React is a JavaScript library focused on front-end development and building user interfaces.
Next.js is a framework built on top of React. It enables developers to build production-grade applications with additional features like routing, server-side rendering (SSR), static site generation (SSG), and more.
The difference between a framework and a library lies in how they interact with your code and the scope of their responsibilities.
React.js excels when you need a lightweight solution focused on the user interface. It allows maximum flexibility and modularity.
Next.js comes into play when your project needs robust full-stack capabilities, performance optimizations, or enhanced SEO.
Next.js provides pre-built starters for use cases like e-commerce or SaaS platforms, enabling faster development for more complex projects where a foundational structure is already in place.
React.js is easier to maintain for small or simple applications because it involves fewer built-in features, reducing complexity.
Next.js delivers superior SEO capabilities out of the box through server-side rendering, static site generation, and optimized HTML delivery.
While React provides the foundation for Next.js, the latter goes beyond UI development to offer a more comprehensive solution for modern web applications.
The choice between React.js and Next.js depends on your project’s specific requirements.