React vs Next.js: Which Should You Choose in 2025?
A practical comparison of React and Next.js. Learn when to use each framework and which is better for your project.
React vs Next.js: Making the Right Choice
React is a library. Next.js is a framework built on React. Here is when to use each one.
Choose React (Create React App or Vite) When:
- Building a single-page application (SPA)
- SEO is not a priority (dashboards, internal tools)
- You need maximum flexibility in architecture
- Your team is already comfortable with React
Choose Next.js When:
- SEO matters (marketing sites, blogs, e-commerce)
- You need fast initial page loads
- You want server-side rendering or static generation
- You need API routes without a separate backend
- You want image optimization out of the box
Performance Comparison
Initial Load: Next.js wins with server-side rendering. Pages load 40-60% faster.
SEO: Next.js pages are fully rendered for search engines. React SPAs need additional setup.
Development Speed: Next.js has more conventions, leading to faster development.
Our Recommendation
For most new projects in 2025, we recommend Next.js. The benefits of server components, built-in optimization, and excellent developer experience outweigh the learning curve.
Use plain React only for SPAs where SEO does not matter, like admin dashboards or internal tools.
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