Next.js vs Astro: Why I Migrated to Islands Architecture
A technical deep dive into my migration from Next.js to Astro. How I moved from 10ms blocking time to a perfect 0ms with top-tier performance.
The Quest for Absolute Performance
After spending a lot of time optimizing my Next.js site, I decided to put Astro to the test. The goal was simple: eliminate unnecessary client-side JavaScript without sacrificing user experience.
Head-to-Head: Home Page
The results after deployment leave no room for doubt. Astro doesn’t just match Next.js; it outperforms it in critical resource management.
Desktop
| Framework | Performance | Accessibility | Best Practices | SEO | Blocking Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Next.js | 99 | 88 | 96 | 100 | 10ms |
| Astro | 100 | 89 | 100 | 100 | 0ms |
Mobile
On mobile devices, where processors are more limited, Astro’s architecture truly shines.
| Framework | Performance | Accessibility | Best Practices | SEO | Blocking Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Next.js | 89 | 88 | 96 | 100 | 10ms |
| Astro | 100 | 84 | 100 | 100 | 0ms |
“Achieving a 100 performance score on mobile with 0ms blocking time is the difference between a fast site and an instant one.”
Technical Takeaway
The big win here is the Blocking Time. By moving from 10ms to 0ms, we have completely eliminated any interactivity delays. Next.js is an amazing tool, but for a portfolio where content is static, React’s hydration was a “tax” I’m no longer willing to pay.
What’s next? Keeping these 100s across the board while adding more projects and multimedia content.