VTEX FastStore vs Store Framework: which to use in 2025?

VTEX offers two approaches to building the store frontend: Store Framework (React blocks on VTEX IO) and FastStore (Next.js with Tailwind). Store Framework is mature and widely adopted. FastStore is VTEX's bet for the future, focused on performance. The choice depends on the operation's stage, the technical team and performance goals.

Store Framework: stability and ecosystem

Store Framework uses declarative JSON blocks to compose pages. Components like shelf, product-summary and search-result are configurable via admin and themeable with CSS Handles. The app ecosystem is vast. The downside: the JavaScript bundle tends to be heavy, and reaching Lighthouse above 70 requires constant optimization.

FastStore: native performance

FastStore is built on Next.js and delivers server-rendered pages with minimal hydration. The result is Lighthouse scores consistently above 90. The trade-off: the component ecosystem is smaller, customization requires more code and the learning curve is steeper for teams used to blocks.

When to migrate

Migrate if performance is a strategic priority, if the team has Next.js/React developers, and if the operation is willing to invest in the transition. Don't migrate if the store is stable, if the team depends on Store Framework's app ecosystem, or if the budget can't support a frontend rebuild.

Alternative: deco.cx as headless frontend

If the goal is performance without being locked into the VTEX frontend ecosystem, deco.cx is a third option. It works with any backend (VTEX, Shopify, VNDA) and delivers edge performance without depending on the VTEX runtime. The business team gains autonomy via a visual panel.