Next.js vs React: Which One to Choose?

React is the UI library. Next.js is a framework built on React that adds routing, server rendering options, and performance optimizations. The right choice depends on SEO needs, routing complexity, and how you’ll deploy.

Choose React when…

You’re building a small SPA, an internal tool, or you already have a backend serving pages and just need a UI layer.

Choose Next.js when…

You want SEO-friendly pages, file-based routing, image optimization, and a more complete production setup.