Why Choose Web Development with Next.js?
In 2025, we have plenty of tools to choose from for React application development. Small startups and global brands like Spotify and Nike, more teams are choosing Next.js to power their web apps. But what is Next.js, and what makes it stand out?
Since it’s a JavaScript framework, Next.js supports building performant JS web apps, providing developers a familiar foundation. To show why it’s a framework worth considering for your project, I’ll discuss its core features and explore the most common use cases.
Before we do that, however, we should start with the basics.
What is Next.js and Why Is It Used?
Developed by Vercel, Next.js is built on top of React. It’s a full-stack framework, meaning it can handle both frontend and backend development tasks in a single project. It has become one of the most recommended frameworks for React-based web applications.
The 2025 Stack Overflow survey listed it as the fourth most popular among web frameworks and technologies.
Source: Stack Overflow 2025 Developer Survey
Versatile features, like server-side rendering (SSR), incremental static regeneration (ISR), and integrated API routes, offer flexibility for React developers and NextJS teams.
How Next.js Works
Next.js provides a set of features (like SSR, SSG, file-based routing, and API routes) that make it easier and faster to build modern web applications with React. You can read more about it in the official Next.js docs.
What’s New in Next.js 15
The Next.js 15 introduced a series of transformative updates that reshaped both dev experience and production performance. Across its minor releases, the framework refined React 19 support, redefined caching behavior, stabilized experimental features, and began preparing for version 16.
React 19 Integration: Started with RC support in 15.0, reaching full stable support in both App and Pages Router by 15.1. It improved hydration error handling and introduced the experimental React Compiler.
New API and Caching Semantics: Request APIs (
cookies,headers,params,searchParams) became asynchronous in 15.0, requiring codemod-assisted migration. Caching behavior changed as well.GETroute handlers and client router cache are now uncached by default, making caching an explicit choice. Theafter()API moved from experimental (15.0) to stable (15.1), allowing tasks to run after responses.Developer Experience: Error handling was improved by redesigning error UI and stack traces in 15.2, highlighting actual error sources and integrating React’s owner stacks. Improved debugging, new Auth utilities, navigation hooks, and better observability further elevated the DevEx in NextJS
Turbopack Maturity: Turbopack builds have achieved full compatibility (8,298 tests passed) and now power production sites like vercel.com.
Version 15 also includes plenty of experimental features:
Streaming Metadata (15.2): Enables faster initial UI rendering while metadata streams in.
React View Transitions API (15.2): Smooth page-to-page animations under a feature flag.
Node.js Middleware Runtime: Experimental in 15.2, stable by 15.5
Rspack Support (15.3): A Webpack-compatible alternative build system via plugin.
CacheComponents (15.4 preview of Next.js 16): A unified caching layer that brings together existing cache features,
use cache, and partial prerendering.
Next.js 15 feels like a turning point. React 19 is fully supported, caching became more predictable, and Turbopack achieved full maturiy. For us, that means less time fighting performance bottlenecks and more confidence in how apps behave at scale. Next.js is a stable tool, that still pushes innovation and creativity.
Rafal Dabrowski, Next.js Expert at Pagepro
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Features of Next.js
NextJS is currently one of the most popular frameworks for web applications. Its advanced features made it the favorite of developers and companies alike.
Hybrid Rendering
The ability to mix Server-Side Rendering and Static Site Generation, with Client-Side Rendering (CSR) within a single application is a major perk. Developers can choose whether to pre-render content at build time or handle it at runtime, optimizing performance, SEO, and user experience. For example, using SSG for blog posts, SSR for dynamic user dashboards, and CSR for interactive components.
Serverless and Edge Functions
The framework supports serverless deployment and edge functions, allowing devs to run code closer to users for faster response times, and limiting the need for complex server management.
Incremental Static Regeneration (ISR)
ISR allows static pages to be updated without a full rebuild, making it possible to serve up-to-date content while maintaining the speed of static generation.
File-Based Routing
Next.js’s file-based routing makes it easy to create routes by simply adding files to the pages directory. There’s no need to configure routing by hand, which reduces boilerplate code and improves maintenance.
API Routes
The ability to create backend API endpoints directly within a NextJS project supports full-stack development without the need for separate server infrastructure. You can build complex applications much easier, thanks to simplified data fetching, processing, and handling.
Built-In Image Optimization
The Image component automatically optimizes images, resizing them and serving modern formats, which boosts page load. This feature saves developers from handling image optimization and unifies UX across different devices.
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User Experience and Search Engine Optimization in Next.js
This framework provides features that impact both UX and SEO. Its support for SSG and SSR improves page load times, an important factor for user retention and search engine rankings.
Built-in functions like image optimization and lazy loading improve performance across devices, contributing to better UXs and reduced bounce rates.
Moreover, the pre-rendered content from SSR improves visibility on search engines, potentially attracting organic traffic. These capabilities allow developers to build responsive, efficient, and search-friendly applications.
What is Next.js Used For?
Next.js can be used to build many different types of projects, such as:
Complex Web Applications
Web Platforms
Multi-Market Solutions
Advanced eCommerce and Retail Platforms
SaaS Products
Interactive User Interfaces
Its capability to manage high-traffic websites has made Next.js a trusted choice for some of the largest companies on the market, so here are 3 examples of web applications built in Next.js:
Spotify
Source: Spotify
A top music streaming service in the world, Spotify allows fans to enjoy their favourite artists anywhere they go.
Proofed
Source: Proofed
A professional editing and proofreading service helping individuals and businesses improve their written content. Their team includes experts who can provide quick turnaround times while maintaining high-quality standards.
Claude AI
Source: Claude AI
An AI model by Anthropic, Claude generates text for tasks like answering questions and engaging in conversations. It’s one of the AI models prioritising safety and ethics.
