FrontendDecision Guide
React vs Next.js
Next.js is a React framework with built-in routing, SSR, and optimization. Plain React offers more flexibility but requires more setup.
Quick Verdict
Choose React (plain) if...
- You're building a purely client-side SPA
- You need complete control over tooling
- You're integrating into an existing build system
- SEO is not a concern
Choose Next.js if...
- You need server-side rendering or SEO
- You want file-based routing out of the box
- You're building a marketing site with dynamic pages
- You want built-in API routes
- You prefer convention over configuration
Side-by-Side Comparison
Feature
React
Next.js
Type
Library
Framework
Routing
Bring your own
Built-in (file-based)
SSR/SSG
Manual setup
Built-in
SEO
Requires hydration tricks
Native support
API Routes
Separate backend
Built-in
Learning Curve
Lower initially
Slightly higher
Deployment
Any static host
Vercel optimized, works anywhere
Bundle Size
You control
Optimized automatically
Image Optimization
Manual
Built-in
Configuration
More setup
Sensible defaults
Decision Checklist
Ask yourself these questions to guide your decision:
1Does your app need SEO for public pages?
2Do you need server-side rendering?
3Are you comfortable with opinionated frameworks?
4Do you need API routes in the same project?
5Is this a content-heavy or marketing site?
6Do you need static site generation?
7Are you starting fresh or adding to existing code?
8What is your deployment target?
Tradeoffs & Gotchas
Next.js adds framework opinions and conventions
Plain React requires assembling your own tooling
Next.js has excellent DX but less flexibility
Plain React gives complete architectural control
Next.js optimizes many things automatically
Plain React may result in smaller bundles if careful
Next.js App Router has a learning curve
Plain React community solutions vary in quality
Our Recommendation
Pick Next.js for most new web projects
Pick React for embedded widgets or micro-frontends
Pick Next.js if SEO matters
Pick React if integrating into non-Node.js backend
Pick Next.js for full-stack web applications
Pick React for purely client-side dashboards
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Next.js for a SPA?
Yes. Next.js supports client-only rendering. You can disable SSR for specific pages or the entire app.
Is Next.js harder to deploy?
No. Next.js deploys easily to Vercel, AWS, Docker, or any Node.js host. Static exports work on any CDN.
Does Next.js lock me into Vercel?
No. Next.js is open source and runs anywhere. Vercel offers the best DX but is not required.
Should I use the App Router or Pages Router?
App Router is the future and recommended for new projects. Pages Router is stable and well-documented.
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Every project is different. Let us analyze your specific requirements and recommend the best approach.