Headless Bridge vs Faust.js
Two different approaches to headless WordPress. Which one fits your project?
Quick Summary
Bottom Line: Headless Bridge is a framework-agnostic API solution. Faust.js is a complete Next.js framework tied to WP Engine's ecosystem.
What They Are
Headless Bridge
A WordPress plugin that creates a lightning-fast API for your content. It pre-compiles JSON responses when you save content, making API requests extremely fast.
Key characteristics:
- • Plugin for WordPress
- • Works with any frontend (Next.js, Astro, Vue, anything)
- • No hosting requirements
- • REST-based API
Faust.js
A Next.js framework built by WP Engine specifically for headless WordPress. It provides pre-built components, hooks, and patterns for building Next.js sites.
Key characteristics:
- • Complete Next.js framework
- • Uses WPGraphQL under the hood
- • Optimized for WP Engine hosting
- • Provides React hooks and components
Key Differences
1. Scope and Approach
Headless Bridge
Focuses on one thing—making the WordPress API incredibly fast. It's the API layer only. You choose your own frontend framework, hosting, and architecture.
Faust.js
Provides a complete solution—framework, routing, components, and patterns. It's opinionated about how you build your frontend.
2. Framework Freedom
Headless Bridge
Faust.js
If you want to use Astro, Vue, or any non-Next.js framework, Faust.js isn't an option.
3. Performance Architecture
Headless Bridge
User Request → Fetch Pre-compiled JSON (1 query) → Return
Time: ~50ms
Faust.js
User Request → GraphQL Query → Resolve Fields → Multiple DB Queries → Return
Time: ~300-500ms
Faust.js inherits WPGraphQL's performance characteristics—runtime query resolution on every request.
4. Hosting Independence
Headless Bridge
- WordPress: Any host (SiteGround, Cloudways, self-hosted, WP Engine, anything)
- Frontend: Any host (Vercel, Netlify, Cloudflare, self-hosted, anything)
Faust.js
- • Designed for WP Engine's Atlas platform
- • Can work elsewhere but loses some features
- • Tightly integrated with WP Engine ecosystem
Performance Comparison
API Response Times
Lighthouse Performance Score
The difference comes from API layer performance. Faust.js uses WPGraphQL, which adds significant overhead.
When to Choose Each
Choose Headless Bridge
- ✓Framework flexibility matters
Want to use Astro, Vue, or Svelte; may switch frameworks in the future
- ✓Maximum performance
SEO-critical projects, high-traffic sites, Core Web Vitals focus
- ✓Hosting independence
Already have preferred WordPress host, don't want WP Engine lock-in
- ✓Simpler architecture
Want standard REST patterns, don't need GraphQL complexity
Choose Faust.js
- ✓All-in on Next.js
Team knows Next.js deeply, no plans to use other frameworks
- ✓WP Engine customer
Already using WP Engine, want platform integration
- ✓Need GraphQL flexibility
Complex, dynamic queries; different data shapes per page
- ✓Want opinionated structure
Prefer framework conventions, less architectural decisions
Cost Comparison
Total Cost of Ownership (Annual)
Note: Faust.js works best with WP Engine Atlas, which starts at $20/month but scales to $200+/month for production sites.
Common Questions
"Is Faust.js free?"
The framework is free. But it's designed for WP Engine's ecosystem, and you'll likely need WP Engine hosting ($240+/year minimum) to get full benefits.
"Can I use Faust.js with other hosts?"
Technically yes. But you'll miss features like instant preview and optimized deployments that require WP Engine Atlas.
"Which is easier to learn?"
Headless Bridge if you know REST APIs and any JavaScript framework.
Faust.js if you already know Next.js deeply and want guided patterns.
"What about previews?"
Headless Bridge: Works with standard Next.js preview mode or any framework's preview system.
Faust.js: Has built-in preview integration with WordPress, especially on WP Engine.
Verdict
Choose Headless Bridge if:
- • You want framework flexibility
- • Performance is your top priority
- • You want hosting independence
- • You prefer simpler REST patterns
Choose Faust.js if:
- • You're committed to Next.js only
- • You're already a WP Engine customer
- • You want a complete, opinionated framework
- • You need GraphQL's query flexibility
The honest take: Headless Bridge is a focused tool that does one thing exceptionally well (fast API). Faust.js is a comprehensive framework that does many things well but comes with GraphQL's performance overhead and WP Engine's ecosystem preferences.
Try Headless Bridge
See the performance difference yourself.