Sitecore JSS SDK vs Content SDK: Which One Should You Use?

We've been working on Sitecore projects using the JSS SDK for a while. Now that the Content SDK has been released, we're wondering which one to choose going forward. Both tools support building modern, headless websites but they approach it differently. Let's break down how each works and helps to decide which one is the best fit for your project.

What Are These SDKs?

We can consider these SDKs as a toolkit that helps us as developers to build websites faster and easier.

·       JSS SDK (JavaScript Services SDK) - JSS has been around for a while. It's like a bridge that connects your website's frontend (what users see) with Sitecore's backend (where content is stored). You can use it with popular frameworks like React, Vue, or Angular.

·       Content SDK - Content SDK is the newer block. It's built specifically for Sitecore XM Cloud that is Sitecore's cloud platform. It focuses on making websites super-fast and easy to build.

How They Work

JSS SDK: The Traditional Way

  • Talks to Sitecore using special services to get content
  • Works with Sitecore's visual editor where content creators can edit pages
  • Can be used in different ways depending on your needs
  • Supports many JavaScript frameworks

Content SDK: The Modern Way

  • Built specifically for XM Cloud (Sitecore's cloud platform)
  • Focuses on creating fast, static websites
  • Uses GraphQL (a modern way to fetch data) to get content
  • Works with XM Cloud Pages instead of the old visual editor
  • Simpler to set up and use

Quick Comparison Table

Feature

JSS SDK

Content SDK

Best For

Existing Sitecore systems

New XM Cloud projects

Setup Difficulty

Complex (lots of options)

Simple (quick start)

Website Speed

Good (needs optimization)

Excellent (built-in speed)

Content Editing

Experience Editor (visual)

XM Cloud Pages (simple)

Framework Support

React, Vue, Angular, Next.js

Mainly React/Next.js

Learning Curve

Steeper

Gentler

Future Support

Maintained

Sitecore's main focus

Code Complexity

More complex

Cleaner & simpler

What's Different?

Setting Up and Building

JSS SDK:

  • Takes more time to set up
  • Has lots of options (which can be confusing)
  • You need to understand how traditional Sitecore works
  • More documentation available because it's been around longer

Content SDK:

  • Quick and easy to set up
  • Comes with helpful tools to get started fast
  • Cleaner, simpler code
  • Built for modern development practices

How Content Creators Work

JSS SDK:

  • Content creators use Sitecore's Experience Editor
  • They can see exactly how pages will look while editing
  • Works with all of Sitecore's advanced features

Content SDK:

  • Content creators use XM Cloud Pages (a newer editing tool)
  • Simpler editing experience
  • Focuses on content rather than complex layouts

Architecture Comparison

Here's how each SDK works behind the scenes:

JSS SDK Architecture

Your Website (React/Vue/Angular)

           ↕️

    Layout Service API

           ↕️

   Traditional Sitecore

    (XP/XM/XM Cloud)

           ↕️

   Experience Editor

Content SDK Architecture

Your Website (React/Next.js)

           ↕️

    GraphQL (Experience Edge)

           ↕️

      XM Cloud Only

           ↕️

    XM Cloud Pages

Key Difference: JSS works with any Sitecore version, while Content SDK only works with XM Cloud but is much faster.

Website Speed

JSS SDK:

  • Speed depends on how you build it
  • Can be fast, but requires more work to optimize
  • Flexible but needs careful planning

Content SDK:

  • Built to be fast from the start
  • Creates static websites that load super quickly
  • Uses Sitecore's global network for fast delivery worldwide

When Should You Use JSS SDK?

Choose JSS SDK if you:

  • Are working with older Sitecore systems (not XM Cloud)
  • Need the visual Experience Editor for content creators
  • Want to use frameworks other than React/Next.js
  • Have complex personalization needs (showing different content to different users)
  • Are building on existing Sitecore projects
  • Need advanced marketing features

When Should You Use Content SDK?

Choose Content SDK if you:

  • Are building new websites on XM Cloud
  • Want the fastest, easiest development experience
  • Care most about website speed and performance
  • Want cleaner, simpler code
  • Are starting fresh (not updating an existing site)
  • Want to use Sitecore's latest and greatest tools

Switching from JSS to Content SDK

Good Things About Switching:

  • Cleaner, easier-to-maintain code
  • Faster websites
  • Simpler development process
  • Future-proof (aligns with where Sitecore is heading)

Challenges:

  • You'll lose the visual Experience Editor
  • Need to rebuild some parts of your website
  • Your team might need time to learn the new way
  • Only works with XM Cloud

How to Decide

Here's a simple decision flowchart to help you choose:

Are you building on XM Cloud?

├── YES → Are you starting a new project?

│   ├── YES → Choose Content SDK

│   └── NO → Do you need Experience Editor?

│       ├── YES → Consider JSS SDK

│       └── NO → Choose Content SDK

└── NO → Are you on older Sitecore (XP/XM)?

    └── YES → Choose JSS SDK

Quick Decision Guide:

  • New XM Cloud project = Content SDK
  • Existing Sitecore system = JSS SDK
  • Speed is priority = Content SDK
  • Need visual editing = JSS SDK
  • Want future-proof solution = Content SDK

Migration Overview

If you're thinking about switching from JSS to Content SDK, here's what to expect:

Aspect

    JSS SDK → Content SDK

Code Changes

    Significant restructuring needed

Performance Gain

    Major improvement

Development Speed

    Faster after initial setup

Content Editor Impact

    Switch from Experience Editor to Pages

Platform Requirement

    Must be on XM Cloud

Timeline

    Depending on complexity

Migration Checklist:

  • Confirm you're on XM Cloud
  • Audit current components
  • Plan content editor training
  • Set up new development environment
  • Test performance improvements

The Bottom Line

Both tools are good, but they serve different needs:

  • JSS SDK lots of features and flexibility, but more complex
  • Content SDK built for speed and efficiency, but more focused

For most new projects on XM Cloud, Content SDK is probably the best fit. It's faster to develop, creates faster websites, and represents where Sitecore is investing their future.

But if you're working with existing Sitecore systems or need specific features that only JSS provides, stick with JSS SDK. The key is to pick the tool that matches your project's needs.

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