Before starting any project, the first and foremost thing is to decide which platform to use. Many individuals find it tough to differentiate between Next.js and React.js. The other thing is to choose the best software development methodology for the project you are working on or are about to start.

This article aims to assist you in deciding which platform to employ for the next development project you start.

React and Next.js: An Overview

Before we start anything here, it is very important to have a bit of knowledge regarding the history of both Next.js and React.js. It will help in understanding their purposes in a better way.

React

It was released by Facebook in the year 2013. In almost 9 years, React has gained huge popularity as one of the most widely utilized libraries in the frontend development world.

Several React users have found this library to be one of the most comfortable and easy-to-use frontend libraries. This is because React allows its users easy extension, and also offers numerous useful tools. Some of these beneficial tools enclose routing and state management patterns alongside Redux and other libraries.

So, the kind of valuable tools and features React.js offer make it worthwhile to consider while you choose the software development methodology for your project.

Next.js

After React, the next on the list is Next.js. Similar to React.js, Next.js is also a development framework that is very easy to use. The reason for that ease is the basic design of Next.js. 

Architecture of the Next framework is similar to that of React. So, it is clear that Next.js is built on top of React. Thus, it has the same core features that React has. 

Next.js has multiple features that are commonly used by developers while working on their projects. 

Some of these features can be stated as the following:

  • It offers the developer Code splitting and Pre-rendering.
  • It provides the developer with Webpack support.
  • Feature of Routing.

From the above definitions, it is clear that React.js is a library while Next.js is a framework. So, what is the difference here? Let us have a look:

Determining the features that differ Frameworks from Libraries:

At first, you may or may not notice any clear dissimilarity between a framework and a library, but you should know that both of these serve their specific objectives and are utilized in various forms. Let us look into what makes frameworks and libraries different. 

Frameworks

Let's begin with defining the framework. It can be defined as a system of tools and software that are used to design a web application. Usually, there are many libraries in the frameworks that will help you in making a highly functional application if you use the libraries together. Apart from that, there are various other things in the frameworks, most common of them are as the following: 

  • Support programs
  • Code libraries
  • Toolsets
  • Compilers 
  • Application programming interfaces (APIs)

All these features are offered by a Framework to the developers who work together to start a project. By employing these Frameworks, a developer will be able to get started with the projects more quickly. 

This is possible because frameworks provide their users with low-level functionality. Therefore, the high-functionality of the app is the only thing left for the developer to design. Frameworks will also aid you with some base codes to start the development of the apps much more quickly and with less work.

Library

While using a library, it is you who controls the flow of the application, not the library. But that's not the case if you employ frameworks while designing an application. Here, rather than you controlling the flow of the app, it is commanded by the framework. This is the main aspect that differentiates a framework from a library.

A library is a collection of resources that can be utilized by the developers to simplify the development process of the application they are designing. 

Usually, libraries include the following resources that can be used by the developers:

  • Configuration data
  • Message templates
  • Help data
  • Documentation
  • Pre-written code
  • Classes
  • Subroutines
  • Values or type specifications

Libraries can be very helpful for you while working on complicated projects. Even if you choose multiple programs that are not related in any way to each other, a library will allow you to do those programs together.

Next.js VS React.js

So, by now, you can easily differentiate a library from a framework which brings us to the main topic. To decide the best JavaScript Framework for your project, it is necessary to explain the difference between Next.js and React.js.

1) Next.js

Now that you are somewhat aware of the term “framework”, you will understand what it means when you realize that Next.js is a framework and not a library. Next.js offers numerous features that are found in other frameworks with many more. Therefore, Next.js can be defined as a React framework that will simplify your application development process.

Over the years, Next.js has maintained a strong reputation within the application development world. 

It has been possible because of quite a few reasons. Next.js is known for reliability because it offers the following things: 

  • Next.js analytics
  • Image optimization
  • Internationalization
  • TypeScript support
  • Zero-config
  • Hybrid: SGG and SSR
  • AP routes
  • Fast refresh
  • Incremental static regeneration
  • Code-splitting and Bundling
  • File-system routing
  • Built-in CSS support.

During your overall process of app development, Next.js will provide you with everything you need giving you the best developer experience.

2) React

Unlike Next.js, React offers the developers with features of a library, not a framework. React.js provides the developers with scripts to aid them in building interfaces. Being an open-source front-end JavaScript library, React facilitates the developers with all the required tools and resources that utilize the latest web design trends to develop exquisite front-end structures.

Another advantage that React.js brings to the developers is that it allows them to design the UI components in a way that they can be reused. This eventually saves your time and effort when you reuse these components. As a developer, if you use React.js you save a significant amount of your time as compared to those who don't use React.

React.js offers its users multiple helpful resources. Some of them include the following:

  • Coding, which can be utilized to merge a calculator into it.
  • It also provides a shopping cart
  • An Emoji search option
  • A page for Product comparison

By employing React.js in the project, developers also give themselves an opportunity where they can work together and help each other by sharing their work.

Which Javascript framework should you use? 

For that, there is no proper answer as it entirely depends on the following questions:

a) What kind of project are you trying to work on? 

b) What platform do you require to finish that project? 

You should know that both Next.js and React.js are very valuable tools, but only to execute specific tasks. 

Let us try to have an understanding of what each of these tools can help you accomplish:

For those who choose Next.js:

As a developer, by selecting Next.js, you will be picking the best possible solution for your server-side rendering and generating static websites. Such kinds of tasks can be easily conducted with the tools and features offered to you by Next.js. For developers, who are employed in building web applications, the easy option for them is Next.js. 

There are three reasons for Next.Js being a preferred framework.

1) Next is an opinionated framework as it gives priority to the design paradigm “convention over configuration".

2) Next uses loosely typed languages such as Javascript, PHP, or Python that help the developers to push out a lot of code quickly. 

3) Next employs a CLI (Command Line Interface) to start a project and finish it quickly.

For those who choose React:

If you are planning to build user interfaces for single-page apps, React.js is probably the best software that you can use. React.js is often employed by developers while working with the web's view layer and mobile apps. 

It allows them to make their application look more appealing and easier to use more efficiently. Apart from this, React.js also offers the developers the possibility to build UI components in a way that the components can be used again. Therefore, it saves them a lot of time while developing apps that are single-page in nature.

Summing up the Discussion:

Considering all the features and aspects discussed in the article, it is evident that Next.js offers more features and tools eventually making the job for those who work behind the scenes more easy and subtle. As far as React.js is concerned, it offers the developers with better resources while working on the front-end aspect of their web or mobile apps.