Introduction
Next.js is an open-source, lightweight and JavaScript framework, which allows you to develop fast and user-friendly web applications and static websites using React.
It is a ReactJS framework for building server-rendered web applications. It includes a number of features out of the box, such as Automatic code splitting, filesystem-based routing, hot code reloading and universal rendering.
By framework, we mean Next.js handles the tooling and configuration needed for React, and provides additional structure, features, and optimizations for your application.
Next.js was created by Guillermo Rauch, a software engineer at Vercel, and is maintained by a team of developers at Vercel. It is an open-source project, and you can find the source code on GitHub.
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What is Next.js used for?
Next.JS is best know for building applications such as:
- E-commerce websites
- Blogs
- Portfolio websites
- Documentation websites
- Marketing websites, etc.
Difference between Next.js and React.js
Both Next.js and React are common tools to build a web application. However, there is a clear difference between them, which highly impacts the final choice. Let’s find out what this difference is and when to choose between Next.js vs React.
You will discover several benefits and disadvantages of using Next JS and React for React/JavaScript projects if you use them for your development project. These are the crucial front-end development tools, nevertheless, which provide a smooth and enjoyable online development experience. Although both are simple to learn, they have different learning curves.
In this article, I will discuss the differences between Next.js and React.js. base on the following points:
Performance
Performance is considered the key difference between Next.js and React.js.
Next.js is a framework that provides a number of features out of the box, such as Automatic code splitting, filesystem-based routing, hot code reloading , static destinations and server-side rendering. These features make Next.js Applications really fast. they work because of numerous performance-enhancing features, such Image Optimization.
ReactJS on the other hand supports client-side rendering, which is not sufficient for a high-performance application development.
SEO
Static websites become SEO-friendly because Next.js enables you to create them more quickly and efficiently. There is a greater probability that your website will rank on the first pages of search results as a result of improved SEO while React on the other hand supporting Single page rendering has a poor search engine optimization.
Server-side rendering
Next.js offers server-side rendering (SSR), which is a different feature. When you need to give a different display to different users, it really gathers data and renders each request.
Although it can be enabled, React does not by default support server-side rendering. SSR can be integrated with your choice server and setup; it simply takes a little more work. Additionally, this may not be supported in the upcoming editions by the developers.
Developer community
In this competitive industry, you should be aware that the developer community of any framework or library you select will provide you with appropriate solutions for any problems you encounter.
There is a fantastic developer community for React that is highly active in providing solutions through blogs, tutorials, videos, and other mediums. The React documentation and active members can both be found on Stack Overflow.
When compared to other options, Next.js features more GitHub conversations and less traditional exercise. The open-source community has active and accessible developers.
Actually, React.JS has a larger developer community than Next.JS but both provide a good developer experience
Configuration
Configuration is another distinction between Rect.JS and NextJS that you cannot overlook. In terms of configuration support, React falls short. You can't modify the setups unless you unplug from the default Create React App. Therefore, you must make use of what has been pre-configured or put up in CRA's read-scripts.
On the other hand, Next.js allows for complete configuration. You can customize files like babelrc
, jest.config
, and eslintrc
using the NextJS templates.
CONCLUSION
Below is a summary sheet I have curated for you.
Next JS | React.JS |
---|---|
Server-Side rendering | Single-page rendering |
React based framework | JavaScript library |
Specifically developed to improve React.JS SEO | Poor SEO |
Provided a variety of SEO config tools | Additional software needed |
No additional software Required | Create-React-Application required |
I hope the table above will help inform your decision on which tool to use based on your use case.
However, it is also plausible to conclude that Next.js is not an all-encompassing solution based on use cases and statistics. React is still one of the most widely used development frameworks and tools, and there are specific situations in which React is essential.
Happy Hacking!
Bentil here🚀
Which of the two tools do you prefer? Let me know in the comments section below. If you found this article helpful, please share it with your friends and colleagues. You can also follow me here and on Twitter for more updates.
Top comments (18)
I developed two projects (almost big projects) and I realized that you can find many incompatible things in it, especially when you are using some libs like carousel slider, sometimes it doesn't work correctly, and also you need to know some important rules to use Next js, for example at the first load you don't access to the window because it's a server-side render and accessing to JS window object causes to undefined Object error.
actually, I saw that the Next Js is very fast but I prefer React JS (if SEO is not important)
Hi there... isn't it possible to ensure that the code only accesses the window after the render with use effect hook?
Or could you also mess around with a custom document file so that the library sees what it needs?
You can make your code isomorphic (work on client and server) by checking which environment you are running in.
for example:
Browser:
Node Environment:
This makes it easier to run your component on server or client (if you choose to add SSR with Next.js later).
Wow, didn't know this before... thanks a ton 🙏
...This just helped me to fix some hydration issues I was facing with some custom components.
Don't know if that's the best approach though, but for now Ill use it until I can properly resolve the issue
no problem!
What issue were you running into ?
Awesome @parsadoc 🙌✍
Thank you for this input
I fell in love with Next.js ever since I used it. It's just so awesome 😎
Very true😁
Create-React-Application required? that's not mandatory
Сongratulations 🥳! Your article hit the top posts for the week - dev.to/fruntend/top-10-posts-for-f...
Keep it up 👍
Thank you🎉
I'm beginner but I love work with Next JS thx for this article 🌺❤️
You are most welcome
I've been searching for this extensively 9n the web, and here you are, such a savior 🙌
Thanks a lot Bentil
I'm glad you like it 🎉🥰
Thank you for sharing this detailed information about Next.js! It seems like a powerful framework with many benefits for web development projects. I've actually integrated it with my 漫画raw website, and I must say, the results have been amazing.
Great writeup! I haven't had a chance to use Next.js yet. Looking forward to tackling a project soon where I'll get to try it out
Nice 👍🏻