Next.js vs React: what to choose for SEO, speed, and MVP
People rarely “choose a framework”. What you’re actually choosing is how your app is rendered and delivered:
- React is a UI library. You can build an SPA (client-rendered app) or combine it with any backend.
- Next.js is a React framework that adds SSR/SSG, routing, caching patterns, and production defaults.
If you want a decision that saves time and money, use this framework.
The decision in one table
| If your product needs… | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| SEO for content pages (marketing, blog, docs) | Next.js | SSR/SSG + good metadata control |
| Very fast landing pages / pagespeed | Next.js (SSG) | Static output, caching-friendly |
| Internal dashboard (logged-in only) | React (SPA) | SEO irrelevant; simpler stack |
| Complex client-side interactions (heavy UI) | React or Next.js | Depends on data fetching and routing needs |
| One team, MVP fast, minimal ops | Next.js | Strong defaults, fewer decisions |
| Micro-frontends / custom architecture | React (SPA) | Maximum flexibility |
When Next.js wins (most businesses)
1) You care about SEO and indexing
If the site must rank for commercial queries (services, technologies, guides), you need:
- correct titles/descriptions per page
- good previews (OpenGraph)
- fast first load and stable HTML output
Next.js gives you SSR/SSG patterns that make this easier and more predictable.
2) You want “marketing + product” in one codebase
Common setup:
- marketing pages (SSG/SSR)
- logged-in product area (client-heavy)
Next.js supports both without splitting into multiple repos.
3) You want predictable performance defaults
Caching, routing, and rendering are a big part of perceived speed. Next.js helps you avoid “we’ll optimize later” debt.
When plain React is a better choice
Pick React (SPA) if:
- SEO is irrelevant (internal tools, B2B dashboards behind login)
- you already have a backend that serves pages (or a separate CMS site)
- you want a very custom routing / build pipeline
React alone can be the simplest thing — as long as you don’t need SEO.
Cost & risk (what clients should know)
The real cost is not “React vs Next.js”. It’s:
- requirements clarity (do we need SSR/SEO?)
- content strategy (will you publish tech articles/guides?)
- long-term maintenance (how many moving parts?)
If content is part of acquisition (SEO), Next.js is usually the safer default.
FAQ
Do I need Next.js for SEO?
If you rely on Google for acquisition and publish content pages — yes, it’s usually the best path.
Is SSR always faster?
Not always. SSR improves first render and indexing, but you still need good caching and page weight control.
Can we start with React and migrate later?
Yes, but migration often costs more than starting correctly if SEO is a core channel.
If you want, we can review your constraints (SEO, performance, budget) and pick Next.js vs React pragmatically — without expensive rework. 3 answers are enough: is SEO important; will you publish content; what product parts exist (auth/payments/dashboard).