DEVELOPMENT

January 26, 20257 min read

Next.js vs React: When to Use What?

If you're starting in modern web development, you've probably heard about React and Next.js. But what's the difference? Are they interchangeable?

The confusion is understandable: Next.js is built on top of React, but it adds additional features that can radically transform your development approach.

In this guide, we'll clarify the differences, compare their strengths and weaknesses, and help you choose the right tool for your project.

1. React - A Flexible UI Library

React is a JavaScript library developed by Meta (Facebook) for building user interfaces. It's a tool, not a complete framework.

React's Strengths

✓
Total Flexibility
You choose your tools: routing, state management, styling. No constraints imposed.
✓
Progressive Learning Curve
Learn core concepts (components, props, state) without cognitive overload.
✓
Massive Ecosystem
Thousands of libraries and components available for every need.
✓
Perfect for SPAs
Single Page Applications where everything happens client-side.

React's Limitations

•No built-in routing (need React Router or similar)
•Limited SEO: client-side rendering only by default
•Manual configuration for SSR, image optimization, etc.
•More decisions to make = more setup time

Example: Simple React Component

// App.jsx - Classic React application
import React, { useState } from 'react';

function Counter() {
  const [count, setCount] = useState(0);

  return (
    <div>
      <h1>Counter: {count}</h1>
      <button onClick={() => setCount(count + 1)}>
        Increment
      </button>
    </div>
  );
}

export default Counter;

Simple, clear, and entirely client-side. But no SEO, no server rendering.

2. Next.js - The All-in-One React Framework

Next.js is a React framework developed by Vercel. It takes React as a foundation and adds a complete architecture for modern applications.

What Next.js Adds to React

✓
Automatic File-Based Routing
Create a file in /pages or /app, and it's automatically a route.
✓
Server-Side Rendering (SSR) and Static Generation (SSG)
Pages pre-rendered server-side for optimal SEO and increased performance.
✓
Built-in API Routes
Create backend endpoints directly in your Next.js project.
✓
Automatic Image Optimization
<Image> component with lazy loading, WebP, resizing.
✓
Native TypeScript
TypeScript support without additional configuration.
✓
Automatic Code Splitting
Each page only loads the necessary JavaScript.
✓
Optimized Deployment
Native integration with Vercel for ultra-fast deployments.

Comparison: File Structure

React Alone

src/

components/

pages/

App.jsx

index.jsx

public/

+ React Router (manual)

+ Webpack Configuration

+ Manual SEO handling

Next.js

app/

page.js (route /)

about/

page.js (route /about)

api/

hello.js (endpoint)

public/

✓ Automatic routing

✓ Built-in SSR/SSG

✓ Native optimizations

With Next.js, the architecture is defined: fewer decisions, more productivity.

Example: Same Component with Next.js + SSR

// app/counter/page.js - Next.js with Server Component
import Counter from '@/components/Counter';

// Data fetched server-side
async function getData() {
  const res = await fetch('https://api.example.com/initial-count');
  return res.json();
}

export default async function CounterPage() {
  const initialData = await getData();

  return (
    <div>
      <h1>Next.js Counter</h1>
      <Counter initialCount={initialData.count} />
    </div>
  );
}

// Automatic SEO metadata
export const metadata = {
  title: 'My Counter',
  description: 'An SEO-optimized counter'
};

Same functionality, but with SEO, SSR, and built-in metadata. Everything is optimized by default.

3. Detailed Comparison

Here's a point-by-point comparison to help you visualize the key differences.

Criteria	React	Next.js
Type	UI Library	Full-stack Framework
SEO	Limited (CSR only)	Excellent (native SSR/SSG)
Routing	Manual (React Router)	Automatic (file-based)
SSR/SSG	Complex manual configuration	Built-in and simple
Performance	Depends on config	Optimized by default
Learning Curve	Simpler at start	More concepts to master
Use Cases	SPAs, internal dashboards	Public sites, e-commerce, blogs
Setup Time	Longer (choices to make)	Quick (established conventions)

Key Takeaway: React gives you total control, Next.js gives you productivity and automatic optimizations.

