Astro vs Next.js: Choosing the Right Framework

Two Different Philosophies

Astro focuses on shipping as little JavaScript as possible by default. Next.js focuses on a React-first full-stack experience with server rendering, routing, and data fetching built in.

Performance and Payload

Astro renders pages to static HTML by default and hydrates only the interactive islands you need. This often leads to smaller bundles and faster first paint on content-heavy pages.

Next.js can be fast too, but performance depends on how you split client and server components, and how much JavaScript you ship.

Routing and Data Fetching

Next.js provides a cohesive story for routing, server components, streaming, and API routes. Astro is framework-agnostic and lets you bring your own UI libraries per page or per component.

When Astro Wins

• Marketing sites and blogs with heavy content.
• Documentation sites where performance is critical.
• Mixed-framework sites that need selective hydration.

When Next.js Wins

• Applications that require complex auth and server logic.
• Teams already deep in the React ecosystem.
• Apps that benefit from server components and streaming UI.

Conclusion

Choose Astro when content and speed are the priority. Choose Next.js when you need a React-first app platform with a strong server story.