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Head-to-head · Frameworks

Gatsby vs Astro Starlight

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score Gatsby #3 in Frameworks 9.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 4 features Visit Gatsby
Astro Starlight #6 in Frameworks 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 4 features Try Astro Starlight

Gatsby leads on 0 checks, Astro Starlight on 0, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreGatsby · 9.1/10
  • Free planboth

Gatsby scores higher on our rubric for frameworks: 9.1 against 8.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #6.

Gatsby is the better fit for react sites needing rich content integrations. Astro Starlight is the better fit for teams building searchable documentation sites.

  • Gatsby fits best

    React sites needing rich content integrations

  • Astro Starlight fits best

    Teams building searchable documentation sites

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Side by side

Feature Gatsby 9.1/10 Visit ↗ Astro Starlight 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 8.8
Ranking #3 in Frameworks #6 in Frameworks
Best for React sites needing rich content integrations Teams building searchable documentation sites
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted Self-hosted
Platforms Web Web
Support Community, Docs Community, Docs
Integrations 8 integrations 5 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Gatsby 1/4 · Astro Starlight 1/4
Open source ✓ ✓
Self-hosting Not checked yet Not checked yet
Database tools Not checked yet Not checked yet
Managed hosting Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Framework scope Not checked yet Not checked yet
Supported languages JavaScript, Node.js Not checked yet
Target platforms Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • GraphQL data layer unifies files, APIs, CMSs and databases
  • Supports static generation, SSR, DSG and incremental builds
  • Connects with Contentful, WordPress, Shopify, Drupal and more
  • Built-in Pagefind search with configurable site navigation
  • Markdown, MDX, and Markdoc authoring with type-safe frontmatter
  • Supports i18n, SEO, code highlighting, and custom UI components
Cons
  • Requires JavaScript and Node.js development
  • GraphQL adds a data-layer abstraction to projects
  • Primary support channels are documentation and community
  • Deployment is listed for self-hosted environments
  • Versioning requires the Starlight versions plugin
  • Support is provided through community and documentation channels
Our verdict

Gatsby is an open-source, React-based framework for building websites and web applications. It generates production-ready HTML and static files, while also supporting server-side rendering and Deferred Static Generation. The framework…

Read the review →

Astro Starlight is an open-source framework for creating documentation websites with Astro. It is designed for developer and technical documentation teams that prefer a docs-as-code workflow. Projects can be authored in Markdown, MDX, or…

Read the review →
  1. GatsbyFrameworks 9.1Free plan
  2. Astro StarlightFrameworks 8.8Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Gatsby — where it wins

    • GraphQL data layer unifies files, APIs, CMSs and databases
    • Supports static generation, SSR, DSG and incremental builds
    • Connects with Contentful, WordPress, Shopify, Drupal and more

    Where it doesn't

    • Requires JavaScript and Node.js development
    • GraphQL adds a data-layer abstraction to projects
    • Primary support channels are documentation and community

  • Astro Starlight — where it wins

    • Built-in Pagefind search with configurable site navigation
    • Markdown, MDX, and Markdoc authoring with type-safe frontmatter
    • Supports i18n, SEO, code highlighting, and custom UI components

    Where it doesn't

    • Deployment is listed for self-hosted environments
    • Versioning requires the Starlight versions plugin
    • Support is provided through community and documentation channels

More comparisons

All frameworks comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update