4. When to Use React Alone?

React alone is the right choice when you need maximum flexibility and SEO isn't a priority.

1. Internal Applications / Dashboards

Admin interfaces, CRMs, internal tools that don't need Google indexing.

Real-World Example: A sales tracking dashboard for your team. Authentication required, no SEO needed.

2. Mobile Apps with React Native

If you're targeting iOS/Android, React (not Next.js) shares more code with React Native.

3. Highly Interactive Applications

Online editors, design tools, web games where everything is dynamic and client-side.

Real-World Example: An online photo editor like Canva or Figma. Everything happens in the browser.

4. Learning Projects

To understand React basics without the complexity of a framework.

5. Integration into Existing Projects

Adding React to an existing Django, Rails, or Laravel app without rebuilding everything.

Typical React-Only Setup

// Installation
npx create-react-app my-app
cd my-app

// Typical structure
src/
  components/
    Header.jsx
    Sidebar.jsx
  pages/
    Dashboard.jsx
  App.jsx
  index.jsx

// + Manual addition of:
// - React Router for routing
// - Redux/Zustand for state management
// - Axios for API requests

5. When to Choose Next.js?

Next.js shines when you need performance, SEO, and productivity.

1. Public Sites / Marketing

Company websites, landing pages, portfolios where SEO is crucial for visibility.

Real-World Example: A web agency's site wanting to rank for "web agency Paris". SSG for maximum performance.

2. E-commerce

Online stores with product pages, categories, checkout. ISR perfect for prices/inventory.

Real-World Example: Headless Shopify store: ultra-fast static pages + product data refreshed every minute with ISR.

→ Discover Shopify Headless vs Liquid

3. Blogs and Content Sites

Articles, documentation, online magazines. SSG generates everything at build time for instant loading.

4. Public SaaS Applications

Online tools with a marketing part (landing page) + authenticated app. Next.js handles both.

5. Projects Needing Lightweight Backend

API Routes allow creating endpoints without a separate server.

Next.js Advantages in Code

// Installation (faster)
npx create-next-app@latest my-app
cd my-app

// Automatic structure
app/
  page.js           → Route "/"
  about/page.js     → Route "/about"
  api/contact/route.js  → API endpoint

// No config needed for:
// ✓ Routing (automatic)
// ✓ SSR/SSG (native)
// ✓ Image optimization (next/image)
// ✓ Backend API (API routes)
// ✓ TypeScript (auto-detected)

// Deploy in 1 click on Vercel

6. Do You Still Need to Choose?

Good news: React and Next.js aren't opposites. They're complementary.

Next.js IS React

Everything you learn in React is reusable in Next.js. Components, hooks, state management work exactly the same.

Next.js simply adds an architecture and optimization layer on top of React. You're still writing React.

Migration Path

You can start with React, then migrate to Next.js later if needed.

Learn React first - master components, props, state, hooks

Build a few React projects - dashboards, small apps

Move to Next.js when you need SEO or better performance

Explore SSR, SSG, ISR - advanced Next.js concepts

Quick Decision Guide

Does your site need to be found on Google?

YES → Next.js |NO → React may suffice

Do you need ultra-fast static pages?

YES → Next.js (SSG/ISR) |NO → React

Is the app behind authentication?

YES → React may suffice |NO → Next.js recommended

Want quick setup and established conventions?

YES → Next.js |NO (max flexibility) → React

Conclusion

React is a flexible, lightweight library, perfect for internal applications, dashboards, and projects requiring total control.

Next.js is a complete framework that adds routing, SSR, SSG, optimizations, and productivity. Ideal for public sites, e-commerce, blogs, and SaaS.

The simple rule: if your project needs SEO or maximum performance, choose Next.js. Otherwise, React alone may suffice.

And remember: learning React first, then moving to Next.js is a natural progression. Your React skills are fully transferable.

Ready to Start?

Begin by creating a small project with the tool that matches your current needs. The important thing is to practice and experiment.

Johan Lorck

Freelance Next.js developer specializing in creating high-performance web applications. I can help you choose the best technology for your project.

Let's discuss your project →

← Back to blog

Share:Twitter LinkedIn