React (Create React App) vs. Next.js: Key Differences and Statistics and Versus with Alternatives
6 min readSep 13, 2024
Resource: https://nextjs.org/docs/app/building-your-application/upgrading/from-create-react-app
1. Rendering Methods
Create React App (CRA):
- Client-Side Rendering (CSR):
- CRA primarily focuses on client-side rendering (CSR), meaning the entire JavaScript bundle is sent to the browser, and the rendering happens there. This can lead to slower initial page load times, especially as the app grows in complexity.
- Initial Page Load:
- The browser must download and run the entire app bundle before any content can be rendered, which can slow down the user experience.
Next.js:
- Server-Side Rendering (SSR):
- Next.js enables server-side rendering, which means that the initial HTML is generated on the server and sent to the browser. This approach results in faster initial load times, improved SEO, and a more dynamic user experiencxe.
- Static Site Generation (SSG):
- Next.js can pre-render pages at build time, allowing for static content to be served very quickly from a CDN.
- Incremental Static Regeneration (ISR):
- Pages can be statically regenerated after a certain period without needing a full rebuild, making Next.js more efficient for high-traffic applications.
- Hybrid Approach:
- Next.js allows developers to choose between CSR, SSR, SSG, and ISR on a per-page basis, giving maximum flexibility.
2. Routing
Create React App:
- React Router: CRA relies on libraries like React Router to manage routing, which operates purely on the client-side. Since all the routing happens in the browser, it’s harder to optimize for SEO and loading performance.
Next.js:
- File-based Routing:
- Next.js uses a file-system-based routing system. Each file in the
pagesdirectory automatically becomes a route. This approach is simpler and more intuitive compared to configuring React Router manually. - Built-in Dynamic Routes:
- Next.js supports dynamic route parameters (e.g.,
/posts/[id].js), allowing for easier development of dynamic web pages.
3. Performance
Create React App:
- Initial Load Time:
- CRA has slower initial load times, as it uses CSR. Large JavaScript bundles need to be downloaded and parsed before the page can be displayed.
- Manual Code-Splitting:
- Developers need to manually implement code-splitting in CRA (e.g., using
React.lazyandSuspense), which may lead to issues like network waterfalls if not done properly.
Next.js:
- Automatic Code-Splitting:
- Next.js automatically splits JavaScript bundles, serving only the code necessary for the current page. This reduces the initial load time and improves performance significantly.
- Built-in Optimizations:
- Next.js optimizes performance with features like image optimization, font optimization, and script loading via the
<Script>component. - Streaming with React Suspense:
- Next.js supports React Suspense for streaming data and UI components, leading to faster load times and smoother transitions between pages.
4. SEO & Metadata
Create React App:
- Limited SEO:
- Since CRA uses CSR, SEO optimization can be challenging. Search engine crawlers struggle with client-rendered content because they do not wait for JavaScript to load.
- Manual Head Management:
- You must manually manage metadata (e.g.,
<title>,<meta>tags) using external libraries likereact-helmet.
Next.js:
- Better SEO:
- Next.js improves SEO by rendering content on the server (SSR) or at build time (SSG), so search engines can easily crawl and index pages.
- Automatic Metadata Management:
- Next.js uses the Metadata API to automatically handle
<head>tags and SEO-related metadata.
5. Data Fetching
Create React App:
- Client-Side Data Fetching: CRA fetches data on the client side using
useEffect, which can lead to network waterfalls and slow rendering times.
Next.js:
- Server-Side Data Fetching:
- Next.js supports server-side data fetching through functions like
getServerSideProps,getStaticProps, andgetInitialProps. This allows you to pre-render pages with the data already loaded, improving performance and SEO. - Incremental Data Fetching:
- Next.js allows incremental data fetching with ISR, which means you can update static pages without a full rebuild, making it ideal for content-heavy applications like blogs or e-commerce sites.
6. Development Experience
Create React App:
- Single Focus on CSR:
- CRA is a good starting point for developers who want to build client-side applications quickly, but it has fewer out-of-the-box features for full-stack development.
- Customization:
- CRA offers less built-in flexibility compared to Next.js. You need to use external tools for things like server-side rendering, code-splitting, and image optimization.
Next.js:
- Full-Stack Framework:
- Next.js is a full-stack framework with built-in features like routing, server-side rendering, API routes, and static site generation.
- Middleware:
- Next.js provides middleware that allows you to run code before a request is completed. This is useful for tasks like authentication and internationalization.
