Hugo vs Next.js:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Next.js had more branded searches than Hugo among static site generators worldwide. Next.js had about 301,000 branded searches, while Hugo had 320. Next.js made up 42.4% of all static site generator searches we track, and Hugo accounted for 0.05%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about static site generators, both Hugo and Next.js appeared in all five answers. Hugo was mentioned before Next.js in four out of five answers.
Who do people search for more?
Next.js, about 941 searches for every 1 for Hugo
Who does AI mention more?
Both are mentioned in every answer we collected.
Who does AI recommend more?
Hugo, named ahead of Next.js in 4 of 5 answers
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Top static site generators in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, both Hugo and Next.js showed up in all five answers. Hugo was listed before Next.js in four of them.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Next.js5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Eleventy5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Astro5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- Hugo5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Docusaurus4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Jekyll3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Gatsby1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about static site generators
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which static site generator should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best static site generators?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best static site generator for static websites?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“static site generators”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“static website builder”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.
Is Hugo or Next.js more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Hugo and Next.js by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven static site generators we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Next.js, Hugo. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Gatsby | Next.js | Eleventy | Jekyll | Docusaurus | Astro | Hugo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 39.9% | 48.7% | 3.6% | 3.6% | 3.6% | 0.58% | 0.09% |
| Nov 2025 | 43.7% | 43.7% | 3.9% | 3.9% | 3.9% | 0.64% | 0.09% |
| Dec 2025 | 40.1% | 49% | 3% | 3.6% | 3.6% | 0.59% | 0.06% |
| Jan 2026 | 38.9% | 47.6% | 3.5% | 4.3% | 4.3% | 1.3% | 0.09% |
| Feb 2026 | 43.4% | 43.4% | 3.9% | 4.8% | 3.2% | 1.2% | 0.1% |
| Mar 2026 | 39.3% | 48.1% | 3.5% | 4.3% | 3.5% | 1.1% | 0.08% |
| Apr 2026 | 43.1% | 43.1% | 3.9% | 4.7% | 3.9% | 1.2% | 0.07% |
| May 2026 | 43.4% | 43.4% | 3.9% | 4.8% | 3.2% | 1.2% | 0.07% |
| Jun 2026 | 38.6% | 47.2% | 3.5% | 4.2% | 5.2% | 1.3% | 0.05% |
| Jul 2026 | 43% | 43% | 3.9% | 4.7% | 3.9% | 1.4% | 0.06% |
| Aug 2026 | 42.7% | 42.7% | 3.8% | 4.7% | 4.7% | 1.4% | 0.05% |
| Sep 2026 | 42.4% | 42.4% | 5.7% | 4.7% | 3.1% | 1.7% | 0.05% |
How has the Hugo and Next.js comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Next.js was ahead of Hugo in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Hugo’s share of searches among static site generators worldwide moved from 0.09% to 0.05%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1K to 320.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Next.js’ share of searches among static site generators worldwide moved from 48.7% to 42.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 550K to 301K.
How did search popularity change for static site generators worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
Next.js’ share of searches among static site generators worldwide has lost ground for 3 months in a row, from 47.2% to 42.4% in September 2026.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Hugo worldwide fell 68% over 12 measured months, from 1K to 320 in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Hugo’s and Next.js’ names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
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