For your upcoming development project, are you deciding between React and Next.js? You’re not alone! It can sometimes be daunting to choose the best framework because there are numerous options available.
While both Next.js and React are incredibly powerful tools, they have various use cases and advantages. React is a feature-rich JavaScript library that gives developers unparalleled flexibility and a vibrant component ecosystem when creating user interfaces, especially single-page applications.
However, Next.js is a well-liked React framework that expands on React’s capabilities by offering pre-built features, including server-side rendering, the creation of static websites, and better performance.
In this guide, we have highlighted what makes Next.js vs. React unique and explore which one might be the better fit for your development needs.
What is Next JS?
Next.js, developed by Vercel, is an open-source JavaScript framework designed to create fast, comprehensible web applications and static websites using React. Leveraging the integration with React and based on Note.js and Babel, Next.js streamlines the development of single-page applications and facilitates server-side rendering.
It is a JavaScript and a free, open-source, minimalist web development framework that offers vital features and functionalities without pointless intricacy. It lets developers work on server-side rendering. React Babel and Webpack provide an off-the-shelf solution for server-side rendering (SSR) of React components.
Other features that Next.js offers are static export, preview mode, pre-rendering, faster compilation, and automatic building size optimization. In short, it has all the features you might need to create an application. Its outstanding documentation is making it famous among developers for frontend development.
What is Next.js Used for?
Next.js is used to develop the following:
- E-commerce Websites
- Marketing Websites
- Landing Pages
What is React?
React became very successful in the JavaScript world and gained immense popularity quickly. It is believed to have become its undeniable leader. React swiftly emerged as one of the most used and eminent frontend libraries for creating large web apps.
React is an open-source, resilient, and easy-going JavaScript library that enables developers to create scalable, simple, and fast frontend user interfaces for single—or multi-page applications. It is a nurturing, functional programming paradigm and a reactive approach that allows developers to generate reusable UI components maintained by Facebook.
Furthermore, React provides various tools to encompass routing and state management patterns with Redux and other libraries. It enables developers to create user interfaces (UIs). A UI is a combination of HTML and JavaScript, holding all the clarity needed to display small components of a more extensive UI.
Keep in mind that React can sometimes slow down development productivity. For example, if you need to add new features or change the application, using Redux can make your task more difficult.
Inside Tip: You can learn about React Native vs Flutter by following this guide.
What is React Used for?
- Social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter)
- Economy Platforms (Airbnb, Lyft, Uber)
- Media Platforms (Yahoo!)
- Online Video Streaming Platforms (Netflix)
- SaaS Tools (SendGrid, Asana, In Vision App, Zipper)
Difference Between React and Next JS
While using React or Next.js for your project, you will encounter various privileges and pitfalls. Nevertheless, both are essential frontend development tools that provide a seamless web development experience. They are easy to learn but have different learning curves.
Performance
Performance is the substantial difference between React vs. Next.js comparison. Next.js applications are very swift because they use static destinations and are server-rendered. These applications are incredibly worthwhile because of various performance enrichment features, like image optimization.
So, choosing Next.js for your project will give you automatic server rendering and code splitting, improving your development performance. Moreover, SSR is fundamental for better app performance.
A few things are excluded when discussing React. Its client-side rendering needs to be more suitable for high-performance application development.
If you are still confused about whether React can work better for you, you can see the comparison of ReactJS vs. React Native as well.
Documentation
Discovering the difference between Next.js and React, the documentation section achieves the maximum consideration. If the documentation is good, you might learn the tools, which libraries to use, and more about any project development.
Documentation, articles, and tutorials for Next.js and React are available online. Next.js offers a set of experimental learning tutorials that make you understand Next.js component creation, development, integration, and guidance. On the other hand, React provides a parallel design with a few preliminary activities that explain the rudiments.
When comparing React JS vs Next.js, Create React App is well-suited for frontend development, providing the flexibility to integrate with various servers, including Node.js. You must be mindful that the CRA engine uses Webpack and Babel.
Ultimately speaking, the React App is a valuable tool designed to expedite the setup and maintenance of your work environment. You must execute one command to set up the tools to run the React project. Therefore, emphasize developing your project instead of wasting time on modification.
Server-Side Rendering
Next.js supports server-side rendering. It accumulates all the necessary data and renders each user request to provide diverse perspectives to users.
However, it does not tolerate server-side rendering by default, even though it can be enabled. It is best to put extra effort into your preferred server and setup to integrate SSR. Moreover, developers can’t support future versions of it.
Developer Community
React, or Next.js both have distinct developer communities. The React developers’ community is vigorous and offers solutions through blogs, tutorials, videos, etc. You can find active members and React docs on Stack Flow.
On the other hand, Next.js has less established exercises, and discussions are more likely on GitHub. React Next.js both provide a positive developer experience.
Configuration
Another way of comparing React vs. Next.js is by looking at their configurations. If it’s about React, it can provide better configuration support. You cannot change the setups without disconnecting from the standard Create React App. Consequently, it would be best to use what’s already configured in CRA read-script.
Alternatively, if it’s about Next.js, then everything is configurable. The Next.js templates permit you to configure files, such as baberlic, jest: config, and eslintric.
Maintenance
In this scenario, Next vs. React both have strong-willed CRAs. Both of them are immaculate and frequently release updates. You have to keep yourself updated with the new ones.
