Unveiling the Frontend Frameworks: Next.js vs. Remix.run

The lightning-fast page loads and the SEO boost from server-side rendering have come in handy for me numerous times. I can't emphasize enough how much the efficiency and speed of the page loads have elevated the overall browsing experience. It ensures that users can effortlessly access the desired content in no time.

Plus, the server-side rendering not only enhances search engine optimization but also boosts the visibility and discoverability of the website. This ultimately leads to more organic traffic and potential conversions. It's like having a trusty and reliable partner in the fiercely competitive race for performance.

With the release of Next.js 13 and now Next.js 14, we get access to the App Router, which turns Next.js into a Backend-Frontend Framework. You have all the power of Next.js but with the power of React Server Components. Making Next.js 14 a server-side first Frontend Framework! In case you'd like to ship JS into the browser, you can do so by using “use client"".

Moving between pages is incredibly easy with Next.js' robust routing system. Next.js provides a seamless experience when navigating between different pages, whether static file routes or dynamic parameters, preloaded or not. This powerful feature has been very convenient for me, solving numerous routing issues and making the development process much smoother.

Who doesn’t love quicker load times and lighter server loads? With Next.js, static generation is built-in, and it has been a lifesaver for projects with demanding load time requirements. By implementing this feature, you can ensure that the websites not only load faster but also put less strain on the servers, resulting in an improved user experience and smoother performance. It’s also important to mention that generating the HTML file with Next.js is not the default.

When you use static site generation (SSG) with Next.js, you still need Node, and Next.js will cache, generate, build, and handle all of that for you. But if you want a fully static HTML/CSS (and some JS), you can use `next export.` Of course, when you do that, you don’t have the full power of Next.js anymore—no more API routes or API pages, which is logical because you don’t have Node anymore.

Next.js provides various methods for data fetching, such as getStaticProps, getServerSideProps, and getInitialProps, which allow you to fetch data at build time, server-side, or client-side, respectively, when using the Page Router. With the release of Next.js 13, it’s even simpler with a `fetch` function, which takes care of all of that for you. These strategies effectively enhance the application’s SEO and reduce the initial load time. As a developer, having the ability to choose between these strategies feels liberating. It allows me to tailor my approach based on the specific requirements of the project at hand.

One of the main reasons why our clients find Next.js beneficial is because of the wide range of in-built optimizations it offers. This framework provides a straightforward way to optimize images, incorporate analytics, add metadata, and more. The best part is that you don't have to worry about installing additional packages or writing complex logic to handle these use cases. With Next.js, all these optimizations are seamlessly integrated. This has saved us time and effort while ensuring optimal performance.

The App Router introduced with Next.js 13 is built on the React canary channel. This implies that the framework adopts new React features, such as React Server Components. Are you worried about having experimental features in your application? Fret not! Experimental and canary are two different things. You can read more about it on the official React site.

Next.js has been around for a while now and has a large community. If you encounter an issue or need help with a specific use case, chances are someone else has already faced the same problem and found a solution. I have rarely, if ever, come across a problem I could not find a solution to.

There are also several packages available for a lot of use cases. For example, NextAuth is one such package that gets used a lot to add authentication to a web app.

The framework offers powerful middleware support, which allows developers to easily create functions to manipulate incoming requests before they reach the Next.js application. As a result, you get more flexibility and control over the entire process. What’s even more convenient is that Vercel seamlessly integrates with Next.js to make the deployment and hosting process as effortless as it can be.

When you use Vercel, you also get access to its global edge network, which ensures that your Next.js application can be served from various global points of presence, reducing the time it takes for content to reach end-users. This means high performance, low latency, and an optimized user experience. Together, Next.js middleware, Vercel, and the edge act as an efficient solution for building and deploying high-performance web applications.

For the uninitiated, the list of features might seem like a maze at first. It demanded some quality time and a fair share of patience to grasp its potential fully. Also, keeping up with the constant updates can be a real test. Sometimes, it feels like Next.js is reinventing existing concepts like the custom fetch method or the caching mechanism.

As projects scaled up, so did the complexity. Some advanced configurations required deep dives into the documentation, leaving me scratching my head more than a few times. While Next.js simplifies many aspects of development, complex configurations, such as setting up custom server APIs, can demand a thorough understanding of Next.js's internal mechanisms, which can sometimes be time-consuming.

Magic, when it is too pervasive and when the lines are blurred, it can be powerful but also frightening. Server Actions provide the best example here. In a single component file, you can:

• Fetch data server-side
• Render it
• Submit data and write the code to handle it

Is it amazing? Yes, it can also be intimidating for developers who are not initiated.

Remix.run’s approach to structuring applications around routes has simplified my development process significantly. It’s like having a clear roadmap laid out in front of me. Providing a clear and intuitive roadmap for managing routes has reduced the complexity of the development process and has led to a more efficient workflow. To be fair, the routing is as simple as with Next.js.

The level of control it offers in data loading has been a game-changer. Remix.run provides a variety of methods and hooks to handle data fetching, including the loader function in the route modules, which is used to fetch data before rendering the corresponding route. No more hair-pulling moments, trying to juggle data and keep everything in check.

This framework streamlines the entire process, allowing me to focus on the fun parts of development without getting bogged down in the nitty-gritty details. So yeah, sign me up for more of that data-fetching goodness!

It is important to note here that they did do that before Next.js 13 as well as before React Server Components. The way it’s done with Remix is plain and simple. Each route or nested route has:

• A loader to fetch data server-side
• An action to handle mutation (submit or API route)
• A component to render

Currently, the React Server Component is not being utilized, and (in my view) this approach is more precise and less prone to errors or complexities.

The seamless transition between client-side and server-side navigation is a breath of fresh air. Balancing speed and interactivity has never been easier.

One of the functionalities that really shines through is how the framework handles forms. Remix.run has gone a different route compared to how React handles forms, doing it in a more traditional way (similar to how PHP did back in the day). With React, you need to set up form states. Remix.run, however, provides you with in-built functions that can be utilized for this purpose, such as the action function.

The thing to remember with Remix Run is that you can manage the state server side.

As a relative newcomer, Remix.run is still expanding its ecosystem. This meant I had to roll up my sleeves and sometimes get creative to work around the limitations.

Having been accustomed to traditional frameworks, Remix.run's distinctive approach took some getting used to. It was like learning a new dance. A bit awkward at first. Luckily, they provide top-notch documentation, which is a big help.

There is no built-in way to generate your website in Static or HTML/CSS. Remix Run is a Backend Frontend Framework that embraces the platform. HTTP Cache (and CDN) can be used to achieve the performance of a Static Website.