Static Site Generators vs Dynamic Frameworks: A Decision Framework

Overview

Static Site Generators (SSGs) render content to static HTML at build time, delivering ultra-fast, cacheable pages via CDNs. Dynamic frameworks render on the server or client, enabling real-time data, complex interactivity, and personalized experiences. The best choice depends on content, traffic, interactivity, and operational constraints.

When to use Static Site Generators

• Content is largely static and updates are infrequent.
• You want blazing-fast first paint and low hosting costs with CDN caching.
• The site is marketing, documentation, blog, or brochure-like.

When to use Dynamic Frameworks

• Content is highly personalized or requires user authentication.
• Real-time data, live updates, or complex user interactions are essential.
• You need server-side rendering with dynamic routes, or you rely on user-specific content.

A practical decision framework

• Question 1: Is your core content static and updates predictable?
  • Yes -> consider SSG with optional client-side enhancements.
  • No -> lean dynamic framework or hybrid.
• Question 2: Do you require interactivity that depends on the user or data that changes often?
  • Yes -> dynamic framework or a hybrid approach.
  • No -> SSG may suffice with progressive enhancement.
• Question 3: Do you expect high read traffic with strict latency requirements?
  • Yes -> SSG with CDN and possibly ISR or hybrid rendering.
  • No -> either approach depending on other constraints.
• Question 4: Is your team comfortable with build times and deployment complexity?
  • Yes -> dynamic frameworks can handle complex apps; SSGs require faster iteration or incremental builds.
  • No -> prefer simpler SSGs or choose a hybrid with incremental builds.

Hybrid approaches and best practices

• Use a static site for the majority of pages and add dynamic components where needed.
• Leverage hybrid frameworks that offer both pre-rendering and server-side rendering.
• Consider incremental builds or ISR to avoid full rebuilds on updates.
• Use client-side data fetching to fetch dynamic content after the page loads.

Practical example and decision flow

• A marketing site with a docs portal and a customer dashboard would typically benefit from a static shell with dynamic components, API routes for the dashboard, and incremental updates to content.

Takeaways

• There is no universal winner. The right architecture depends on content lifecycle, interactivity, data freshness, and the team’s skills. Start with a clear profile of content and interactivity, then map to an architecture that minimizes rebuilds while maximizing user experience.