Next.js vs React: When to Choose What

When starting a new web development project, choosing the right framework is crucial. React and Next.js are both powerful tools, but they serve different purposes. Let's explore when to use each one.

What is React?

React is a JavaScript library for building user interfaces. It was developed by Facebook and focuses on creating reusable UI components. React is perfect for:

• Single Page Applications (SPAs)
• Dynamic user interfaces
• Component-based architecture
• Client-side rendering

What is Next.js?

Next.js is a React framework that provides additional features on top of React. It's designed for production and includes:

• Server-side rendering (SSR)
• Static site generation (SSG)
• Automatic code splitting
• Built-in routing
• API routes

When to Choose React

Choose React when you need:

• A lightweight solution for simple applications
• Full control over your build process
• Client-side only rendering
• Integration with existing applications

When to Choose Next.js

Choose Next.js when you need:

• Better SEO with server-side rendering
• Faster page loads with static generation
• Built-in performance optimizations
• API routes for backend functionality
• Production-ready setup out of the box

Performance Comparison

Next.js typically provides better performance due to:

• Automatic image optimization
• Built-in caching strategies
• Code splitting by default
• Pre-rendering capabilities

Conclusion

React is excellent for learning and building simple applications, while Next.js is ideal for production applications that need SEO, performance, and scalability. If you're building a modern web application, Next.js is often the better choice.