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Vinitpal Singh Arora
Vinitpal Singh Arora

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Shift from React to Next.js and Remix

#webdev #beginners #nextjs #remix

1️⃣ Introduction: The Evolution of React Apps

Following my previous blog, we saw how React dominated frontend development for years, introducing concepts like Component-based Architecture, Virtual DOM for performance optimization, and a Declarative Programming Model.

React introduced the era of Single Page Applications (SPAs), bringing both advantages and drawbacks:

Pros of React SPAs:

  • Smooth UX: Fast, app-like navigation by avoiding full page reloads.
  • Efficient Development: Component-based architecture promotes reusability and maintainability.
  • Rich Interactivity: Client-side rendering enables dynamic, responsive interfaces.

2️⃣ The Pain Points That Led to Next.js & Remix

SEO Challenges:

  • Client-Side Rendering (CSR): Difficult for search engines to index.
  • Meta Tag Management: Complex without tools like React Helmet.

Performance Issues:

  • Initial Load Time: Large JavaScript bundles delayed rendering.
  • Hydration Overhead: Resource-intensive event listener attachment.

Routing and Analytics:

  • Dynamic Routing: Confused crawlers and analytics tools.
  • URL Management: Required extra setup for crawlable URLs.

Client-side Data Fetching:

  • Loading States and Waterfall Effect: Sequential data fetching delays rendering.
  • Complexity Managing States: Increased code complexity handling various states.

Need for Better DX (Developer Experience):

  • File-Based Routing: Manual configurations became unwieldy.
  • Server-side Logic: Separate backend setups needed even for small API changes.

3️⃣ Enter Next.js: React, but Smarter

Next.js, introduced by Vercel in 2016, enhanced React by addressing limitations in SEO, performance, and developer experience.

Key Next.js Innovations:

  • Multiple Rendering Strategies:

    • Server-Side Rendering (SSR): React rendered on servers for instant content visibility and better SEO.
    • Static Site Generation (SSG): Pre-generating static HTML pages at build time for faster performance.
    • Incremental Static Regeneration (ISR): Updates static pages incrementally after deployment, balancing dynamic content with static speed.

  • Full-Stack Capabilities:

    • Built-in API routes under pages/api/, removing the need for separate backend setups.
    • Edge Functions: Run lightweight serverless functions at global edge locations for faster responses.

  • App Router (Next.js 13+):

    • Supports React Server Components, drastically reducing client-side JavaScript.
    • Enables HTML streaming and Suspense for quicker load times.
    • Server Actions: Simplify form submissions and server-side interactions directly in components.

Next.js became widely adopted by platforms like TikTok and Netflix, especially due to seamless deployment via Vercel.

4️⃣ Remix: Back to Web Fundamentals

Remix emerged in late 2021, emphasizing traditional web principles alongside React’s UI strengths.

Key Remix Innovations:

  • Nested Routing:

    • Hierarchical, independent data fetching routes, improving UI updates without full-page reloads.

  • Web Fundamentals & Progressive Enhancement:

    • Uses native browser behaviors (, standard HTTP requests), ensuring functionality even without JavaScript.
    • Leveraging native web APIs (Fetch, FormData), reducing the learning curve and improving compatibility.

  • Loaders and Actions:

    • Loaders: Server-side data fetching, eliminating client-side waterfalls and simplifying state management.
    • Actions: Direct server-side handling of form submissions, smoothly blending server and client experiences.

  • Full-Stack Simplicity:

    • Integrated routing, data fetching, mutations, and error handling in one cohesive framework.
    • Adaptable across multiple deployment platforms (Node.js, Cloudflare Workers, etc.).

I liked Remix for creating highly interactive applications prioritizing accessibility and resilience.

5️⃣ Is React "Just a Library" Now?

React began as just a UI library. Now, the ecosystem favors frameworks like Next.js and Remix.

  • React Core Team officially deprecated Create React App (CRA) in 2025.
  • Frameworks provide built-in solutions (routing, SEO, server-rendering).
  • React continues evolving, powering frameworks with advanced features.

Learning core React concepts first remains valuable, but frameworks are essential for modern development.

6️⃣ When to Choose Next.js vs. Remix

Next.js if:

  • You need flexible static and dynamic rendering (blogs, marketing sites, e-commerce).

  • You prioritize extensive community support, integrations, and scalability.

  • Your project fits nicely within the Vercel deployment ecosystem.

Remix if:

  • Your app requires rich interactivity, frequent user interactions, and real-time experiences (dashboards, social media platforms).

  • Progressive enhancement, resilience, and native browser standards matter to you.

  • You prefer server-first development and want deployment flexibility (Node.js, edge environments).

Both frameworks are capable. Choose based on project priorities.

7️⃣ Conclusion:

Should developers learn React first, or jump straight into frameworks?

My two cents. Learn core React first.

The React team deprecated CRA on February 14, 2025, pushing developers toward frameworks. Understanding fundamentals (components, props, hooks) empowers smooth transition to frameworks.

My favorite?

I personally prefer Remix 💖. Its server-first approach, intuitive nested routing, and progressive enhancement elegantly blend modern capabilities with traditional web simplicity. Remix handles both JS-enabled and no-JS scenarios beautifully, with fast loader/action patterns and built-in error handling.

P.S. Have you tried Remix? Share your experiences in the comments! 👇

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