What Is Astro? A Plain-English Explanation
Astro is a free tool for building fast websites. Here's what it does, who it's for, and how it differs from WordPress and React.
Tested on Astro 7.4
In this guide
Astro is a free tool for building websites. You write your pages, Astro turns them into finished web files, and you put those files online.
It’s best at sites that are mostly for reading, like blogs, portfolios, business sites and documentation.
What makes Astro different
Most modern web tools send a lot of JavaScript to your visitors, and their browsers have to process it before the page feels ready. Astro takes the opposite approach. It sends plain HTML by default and adds JavaScript only where you ask for it.
That’s why Astro sites tend to load quickly, even on old phones and slow connections.
What are islands?
Picture a page as a calm sea of plain HTML. Now and then, you need something interactive, such as a search box. That one piece becomes an island, and it loads its own JavaScript while everything around it stays simple.
You can build islands with popular tools including React, Vue and Svelte, and you can mix them on the same site.
What can you build with it?
- Blogs and magazines
- Portfolios and personal sites
- Small business websites
- Documentation
- Landing pages
Astro can also run server code for things like logins, using on-demand rendering. But a dashboard-style app is often a better fit for a tool built around apps.
Is it right for you?
Astro suits you if you want a fast site, and you’re happy to work with files and a few commands. If you never want to see a line of code, a hosted site builder will make you happier.
Still unsure? Take our two-minute check, or see how it compares in Astro vs Next.js and Astro vs WordPress.
What about EmDash?
You may also hear about EmDash, Cloudflare’s open-source CMS. It’s built on Astro and adds a dashboard for editing. We explain it in what is EmDash.
Frequently asked questions
Is Astro free?
Yes. Astro is free and open source under the MIT license, including for commercial sites.
Who owns Astro?
The Astro Technology Company, which makes Astro, joined Cloudflare in January 2026. Cloudflare says Astro will stay open source and MIT-licensed.
Is Astro a website builder like Wix?
No. You work with files on your computer rather than dragging things around in a browser. In return, you get more control and a faster site.
Stuck on a step?
Check the common errors guide, look up a word in the glossary, or ask in the official Astro Discord, where the support channels are friendly to beginners.