Astro vs Next.js vs 11ty - Which is Fastest for Portfolio 2025?

Astro vs Next.js vs 11ty: Which is Fastest for Portfolio in 2025?

You Googled "Astro vs Next.js" for your portfolio. Here is the honest answer from building all three.

The Test: Same portfolio design, built in Astro, Next.js, and 11ty Litov.

Results Lighthouse:

• Astro: 92/100 - ships 45kb islands JS
• Next.js: 88/100 - ships 120kb React hydration
• 11ty Litov: 100/100 - ships 0kb JS by default

Why 11ty Wins for Portfolio:

1. Astro: Great for interactive components. But portfolio doesn't need islands. You pay JS cost for nothing. Good if you need interactive, overkill for minimalist.

2. Next.js: Built for web apps. Portfolio is not an app. You get complex routing, API routes, React overhead — all useless for SEO content. Deployment costs higher too.

3. 11ty Litov: Pure JAMstack. Static HTML, no hydration. Loads in 0.8s, ranks instantly. Built with Awesome Version, the next evolution of 11ty.

SEO Reality:

Google wants speed. Astro and Next.js fight hydration. 11ty Litov is already static. Our clients who migrated from Astro to 11ty saw 30% faster LCP.

Cost:

• Astro: Free, but need dev for islands
• Next.js: Free, but Vercel costs scale
• Litov 11ty: $145 once, unlimited projects, deploy anywhere

When to Use What:

• Use Astro if you need many interactive widgets
• Use Next.js if you build SaaS app
• Use 11ty Litov if you build portfolio, agency, blog that must rank and convert

Bottom Line: If you searched Astro theme or Next.js theme for portfolio, Litov 11ty is what you actually need. Same modern stack, faster result.

We tested. 11ty Litov beats Astro and Next.js for content sites.

Want the fastest portfolio theme?

Litov 11ty - minimalist, Lighthouse 100, CMS ready. $145 lifetime.

Buy Litov 11ty Now - $145