7. Image Handling
Create React App:
- Basic Image Handling: CRA requires you to manage image optimization yourself. It loads images as static assets, and there’s no automatic optimization.
Next.js:
- Automatic Image Optimization: Next.js offers an
<Image>component with automatic image optimization, including lazy loading, compression, and resizing for better performance.
8. Deployment & Hosting
Create React App:
- Client-Side Hosting: CRA apps can be hosted on services like Netlify, Vercel, and Firebase, but they are primarily client-side applications, so server optimizations like SSR are not available.
Next.js:
- Server-Side Hosting: Next.js apps can be hosted on platforms like Vercel (Next.js’ creator), where you can leverage server-side rendering, static site generation, and other built-in optimizations. Additionally, Next.js supports serverless deployments.
9. Community & Ecosystem
Create React App:
- Popular but Basic: CRA has a large community, and it’s commonly used for small to medium-sized projects. However, it lacks many advanced features that developers need for production-grade applications.
Next.js:
- Growing and Advanced: Next.js is quickly becoming the go-to choice for React-based applications due to its advanced features and flexibility. It has a rich ecosystem with plugins and a strong focus on improving developer experience.
Summary of Key Metrics
Feature Create React App (CRA) Next.js Rendering Type Client-Side CSR, SSR, SSG, ISR Routing React Router (Client) File-based (Hybrid) SEO Optimization Limited Excellent (SSR/SSG) Performance Slower Initial Load Faster with Automatic Splitting Data Fetching Client-Side Only SSR, SSG, ISR Code-Splitting Manual Automatic Image Optimization Manual Automatic Deployment Client-Side Only Server-Side & Client-Side
Where Each Shines:
Create React App:
- Great for small projects or when you want to build a straightforward client-side React app quickly.
Next.js:
- Ideal for production-grade applications that need performance optimization, SEO, and a full-stack framework.
Create React App (CRA) Deprecation and Alternatives
Create React App (CRA) was a popular choice for quickly setting up React projects with a focus on client-side rendering (CSR). However, it has largely been replaced by newer frameworks and tools that offer more advanced features and optimizations.
Current Alternatives:
Next.js:
- Pros: Offers server-side rendering (SSR), static site generation (SSG), incremental static regeneration (ISR), and client-side rendering (CSR). It’s a full-stack framework with a rich feature set and strong performance optimizations.
- Cons: Can be more complex to configure and may have a steeper learning curve for beginners.
Vite:
- Pros: Focuses on fast development builds with instant hot module replacement (HMR). It supports various rendering methods through plugins and is more performant during development.
- Cons: Does not include server-side rendering by default but can be configured with plugins or combined with frameworks like SvelteKit.
Remix:
- Pros: Emphasizes performance and SEO with a strong focus on full-stack development. Supports server-side rendering and client-side rendering.
- Cons: Newer and less mature compared to Next.js, with a smaller ecosystem.
Gatsby:
- Pros: Specialized in static site generation with a strong plugin ecosystem. Excellent for content-heavy sites that benefit from static optimizations.
- Cons: Less suited for highly dynamic applications compared to SSR-focused frameworks like Next.js.
Updated Comparison with Alternatives
Feature Create React App (CRA) Next.js Vite Remix Gatsby Rendering Type Client-Side CSR, SSR, SSG, ISR CSR (with plugins) CSR, SSR SSG (with plugins) Routing React Router (Client) File-based (Hybrid) Configurable (e.g., with plugins) File-based File-based SEO Optimization Limited Excellent (SSR/SSG) Good (with plugins) Excellent (SSR) Excellent (SSG) Performance Slower Initial Load Faster with Automatic Splitting Very Fast Development Builds Good with SSR Excellent for Static Sites Data Fetching Client-Side Only SSR, SSG, ISR Configurable SSR, Client-Side Static Data Only Code-Splitting Manual Automatic Automatic Automatic Automatic Image Optimization Manual Automatic Manual (with plugins) Manual Automatic Deployment Client-Side Only Server-Side & Client-Side Client-Side & Server-Side (with plugins) Server-Side & Client-Side Static & Server-Side (with plugins)
Where Each Shines:
- Create React App: Good for quick, simple client-side applications, but less suited for modern production needs.
- Next.js: Ideal for complex, high-performance applications with requirements for SEO and diverse rendering methods.
- Vite: Best for fast development workflows and projects that can be configured to use various rendering strategies.
- Remix: Excellent for full-stack applications that need robust performance and SEO, with a focus on modern development practices.
- Gatsby: Perfect for static sites that need fast build times and strong optimization for content-heavy sites.
