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Astro

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Build fast content sites with less JavaScript

Free plan available, paid tiers above
Freemium Developer Tools Static Site Generators UI/UX Design
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Reviews on G2
136 reviews tracked

The Bottom Line

Price
Free plan available, paid tiers above. Compare plans

Key facts

  • Astro is a web framework for building content-focused websites with any UI framework
  • It ships zero JavaScript by default and only hydrates interactive components
  • Free and open-source, hosting on Astro Cloud available

Pros

  • Zero JavaScript by default
  • Content-focused architecture
  • Use any UI framework
  • Great for blogs and docs
  • Excellent performance

Cons

  • Not for complex apps
  • Island architecture confusing
  • Smaller ecosystem
  • Less suitable for SPAs
  • Learning curve

What is Astro?

Editorial review
Astro builds content-focused websites with partial hydration that sends minimal JavaScript to browsers. Use any UI framework you like-React, Vue, Svelte-but only ship code for interactive components. Static sites are fully static with zero JS by default. Islands architecture means the whole page doesn't need to be a client-side app just because one widget needs interactivity. Content sites, documentation, and marketing pages built with Astro load dramatically faster than typical React sites while keeping the DX developers expect.

Available on: Web

how we evaluate Source astro.build ↗

Ratings Across the Web

4.5 (136 reviews)

Astro holds an aggregate rating of 4.5 out of 5 from 136 reviews across G2, last checked September 6, 2026.

G2 136 reviews
4.5/5

Ratings aggregated from independent review platforms. Learn more

Key Features

  • Content sites
  • Islands architecture
  • Zero JS by default
  • Multi-framework
  • SSG/SSR
  • Fast builds

Pricing Plans

Pricing checked Oct 7, 2026

Astro plans and prices, checked October 2026
PlanPriceDetails
Free

$0

Open source

  • Web framework
  • Zero JS by default
  • Component islands
+2 more
  • SSG & SSR
  • MIT license
View full pricing

Is Astro worth the price?

Great value

Astro is completely free and open-source under the MIT license.

There is no paid tier for the framework itself. Astro Studio (hosted database) existed briefly but has been deprecated in favor of third-party solutions like Turso.

Your only costs are hosting, which you choose independently (Vercel, Netlify, Cloudflare Pages, all with generous free tiers).

Hidden Costs & Gotchas

Hosting is separate, but free tiers from Vercel/Netlify/Cloudflare cover most sites

Server-side rendering requires a Node.js host (adds cost vs static hosting)

Astro DB/Studio was deprecated, database needs solved separately via Turso, Supabase, etc.

Full Astro pricing: every plan, hidden costs and alternatives

Reviews

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4.5/5

Across 136 verified user reviews on G2

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Still deciding?

Most buyers shortlist 2 or 3 tools before committing. Pull a side-by-side comparison or browse the full alternatives shortlist below.

Astro vs Next.js Head-to-head: features, pricing, who wins Astro vs Gatsby Head-to-head: features, pricing, who wins Astro vs Remix Head-to-head: features, pricing, who wins

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Astro FAQ

How does Astro improve website performance?

Astro improves website performance by sending minimal JavaScript to browsers, leveraging partial hydration. It builds content-focused websites that load dramatically faster than typical sites by only shipping code for interactive components.

Which UI frameworks can developers use with Astro?

Developers can use any UI framework they prefer with Astro, including React, Vue, and Svelte. Astro's design allows for flexibility, letting developers choose their preferred tools while still benefiting from its performance optimizations.

What kind of user or team benefits most from Astro?

Astro is best suited for teams and developers building content-focused websites such as blogs, documentation, and marketing pages. Its strengths lie in delivering excellent performance for sites where content is paramount.

How does Astro compare to Next.js for website development?

Astro is designed for content-focused sites with zero JavaScript by default, leading to faster load times, while Next.js is often used for more complex applications. Astro allows developers to use any UI framework, but it is less suitable for Single Page Applications compared to Next.js.

Does Astro include a free tier for developers?

Yes, Astro is available on a free tier, allowing developers to get started without initial cost. Paid plans are also offered for those requiring more usage or additional features.

When is Astro not the ideal choice for a project?

Astro is not the ideal choice for complex applications or Single Page Applications (SPAs) due to its content-focused architecture. Its island architecture can also be confusing for some developers, and it has a smaller ecosystem compared to more established frameworks.

How does Astro handle JavaScript for interactive components?

Astro handles JavaScript for interactive components through partial hydration, meaning it only ships the necessary code for those specific interactive parts. This approach ensures that the majority of the page remains static and fast, even if a widget requires interactivity.

Source: astro.build

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