Starlight
Starlight is an Astro documentation theme: sidebar, search, i18n, and Markdown/MDX pages compiled to a static site.
OUR TAKE
Pick Starlight for docs teams already on Astro (or willing to start there) who will host the build. You host the build.
Good fit
Docs teams already on Astro (or willing to start there) who will host the build.
Poor fit
Teams who need a Next.js docs app (Fumadocs) or a hosted API playground (Mintlify).
Starlight
USD, before tax · Checked 2026-10-28 · Not published by the vendor
OUR TAKE
Pick Starlight for docs teams already on Astro (or willing to start there) who will host the build. You host the build.
Good fit
Docs teams already on Astro (or willing to start there) who will host the build.
Poor fit
Teams who need a Next.js docs app (Fumadocs) or a hosted API playground (Mintlify).
Starlight
USD, before tax · Checked 2026-10-28 · Not published by the vendor
What it costs
USD, before tax · Checked 2026-10-28 · Not published by the vendor
Starlight
Official Astro docs theme
$0
Hosting
Not published by the vendor
Not published by the vendor
Checked 2026-10-28·Not published by the vendor
Before you pay
Good fit
Docs teams already on Astro (or willing to start there) who will host the build.
Poor fit
Teams who need a Next.js docs app (Fumadocs) or a hosted API playground (Mintlify).
Watch out
You host the build
Instead, try
Docusaurus if MIT React/static generator when you are not on Astro; Fumadocs if Next.js docs when the app is already Next
Compare Starlight with
Limits, in full
- 01
You host the build
- 02
Astro-only. Not a drop-in for a Next.js app.
- 03
A docs theme, not an OpenAPI explorer. For that see Scalar or Redoc.
If Starlight isn't it
Why: MIT React/static generator when you are not on Astro.
Free· open source,MIT
You host the buildChecked 2026-10-23·github.com/facebook/docusaurus
vs Starlight
Why: Next.js docs when the app is already Next.
Free· open source,MIT
You run a Next.js appChecked 2026-10-28·Not published by the vendor
vs Starlight
Why: hosted Free $0 when you will not run a static build.
Free· paid from$65/user/mo
Free is one person and a GitBook domainChecked 2026-10-22·gitbook.com/pricing
vs StarlightLimits & alternatives3 limits · Docusaurus, Fumadocs, GitBook instead
Limits, in full
- 01
You host the build
- 02
Astro-only. Not a drop-in for a Next.js app.
- 03
A docs theme, not an OpenAPI explorer. For that see Scalar or Redoc.
If Starlight isn't it
Why: MIT React/static generator when you are not on Astro.
Free· open source,MIT
You host the buildChecked 2026-10-23·github.com/facebook/docusaurus
vs StarlightWhy: Next.js docs when the app is already Next.
Free· open source,MIT
You run a Next.js appChecked 2026-10-28·Not published by the vendor
vs StarlightWhy: hosted Free $0 when you will not run a static build.
Free· paid from$65/user/mo
Free is one person and a GitBook domainChecked 2026-10-22·gitbook.com/pricing
vs Starlight