Next.js vs React: Key Differences

When starting a new project, one common question is whether to use Next.js or plain React. Let's break down the key differences to help you decide.

What is React?

React is a JavaScript library for building user interfaces. It's component-based and allows you to create reusable UI components.

What is Next.js?

Next.js is a framework built on top of React that provides additional features like server-side rendering, static site generation, and file-based routing.

Key Differences

1. Rendering

• React: Client-side rendering by default
• Next.js: Supports server-side rendering (SSR), static site generation (SSG), and client-side rendering (CSR)

2. Routing

• React: Requires additional libraries like React Router
• Next.js: File-based routing system built-in

3. Performance

• Next.js: Better initial page load performance with SSR/SSG
• React: May have slower initial load but can be optimized

4. Use Cases

• Use React when:

  • Building a single-page application (SPA)
  • You need maximum flexibility
  • You want to handle routing yourself

• Use Next.js when:

  • SEO is important
  • You need server-side rendering
  • You want better performance out of the box
  • You're building a content-focused website

Conclusion

Choose React for maximum flexibility and Next.js for better performance and developer experience, especially for content-heavy sites.