React JS vs. Next JS – Which One is a Better Option

Meta launched React back in 2013 and without a doubt, it took the web development industry. It is a highly popular framework that has made an impact in the front-end development space. Moreover, there is one react-based framework that also exists and that is NextJS. Since next js vs react are related but serve different purposes and have different distinct features. 

What is React JS?

React JS is an open-source JavaScript library developed by Facebook for building user interfaces, especially single-page applications. It focuses on creating reusable UI components and offers features like a Virtual DOM for optimized rendering, a component-based architecture, and JSX syntax for writing HTML-like code in JavaScript.

Also read: What is React Native and How It Benefits App Development

What is Next JS?

NextJS is a popular open-source react framework developed by Vercel that is used to build modern web applications. It is designed to make the process of developing react applications easier by providing built-in features like Server side rendering (SSR), Static Site Generation (SSG), automatic code splitting, and routing.

Next.js is built on React and is ideal for creating production-ready web applications that prioritize performance and SEO. It leverages React as the core library for developing user interfaces.

Difference Between React JS vs Next JS

Next JS vs React Js is one of the most debatable topics in frontend development. If you use any one of them, you’ll see the perks, benefits, and drawbacks of using them for React and JavaScript projects. 

These front-end development tools provide a seamless and engaging experience for web development. While both are user-friendly and relatively easy to learn, they each come with unique learning curves.

Also read: All you need to know about Progressive Web Application

Next JS vs. React JS: Performance

Next js performance vs react performance is a debatable topic as it is the major difference between both technologies. It is faster because of static destination and server-side rendering.

Choosing Next.js for your project offers built-in server rendering and automatic code-splitting, significantly improving development efficiency. Additionally, server-side rendering (SSR) contributes to enhanced application performance.  

In contrast, React primarily supports client-side rendering, which may not always be adequate for building high-performance applications.

Next JS vs. React JS: Server-Side Rendering (SSR)

While discussing other features, server-side rendering. SSR is only supported by Next JS. It collects the data and renders each request every time you need to deliver a different view for various users.

React does allow server-side rendering, although it can be enabled with some extra effort to integrate SSR with your preferred server.

Next JS vs. React JS: Scalability

When it comes to scalability, Next.js excels with its built-in support for server-side rendering (SSR), static site generation (SSG), and features like incremental static regeneration (ISR), making it ideal for large-scale applications with dynamic content and SEO needs. Its integrated API routes and backend functionality further enhance its scalability without requiring additional infrastructure. 

On the other hand, React is scalable as a library but relies on external tools and frameworks to build a scalable architecture. By incorporating state management libraries like Redux, routing solutions such as React Router, and server-side frameworks like Next.js, React offers flexibility, though it requires more effort and planning to achieve the same level of scalability.

React vs Next.js: Configuration

The developer community is highly important when choosing a framework or library. If you see the next js vs React JS developer community, you’ll see a higher number for React. As, it has a wider community compared to the next JS. You will find blogs, tutorials, forums, and more for React JS.

When considering Next.js, has fewer conventional exercises but more discussions and contributions on platforms like GitHub. The community of developers is highly active and engaged in the open-source ecosystem, making it easy to find support, resources, and continuous updates.

Also read: React vs Angular vs Vue | Enorness

React vs Next.js: Router

When it comes to routing, React relies on external libraries, with React Router being the most popular choice. React Router allows developers to handle navigation between different components or views within a single-page application (SPA) by mapping URLs to specific components. However, React Router only manages client-side routing, meaning that it doesn’t offer built-in support for server-side rendering (SSR) or static site generation (SSG), which can impact performance and SEO.

In contrast, Next.js provides an integrated, file-based routing system. Pages are automatically mapped to the URL based on the file structure within the page directory, eliminating the need for manual routing configuration. This built-in routing system supports both server-side and client-side rendering, making it more efficient for SEO optimization and performance. Additionally, Next.js supports dynamic routing with features like dynamic routes and API routes, further enhancing its routing capabilities for complex applications.

Is Next JS better than React JS?

Compared to react JS, next JS offers easy-to-code functionality. When it comes to writing code, next JS requires less code, whereas react JS framework requires a long line of coding.

React is a great option if you’re looking to build a large, complex web application that involves intricate routing and data-intensive components. On the other hand, Next.js is an excellent choice if you’re aiming to develop a static website or a JAMstack-based application.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can NextJS replace React?

While Next.js is built on top of React, it comes with many pre-configured features and abstractions that can make the development process easier. However, this can also lead to confusion, especially for beginners, as it may prevent you from fully understanding the core fundamentals of React

Is NextJS good for big projects?

Yes, nextJS is suitable for all projects.

Conclusion

Next.js is straightforward to learn if you already have a basic understanding of React, while React JS is easy to grasp if you’re familiar with JavaScript, HTML, and CSS.

In summary, Next.js provides a range of tools and features to streamline the development process, whereas React.js offers superior resources for front-end development of web and mobile applications.

We hope this comprehensive comparison has provided you with valuable insights into Next.js and React.js, helping you choose the best technology for your front-end development needs.

For more tips and tricks on mobile app development, web development, and more, visit the Enorness blog.