Next JS vs React: Which One Should You Choose?

When it comes to building web applications, React is one of the most popular frameworks out there. But with the emergence of Next JS, many developers are left wondering which one they should choose. In this article, we’ll see Next JS vs React to help you decide which one is best for your project.

Next JS vs React: Introduction

React is a JavaScript library for building user interfaces, developed by Facebook. It has gained immense popularity due to its simplicity and the ability to create complex user interfaces easily. On the other hand, Next JS is a framework built on top of React, providing additional features to make building web applications easier.

Also Read: How to add Next JS Redirect

What is React?

React is a JavaScript library that allows developers to build user interfaces by creating reusable components. React components are small pieces of code that can be combined to create a larger UI. It uses a virtual DOM (Document Object Model) which makes updating the UI faster and more efficient.

What is Next JS?

Next JS is a framework built on top of React, designed to make building web applications easier. It provides additional features like server-side rendering, automatic code splitting, and file-based routing. Next JS also supports CSS modules and built-in support for data fetching.

Also Read: How to use SCSS with Tailwind in Next JS

Next JS vs React: Comparison

Let’s compare React and Next JS in terms of their features and capabilities.

Server-Side Rendering

One of the main advantages of Next JS is its support for server-side rendering (SSR). SSR allows the initial rendering of web pages to be done on the server, which can improve performance and SEO. React, on the other hand, only supports client-side rendering (CSR), which means that the initial rendering is done on the client-side.

Code Splitting

Code splitting is the process of splitting your code into smaller chunks to improve performance. Next JS provides automatic code splitting, which means that it automatically splits your code into smaller chunks based on the page routes. React, on the other hand, doesn’t provide built-in support for code splitting, but there are third-party libraries that can be used for this purpose.

File-Based Routing

Next JS provides file-based routing, which means that the URL structure of your application is based on the file structure of your project. This makes it easy to organize your code and create nested routes. React, on the other hand, doesn’t provide built-in support for file-based routing, but there are third-party libraries like react-router-dom that can be used for this purpose.

CSS Support

Next JS supports CSS modules out of the box, which allows you to write modular CSS code. It also provides built-in support for Sass and Less. React, on the other hand, doesn’t provide built-in support for CSS modules, but there are third-party libraries that can be used for this purpose.

Data Fetching

Next JS provides built-in support for data fetching, which allows you to fetch data on the server-side before rendering the page. This can improve performance and SEO. React, on the other hand, doesn’t provide built-in support for data fetching on the server-side.

Performance

When it comes to performance, both React and Next JS are fast and efficient. However, due to its support for server-side rendering and automatic code splitting, Next JS can provide better performance than React in certain scenarios.

Also Read: How to Generate ZIP with File Links in Next JS and React JS

Learning Curve

The lightweight library React is simple to use and learn. It has a large and active community that provides plenty of resources and support for new developers. Next JS, being a framework built on top of React, has a steeper learning curve as it offers additional features and functionality. However, if you already have experience with React, you should be able to pick up Next JS relatively quickly.

Also Read: How to handle Cookie Consent in Next JS

Community Support

React has a large and active community of developers who are constantly contributing to the library and providing resources and support to other developers. As a result, there are many third-party libraries and tools available for React that can greatly simplify the development process. Next JS, being a newer framework, has a smaller but growing community. However, the community is still very active and supportive, and there are many resources available for developers who are just starting out with Next JS.

Also Read: How to Add Google Analytics in NextJS

Which One Should You Choose?

The answer to this question depends on your specific requirements and use case. If you’re building a simple client-side application, React may be the best choice for you. However, if you need server-side rendering, automatic code splitting, and file-based routing, Next JS may be the better option.

Next JS is also a good choice if you’re building a large-scale application that requires better performance and SEO. Additionally, if you’re already familiar with React, it may be easier for you to learn Next JS since it is built on top of React.

Ultimately, the choice between React and Next JS depends on your specific needs and preferences. It’s important to evaluate both options and choose the one that best suits your project.

Conclusion

In this article, we’ve compared React and Next JS and looked at their respective features and capabilities. Both frameworks have their strengths and weaknesses, and the choice between them depends on your specific requirements and use case. It’s important to carefully evaluate both options before making a decision.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)