Building software is really a tough task to do, but with the help of emerging technologies and expert developers, it becomes easy to accomplish. In recent times, front-end development frameworks are playing a vital role in advanced web development. With an increase in technology, the number of frameworks in the Javascript ecosystem is also increasing and making the users confused about which one is better and what to choose.
As we have already compared React vs Angular in our previous blog, now we are here with another comparison between Next.js vs React. React is the most used library or framework of Javascript and is loved by developers. It is easy to learn which makes it preferable for new developers as well. But nowadays, Next.js which is made with React library is trending in the market.
However, both frameworks are quite similar except for some newly added features in Next.js, so the question arises what makes them different from each other? In this blog, we are going to discuss the features and differences between both Next.js and React JS to help individuals and businesses find the best one for their projects. But no matter which one you select, you will need to hire a ReactJS developer for web app development.
What is React?
React is an open-source framework of Javascript which is created by Facebook. You can create interactive user interfaces and web apps with ease and efficiency with the help of React JS. It also requires less coding as compared to other javascript libraries. React acts as Lego blocks consisting of small components which when joined together create an application with an attractive UI.
React breaks complicated UI into individual components rather than working on the whole interface. This helps developers in creating UI quickly with the help of reusable components and also makes the web applications responsive and creative along with reducing load time for web pages making them speedy by its amazing techniques of manipulating DOM. Ultimately, React enhances the user as well as developers’ experience.
Top Features of ReactJS:
JavaScript Syntax Extension:
Many developers prefer to use JSX rather than JavaScript. It makes a big difference when code is written with JSX as compared to Javascript. JSX enables developers to write HTML structures in the same document that has Javascript content.
Virtual Document Object Model:
Virtual DOM is a memory-based, lightweight description of real DOM used by React. Real DOM manipulation is considerably slower than VDOM manipulation since no screen drawing occurs. Instead of updating all objects when their states change, VDOM just modifies the specific object that has changed in the real DOM. This accelerates processes, especially when compared with different front-end technologies that require modification of each and every object even if just one object in the web application changes.
Extensions:
A wide range of extensions is offered by React to the application structure. While creating web applications, it provides significant support for rendering on the server side, Flux, and Redux. Debugging:
Thanks to the larger community that supports React, testing of applications becomes quick and easy. There are extensions that make the debugging process easy and swift, one of the extensions is also provided by Facebook.
Components:
The core element of React is its components. You can divide the user interface into separate, reusable parts using components and analyze each part separately. To create a web app using all these features, components, and extensions, hire a ReactJS developer today and make your complex application-building process easier.
What is Next.js?
Next.js is a React framework that builds web applications using React library. It is actually a tool that helps react by providing tons of add-on features, structures as well as optimizations for web applications.
You can employ React to create your user interface after that incorporate Next.js functionality to obtain basic application needs like routing, data fetching, and extensions, thereby enhancing the experience of both developers and end users.
If you are thinking of creating a web application, hire a dedicated ReactJS developer who is also equipped with the knowledge of Next.js as the biggest and most well-known companies in the world, including Netflix, Uber, Starbucks, Twitch, etc, have used Next JS. It’s also one of the most widely used React frameworks, which makes it perfect for working with static web pages that are trending currently in the web development world.
Top Features of Next.js:
Page-based routing system:
Next.js makes the routing of a page simpler. It eliminates writing code for a router, all you need to do is create a page in a special folder and the routing system of Next.js will provide it with routing.
Pre-rendering:
There are two types of pre-rendering offered by Next.js one is Static Generation and the other is Server-Side Rendering. It all depends on when Next.js writes HTLM for a webpage. Static Generation is when Next JS produces HTML during the construction of the app and is used on request. While the server-side rendering is when HTML is created only when requested. Basically, it enables you to choose which type of pre-rendering you want for your web application.
