Next.js builds upon the foundation of React but adds several features and optimizations that make it particularly well-suited for building modern web applications.
Server-side Rendering (SSR) and Static Site Generation (SSG): Next.js applications can pre-render pages on the server, improving initial loading times and SEO. Traditional React applications typically render content on the client side, which can lead to slower initial page loads and less favorable SEO performance.
Dynamic HTML Streaming: Instead of waiting for the whole page to be ready, the server sends the HTML in chunks as soon as they are generated.
Server Components : Next.js supports Server Components (RSC). In the App Router, every component you create is a Server Component by default.
Routing: Next.js provides automatic zero setup client-side routing out of the box, making it easier to manage navigation within your application. In traditional React applications, you would often need to rely on third-party libraries or build your own routing solution.
Code Splitting: Next.js automatically performs code splitting, which means that it divides your JavaScript code into smaller chunks that are loaded only when needed. This can improve performance by reducing the initial bundle size and allowing users to download only the code required for the current page.
Built-in Optimization: Automatic image, font and script optimization. The next/image component automatically optimizes images for faster loading and better performance.
Full stack: Easily create API endpoints within your Next.js project, eliminating the need for a separate backend.
Hybrid Rendering: Choose between SSR, SSG, or client-side rendering (CSR) on a per-page basis, allowing for flexible and scalable architectures.
Vercel Integration: Seamless deployment with Vercel, the platform created by the makers of Next.js, offering features like automatic CI/CD, preview deployments, and more.