React vs Next.js

React and Next.js are two popular JavaScript libraries for building user interfaces. React is a library for building user interfaces, while Next.js is a framework that provides additional features on top of React to make it easier to create server-rendered React applications.

One key difference between the two is that React is just a library, while Next.js is a full-fledged framework that includes features like automatic code splitting and automatic server-side rendering. This means that with Next.js, you can create applications that are optimised for performance out of the box, without having to configure anything.

Another key difference is that React focuses solely on the user interface, while Next.js has a built-in server-side rendering capability. This means that Next.js can pre-render pages on the server and send the fully rendered HTML to the client, which can improve the performance and speed of your application.

In terms of popularity, both React and Next.js are widely used and well-supported. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on your specific needs and preferences. If you need a lightweight solution that focuses solely on building user interfaces, React may be a good choice. If you want a framework that provides more features out of the box and makes it easier to create server-rendered applications, Next.js may be a better option.