier pricing is expensive

With SvelteKit, svelte compiles to vanilla js — smallest possible bundle sizes.

Smaller community compared to Contentful or Strapi

Modern architectures like SvelteKit are designed to avoid this from the ground up.

Content migration to/from DatoCMS requires custom tooling

After migrating, you'll no longer need to worry about this — SvelteKit takes a fundamentally different approach.

What SvelteKit Brings to the Table

Full-stack Svelte framework with SSR and SSG. Built with JavaScript/TypeScript (Svelte), it's teams wanting excellent performance with a simpler, more intuitive framework.

Svelte compiles to vanilla JS — smallest possible bundle sizes

Intuitive syntax — easier to learn than React or Vue

Excellent developer experience with fast HMR

File-based routing with SSR, SSG, and SPA modes

SvelteKit is open-source and free to use. You own your code and data with no vendor lock-in. Deploy to any host that supports JavaScript/TypeScript, or use managed platforms like Vercel and Netlify for zero-config deployments.

DatoCMS vs SvelteKit at a Glance

Side-by-side comparison based on real platform characteristics

MetricDatoCMSSvelteKit
Ease of Use⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5
Performance⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5
Flexibility⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5
Cost⭐⭐ 2/5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5
Scalability⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5
Ecosystem⭐⭐⭐ 3/5⭐⭐ 2/5
LanguageAPI-based (GraphQL-first)JavaScript/TypeScript (Svelte)
PricingFree / $99+/monthFree (open-source)
Open SourceNoYes

Ratings are based on publicly available data, documentation, and community consensus as of 2026. Individual experience may vary.

What Gets Migrated

A detailed breakdown of how your DatoCMS content maps to SvelteKit

Content Types from DatoCMS

  • records
  • models
  • uploads
  • sites

Technical Details

Export Method
Content Management API (GraphQL)
Source Language
API-based (GraphQL-first)
Destination Format
Markdown/MDX files with frontmatter, organized by content type
URL Handling
301 redirect map generated automatically to preserve SEO equity

What may need manual attention

Custom server-side logic, third-party integrations, and platform-specific plugins will need equivalent solutions in SvelteKit. The core content (text, images, metadata) transfers cleanly.

How It Works

Migrate your content in three simple steps

1

Connect

Enter your DatoCMS site URL — LeaveWP connects automatically.

2

Configure

Select SvelteKit as destination and choose content options.

3

Export

Download your migrated content or preview it in your browser.

Is DatoCMS to SvelteKit the Right Move for You?

Migrating from DatoCMS to SvelteKit makes the most sense if you're experiencing graphql-only can be a barrier for teams unfamiliar with it or outgrowing DatoCMS's architecture. SvelteKit is best for teams wanting excellent performance with a simpler, more intuitive framework.

You should migrate if: your DatoCMS site is slow, your hosting costs are climbing, you need developer flexibility, or you want to adopt a modern JAMstack architecture.

You might want to stay if: your DatoCMS site benefits from built-in image optimization and responsive image api and you don't have JavaScript/TypeScript developers on your team. DatoCMS is genuinely easy to use, and that simplicity has value.

The migration itself is straightforward with LeaveWP — enter your DatoCMS URL, select SvelteKit, and download your content. The more important question is whether SvelteKit's architecture fits your team's skills and your project's long-term needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to migrate from DatoCMS to SvelteKit?
Most migrations from DatoCMS complete in 20-40 minutes. We pull content via DatoCMS's Content Management API (GraphQL), then structured for SvelteKit. Complex sites with extensive custom fields may take longer.
Will I lose my SEO rankings when migrating from DatoCMS?
No. We help you set up proper 301 redirects from your old DatoCMS URLs to preserve search rankings. SvelteKit actually tends to improve Core Web Vitals scores, which can boost rankings over time.
What DatoCMS content can be migrated to SvelteKit?
DatoCMS content types like records, models, uploads, sites are all migrated to SvelteKit. Content is converted to Markdown/MDX files or structured for your chosen headless CMS.
Do I need JavaScript/TypeScript experience to migrate?
No coding experience is required for the migration itself — LeaveWP handles the export and conversion automatically. However, customizing your SvelteKit site afterward will benefit from JavaScript/TypeScript (Svelte) knowledge. For teams without that expertise, the generated code is well-structured and documented, making it approachable for developers of any level.
How much does it cost to host a SvelteKit site after migrating from DatoCMS?
SvelteKit sites can be deployed to Vercel, Netlify, Cloudflare Pages, or any Node.js host — often on generous free tiers. Compared to DatoCMS's Free / $99+/month pricing, static SvelteKit sites can be hosted for free on Vercel or Netlify (up to generous bandwidth limits), which is significantly cheaper than running a DatoCMS instance.
Can I migrate DatoCMS custom fields and metadata to SvelteKit?
Yes. Custom fields, metadata, and taxonomies from DatoCMS are preserved during migration. In SvelteKit, these become frontmatter fields in your Markdown/MDX files, which you can extend or restructure to fit your content model.

Related Migration Guides

Explore more migration paths from DatoCMS or to SvelteKit

DatoCMS to SvelteKit Guides

In-depth guides and tutorials to help with your migration

Ready to Migrate?

Start your free migration from DatoCMS to SvelteKit today.

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