Built-in CSS:
Using Next.js helps you import CSS data from a JavaScript file. Given that Next.js expands the concept of importing across JavaScript, this is reasonable.
Full-stack capabilities:
For React developers, adding backend code to the application is made simpler with NextJS. The addition of our code for data storage, accessing data, verification, etc. is quite simple.
Static exports & Dynamic components:
With Next.js you can export a complete static site from your application with the help of the next export command. It also allows you to dynamically import components & modules of React and JavaScript respectively.
Comparison between Next.js vs React:
| Topic | Next.js | React JS |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Next.js is a JavaScript framework made on top of React using React library. | React is a Javascript library that acts as a framework for creating web applications. |
| Performance | In the React vs Next.js battle of performance, Next.js wins as it is comparatively very fast because of its static pages and server-side rendering feature. It provides server rendering & code splitting automatically that ultimately enhances the performance of the app. | As React only supports client-side rendering it is lacking behind in the race due to insufficient fuel for running fast apps. |
| Documentation | This is a big difference between React and Next.js, Next.js enables you to learn better through its learn-by-doing tutorials, which provide you with detailed information about the creation of components, development, etc. | React, on the other hand, provides the same architecture along with a few basic exercises that clarify the concepts. To generate pages for a React project, you must construct a piece of code and add it to the router. |
| Experienced developers | Though Next.js is quite popular among other frameworks still it stands behind React in this. It is really hard to find potential and experienced developers for Next JS as it is comparatively new. | Here, React wins the race in the war of Next.js vs React, its popularity makes him stand at the top of all the frameworks and it is easy to hire a React developer for your web development as developers also love to work with React. |
| Community | Next JS is new to the market and has a very small community, a few tutorial videos, and some FAQs. but the team of Next JS is very available in the world of open-source. | React has a broad community of developers easily accessible and are also active in posting blogs and content related to React on the internet to aid the world. It really takes a lot of time for a library to get mature and have a place in the market. |
| Configuration | Next JS provides configuration on everything. The templates of Next JS enable users to add on and configure any files they wish to. | You can not configure it with React. There is no chance of changing any setup, you will have to use the files that are already configured. |
| Development Cost | Here is a tie between Next.js and React, both technologies are open source and cost-effective. | Both technologies are not big inventions nor their features are that unique and something which is not available anywhere else which makes them less expensive and easily available. |
Next.js vs React in 2023
In 2023 as well as thereafter, Next.js and React will prove to be the most used development frameworks for web applications. You can choose either technology with full confidence because both frameworks have extensive support networks and countless developers’ communities that are constantly adding new features to the technologies.
React is going to remain a well-known and most loved framework amongst developers for creating client-side applications, and all the other types of user interfaces. Next.js is also expected to remain a perfect choice for those who want to develop an application that is server-side rendered or statically exported and leverage the benefits of its amazing features and improvements.
Both technologies are equally prominent and effectively used by developers to create overwhelming user interfaces and outstanding web applications. You can choose anyone according to your project preference.
Conclusion
For developers, React and Next.js both provide fantastic potential consumers. You can build things however you like with React. Additionally, the community is robust. With a variety of features and conventions at your disposal, Next.js makes the development of your app simpler. It is also supported by a very dynamic open-source community.
Angular vs Vue: Guide for Choosing a Perfect Framework?
Frequently Asked Questions:
Which is better: React or Next.js?
Both are great in their own way. Which is better for you depends on your project requirement, choice, and developer’s convenience. You can choose React if you want a client-side rendering application or for a quick loading page and extra features go for Next.js.
What is the main difference between Next JS and React?
React is a JavaScript library build to create interactive UIs for web applications, mobile apps, and others. Next.js is a React framework launched on top of React to reduce the efforts required in React by adding more exclusive features to it.
What are the benefits of Next.js which React lacks?
Next.js provides ser-side rendering, improves SEO, reduces loading time for web pages, and provides configuration making the app fast and more flexible.
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