Next.js
Full-stack React framework maintained by Vercel. App Router, Server Components, ISR, Image Optimization, Server Actions, Middleware. De facto standard for React apps needing SSR/SSG/serverless. Against Vite, four pairs show what Next.js builds in ([GreatFrontEnd](https://www.instagram.com/reel/Dd6Zuz0AUcE/)): folder-based routing instead of a library to configure, server-side data fetching, `next/dynamic` that can skip server rendering, and meta tags generated page by page by the Metadata API.
Strengths
- Native Server Components and Server Actions, drastically cut JS sent to client
- Automatic Image, Font, Script optimization, top Core Web Vitals without config
- App Router with nested layouts and Suspense streaming
- Massive ecosystem (Vercel, Stripe, Supabase, Clerk all documented Next.js-first)
Limitations
- Too much server complexity for a simple static MVP, Vite + React is enough
- Strong Vercel coupling for advanced features (ISR, edge middleware), leaving = rework config
- App Router introduces a learning curve: Server vs Client Components, caches, revalidate
Best for
- SEO-critical apps (e-commerce, blog, marketing site) needing SSR/SSG
- Full-stack React stacks where API routes and UI live together