Gatsby vs Hexo
Which should you use? A side-by-side look at what each one does, who it suits, what it costs, how hard it is to set up, and where each falls short.
Open source · MIT
A React-based framework for building fast websites and apps, with static or server rendering.
Open source · MIT
A Node.js tool that turns Markdown posts into a static blog website.
The short answer
Choose Gatsby if you need…
- Developers building content-heavy sites such as blogs or documentation
- Teams that already work with React and want a shared GraphQL data layer
- Projects that need a mix of static, deferred, and server-rendered pages
- Anyone who wants a site hosted on a CDN without running servers
Choose Hexo if you need…
- Bloggers who want a fast static site they fully control
- Developers already comfortable with Node.js and the command line
- People who want to deploy to GitHub Pages or similar hosts with one command
- Writers who prefer working in Markdown
Side-by-side
| Gatsby | Hexo | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Framework | Framework |
| Price | Free and open source | Free and open source |
| Licence | MIT | MIT |
| GitHub stars | 55.9k | 41.8k |
| Setup difficulty | Intermediate | Intermediate |
| How you get it | Install with a package manager | Install with a package manager |
| Main language | JavaScript | TypeScript |
| Last code update | 17 days ago | 10 days ago |
What each one is
Gatsby
Gatsby is a free, open-source framework built on React for making websites and web apps. It pulls data from sources such as Markdown files, headless CMSs, or REST and GraphQL APIs, then builds pages that load quickly. The README says it automates tasks like code splitting, image optimization, and lazy-loading.
Hexo
Hexo is an open-source blog framework built on Node.js. You write posts in Markdown, and it generates a folder of plain static HTML files that you can host almost anywhere. The README describes it as fast and extensible, with themes and plugins available for customization.
Best for
Gatsby
- Developers building content-heavy sites such as blogs or documentation
- Teams that already work with React and want a shared GraphQL data layer
- Projects that need a mix of static, deferred, and server-rendered pages
- Anyone who wants a site hosted on a CDN without running servers
Hexo
- Bloggers who want a fast static site they fully control
- Developers already comfortable with Node.js and the command line
- People who want to deploy to GitHub Pages or similar hosts with one command
- Writers who prefer working in Markdown
Strengths
Gatsby
- The README lists built-in performance features such as code splitting and image optimization
- It supports static, deferred static, and server-side rendering on a per-page basis
- It has a large plugin and starter ecosystem and an active community
Hexo
- The README describes it as fast at generating sites
- Supports GitHub Flavored Markdown and most Octopress plugins
- Large ecosystem of themes and plugins, and an API for extension
Not ideal for
Gatsby
- Beginners with no React or JavaScript experience, since the README assumes developer skills
- Very simple static pages, where a plain HTML generator may be less work
- Teams that need to avoid learning GraphQL and a plugin-based data pipeline
Hexo
- People who want a no-code, hosted blogging service, since Hexo requires installing and running Node.js tools
- Non-technical users who are uncomfortable with the terminal, since setup uses commands like npm and hexo server
- Sites needing dynamic server-side features, since Hexo generates static files
Trade-offs
Gatsby
- The README does not describe the learning curve in detail, and it assumes React and GraphQL knowledge
- Its feature set and plugin model add complexity compared with simpler site generators
- The README is truncated, so details about the security claims in the description are not verified here
Hexo
- Requires Node.js and command-line familiarity to set up and use
- Output is static, so dynamic features need other tools or services
- Quality and maintenance of third-party themes and plugins vary and are not covered by the README
Getting started
Gatsby
Initialize a new project
npm init gatsbyStart the site in develop mode
cd my-gatsby-site/ && npm run developHexo
Install Hexo CLI globally
npm install hexo-cli -gInstall with Homebrew (macOS and Linux)
brew install hexoFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between Gatsby and Hexo?
Gatsby: A React-based framework for building fast websites and apps, with static or server rendering. Hexo: A Node.js tool that turns Markdown posts into a static blog website. Gatsby suits developers building content-heavy sites such as blogs or documentation, while Hexo suits bloggers who want a fast static site they fully control.
Are Gatsby and Hexo free?
Gatsby: Free and open source. Hexo: Free and open source.
Is Gatsby or Hexo more popular?
Gatsby has more GitHub stars (55.9k) than Hexo (41.8k). Popularity isn't the same as fit — check which one matches your use case above.
What are other alternatives to Gatsby and Hexo?
Other options people compare them with include Next.js, Nextra, Wasp, refine, React Static.
Keep comparing
Built from our catalogue entries for both products: open-source details come from each project's README (AI-assisted, refreshed weekly) and GitHub data; AI-tool details are editorial. Spotted something wrong? Let us know from either product's page.