Nike
Source: Nike
Known for its iconic products and innovative designs, Nike is a global leader in sportswear. The company designs, manufactures, and markets athletic footwear, apparel, and accessories appreciated by athletes from all walks of life and levels of skill.
Why We Chose Next.js for Our Web Page
The decision to use Next.js for our website was both strategic and practical. Search engine optimization was an important consideration since we rely on organic traffic and invest heavily in SEO. This framework provides the technical foundation to support those efforts.
Page speed is another priority. The framework’s ability to deliver fast loading times enhances the UX while reinforcing our SEO strategy. In terms of content management, using a modern decoupled architecture with Next.js offers us free reign over the frontend, letting our marketing team integrate tools like Storybook for dynamic content management.
And let’s not forget our developers. They appreciate the framework for its efficiency, scalability, and active community support.
Pros and Cons of Next.js
Next.js is a great framework for building websites and apps. While it boasts many powerful features, it does have a few disadvantages. Have a look at the Next.js pros and cons:
Advantages of Next.js for Business
Scalability and Security
Since this framework is built to handle complex, high-traffic websites and applications, it’s great for businesses that require scalable and highly customizable solutions. It also addresses key security concerns, such as authentication and data validation, ensuring user trust and data integrity.
Performance Optimization
Next.js boosts performance with features like lazy loading, image optimization, automatic code splitting, and route prefetching, ensuring faster load times and a better UX.
One of our clients, an e-learning platform, migrated from an outdated Drupal tech stack to Next.js and Sanity with our help. This transition resulted in significant performance improvements and enhanced security.
Learn Squared - Boosting the Performance of e-Learning Platform with Next.js
Faster Time to Market
The framework speeds up development with pre-built components. It’s ideal for building MVPs quickly and efficiently, reducing time and cost to market.
Improved User Experience and Increased Traffic
This React framework allows businesses to create customized, fast, and lightweight static sites that align with their design vision and goals. As these sites are SEO-friendly, they improve search rankings and drive organic traffic.
Omnichannel Presence
Next.js also ensures accessibility across all devices, resulting in an omnichannel presence. Fast load times and an enhanced UX contribute to higher conversion rates, as satisfied users are more likely to return and engage.
The universal compatibility of Next.js ensures modern web solutions function flawlessly across all devices, broadening customer reach and accessibility. We’ve seen improvements in conversion rates and performance since adopting Next.js
Jakub Dakowicz, CTO at Pagepro
Cost Efficiency
Hosting on Vercel not only helps your apps and websites keep stellar performance but also lowers costs. It’s all due to the integration between Next.js and the hosting environment.
AI Integration
Next.js allows devs to incorporate advanced AI technologies into their applications through built-in support for the Vercel AI SDK.
Unified Full-Stack Development
This technology offers comprehensive full-stack capabilities, streamlining development by building entire applications with a single, unified framework. It reduces the need for multiple tools, which improves efficiency and developer experience.
Rich Ecosystem
This framework benefits from a strong ecosystem, supported by companies like Vercel and Meta, with a large, active community. Developers can easily access resources, plugins, and a vast talent pool, making it easier to recruit and share knowledge.
Next.js on G2
What Are the Downsides of Next.js?
While very versatile and performance-friendly, building with NextJS comes with a few roadblocks. Here are some of the potential issues to consider before implementing it in your tech stack.
Development and Management
The flexibility offered by Next has its cost – continuous management. To make all desired changes properly, you will need a dedicated person, familiar with the system, to manage it. The good news is that this person doesn’t have to be a developer!
Ongoing Cost
Since Next.js does not provide many built-in front pages, you have to create one yourself. The frontend will require changes or updates from time to time, meaning you’ll have to hire a dedicated dev to get the job done.
No Built-In State Management
Like many frameworks, it does not include built-in state management. Developers can integrate popular solutions like Redux, MobX, or React’s Context API to handle state the way they want.
Get Started with NextJS Framework
Next.js is a versatile framework that balances flexibility and scalability. Its features make the framework ideal for a variety of projects, from simple static sites to complex web applications.
It simplifies development with easy setup, great performance optimizations, like React compatibility, and integrated tools, all while ensuring excellent SEO benefits.
Next.js applications and websites are a great investment into future of your project. Established companies like Spotify, Anthropic, Nike, and Proofed have leveraged NextJS’ capabilities, proving its value for developers and businesses both.
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FAQ
What is Next.js?
Next.js is a React framework that adds features like server-side rendering, static site generation, and file-based routing. It helps developers build fast, SEO-friendly, and scalable applications.
Is Next.js Better than React?
React is a library for building UI components, while Next.js is a framework built on top of it. Next.js is often better for production apps because it includes routing, rendering options, and performance optimizations out of the box.
Our article Next.js vs React talks more about choosing between the two solutions.
When Should Next.js Be Used?
Next.js is best for projects where speed, scalability, and SEO matter. It’s also worth considering for e-commerce, SaaS products, content-heavy sites, and dashboards.
Is Next.js a Coding Language?
No, Next.js is not a coding language. It’s a framework built on top of JavaScript (and optionally TypeScript). You still write code in JavaScript/TypeScript, but Next.js provides structure and performance features.
Is Next.js Frontend or Backend?
Next.js is mainly a frontend framework, but it also supports backend tasks like API routes and server-side rendering. It can function like a full-stack framework in many projects.
Does Next.js Require a Backend?
Not always. You can build static sites in Next.js without a backend, or add one if your app needs dynamic data, authentication, or database connections.
Is Next.js Worth Learning in 2025?
Yes, Next.js remains one of the most popular React frameworks, widely used by startups and enterprises. Its strong community, frequent updates, and demand in the job market make it a valuable asset in 2025.
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