Next.js Pages Router vs App Router — What’s the Difference?

Next.js has come a long way — and if you’re just getting started (or even if you've been around), you might be wondering:

Should I use the Pages Router or the App Router?

Let’s break it down 👇

📦 Pages Router (The Classic Way)

The Pages Router is the traditional file-based routing system Next.js has used since the beginning.

🛠 How it works:

• You place files inside the /pages directory.
• Each file automatically becomes a route.
• Routing is straightforward and familiar for most developers.

✅ Pros:

• Mature and stable.
• Easy to understand for newcomers.
• Huge community support.
• Works great with client-side navigation.

❌ Cons:

• Less flexible for nested layouts.
• No native support for streaming or server components.
• Complex state management between layouts.

🚀 App Router (The Modern Way)

Introduced in Next.js 13, the App Router is the new routing system based on React Server Components and layouts.

🛠 How it works:

• You create routes in the /app directory using folders and special file names (page.tsx, layout.tsx, loading.tsx, etc).
• Supports nested routing, layouts, and server components.

✅ Pros:

• Native support for React Server Components.
• Flexible nested layouts.
• Built-in loading UI (loading.tsx).
• Streaming and partial rendering.
• Better suited for large, scalable applications.

❌ Cons:

• Still maturing — not every third-party library plays well with server components yet.
• Slightly steeper learning curve.
• Requires a mental model shift from traditional routing.

🤔 Which One Should You Use?

• ✅ Use the Pages Router if:

  • You want stability and simplicity.
  • You’re building a small-to-medium app or MVP.
  • You rely heavily on libraries that aren’t ready for server components yet.

• ✅ Use the App Router if:

  • You’re starting a new project and want the latest features.
  • You need nested layouts and streaming.
  • You want to optimize performance with server-rendered components.

🧠 TL;DR

Next.js gives you the freedom to choose. You can even mix both in the same project if needed.

So — Pages Router or App Router?

That depends on your project’s needs and how ready you are to adopt the future of React.

Thanks for reading!

What other things do you consider important when choosing the right router in Next.js?👇