TypeScript
Next.js supports TypeScript and facilitates its configuration through touch and tsconfig.json. In contrast, React supports TypeScript using npx, create-react-app, and the typescript template for the CRA application.
Development Cost
React and Next are not very affluent developments. They are open-source, so creating an application with these technologies is not expensive.
Experienced Developers
In a comparison between React and Next.js, React emerges as the preferable choice for experienced developers due to its significant prominence and the availability of React developers for project engagement.
Next.js developers must possess proficiency in React development, while knowledge of JavaScript is essential for React developers.
It is important to note that while React depends on JavaScript and Next.js relies on React, the latter cannot operate without the former. Hence, in the React vs. Next.js comparison, the superiority of React is apparent.
Features
In web development, Next.js harnesses the power of React to facilitate the creation of single-page applications. It offers many features that empower developers to build fully functional applications efficiently.
- Server-side Rendering (SSR)
- Static Export (SSG)
- Pre-rendering
- Automatic Build Size Optimization
- Enhanced Development Compilation
When discussing React, it is remarkable that the framework is highly extensible and facilitates routing and state management patterns through libraries such as Redux. React is versatile and can tailor any project to specific requirements.
The following concise table summarizes the points discussed.
| Differences Rating | Next.JS | React |
| Speed & loading | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Performance | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Documentation | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Community | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Talent pool | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy to learn | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Development cost | 4/5 | 5/5 |
Advantages and Disadvantages of Next.JS and React
Further, let’s look at the advantages and disadvantages of Next.js and React.
Advantages of Next.js
| Swift Development | Next.js offers a wide range of built-in components, libraries, and compatibility, facilitating rapid MVP development. This expedites the acquisition of swift user reviews or feedback, allowing for efficient adjustments without unnecessary time expenditure. |
| Improved User Experience | Next.js enables you to create a front end that best suits your business goals and requirements. It provides an incredible and exclusive user experience. |
| SEO-Friendly | Since Next.js allows you to develop quicker and lighter static websites, they become SEO-friendly, giving you excellent chances to rank your website on the first pages of the search engine. |
| Rapid Rendering | When you reload the website, all modifications made are immediately visible. The component is rendered in real-time, facilitating seamless tracking of changes as they unfold. |
| Built-In CSS | You can ingress CSS styles from a JavaScript file into Next.js for earlier rendering. |
| Image Optimization | Images are optimized and delivered in the superior WebP format, ensuring efficient scaling and adaptation to smaller viewports. |
| ES Lint Support | Using Next.js, developers can effortlessly use ESLint with “scripts”: {“lint”: “next lint.” |
Disadvantages of Next.js
| Routing | A file system – Next.js is not adequate for some projects. Developers must know how to use Node.js tools to create dynamic routes. |
| Community Support | Although the Next.js developer community is smaller than that of React, it is steadily growing. While experienced Next.js developers are presently limited in number, the demand for professionals in this domain is rising. This trend creates new avenues for individuals seeking to distinguish themselves within the development sphere. |
Advantages of React
| Easy Development | Given the acquaintance of React developers with JavaScript, they can develop dynamic applications with a reduced codebase. |
| Developers Community | React has a gigantic designer community. Thus, they allow support and resources for learning rapidly. |
| React Components | React components are functioning. They permit you to load many pages recurringly while keeping their characteristics. After modifying the component code, the changes will be seen across all pages. |
| Customization | It has features that may be prolonged by using other tools like Redux. |
Disadvantages of React
| Starting point | React is a user interface development library that requires other tools to reach its full potential. |
| Old documentation | Since React has a short development lifecycle, the documentation must be updated quickly. The active community responds quickly to doubts or queries, but it also implies regular re-learning of its aspects. |
Which is Best Next, JS or React JS?
We anticipate that this comprehensive comparison can enrich your knowledge of Next.js and React. You can always use this to determine the best technology for your frontend development.
Don’t worry if you are still unsure about selecting the right option for your project. Codment is just a click away, and we provide the best development solutions.
Moreover, you can also find comparisons between React vs. Angular and Svelte vs React to learn more about our services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Next.js better than React?
React would be able to fulfill your needs thoroughly and efficiently. On the other hand, if you need to create a JAM stack application or a static site, Next.js would be a better option. So, there is no proper winner between the two. Their selection is based on the project’s requirements.
Is Next JS suitable for big applications?
Yes. It provides server-side rendering, dynamic routing, static-site generation, and other useful features. Therefore, in today’s world with rich, advanced technologies, it’s good to have an app for your business.
Are next JS developers in demand?
Yes, startups and large-scale businesses are implementing Next.js because of its extra performance, scalability, and developer-centric design. According to recent research and industry reports, the demand for Next.js developers is boosting, which shows the increasing trust in the framework’s capabilities.
Is Next JS suitable for backend development?
Next.js surpasses traditional demarcations between frontend and backend frameworks. Leveraging its React underpinning and robust backend capabilities, Next.js emerges as a versatile tool for contemporary web development. Whether focusing on creating dynamic user interfaces or establishing resilient server-side logic, Next.js offers a comprehensive solution.
Can I use React and Next together?
Whether one is an individual developer or part of a larger team, React and Next.js can be utilized to construct fully interactive, highly dynamic, and performant web applications.
