React and Next.js are two popular technologies for building modern web applications. While React is a JavaScript library for building UI components, Next.js is a framework built on top of React that offers additional features like server-side rendering and static site generation.

What is React?

React is a JavaScript library developed by Facebook for building user interfaces, especially single-page applications (SPAs). It provides a component-based architecture, making it easy to manage complex UIs.

What is Next.js?

Next.js is a React-based framework that enhances React applications by adding features like server-side rendering (SSR), static site generation (SSG), and API routes. It helps improve performance and SEO while simplifying the development process.

Key Differences

  • Rendering: React primarily supports client-side rendering (CSR), while Next.js provides options for CSR, SSR, and SSG.
  • SEO: Next.js is better for SEO due to server-side rendering, while React alone requires additional configurations.
  • Routing: React uses client-side routing with React Router, whereas Next.js has a built-in file-based routing system.
  • Performance: Next.js optimizes performance with automatic code splitting and static generation.
  • Deployment: React apps are often deployed using services like Vercel, Netlify, or Firebase, while Next.js is optimized for Vercel but supports multiple deployment methods.

When to Use React

Use React when building dynamic, client-heavy applications that do not require server-side rendering. It is ideal for dashboards, SPAs, and interactive UIs.

When to Use Next.js

Next.js is ideal for applications that need better SEO, faster performance, and a simplified full-stack development experience. It works well for blogs, e-commerce sites, and web applications requiring SSR.

Both React and Next.js are powerful tools, each with its advantages. If you need better performance, SEO, and flexibility in rendering, Next.js is a great choice. If you are building a highly interactive application with a lot of client-side logic, React alone may suffice.