Remix vs. Next.js: Which One Should You Choose in 2022?


Published at: May 25, 2022

With the rise of modern web frameworks, Remix and Next.js are two of the most popular choices among developers for building React-based applications. While both frameworks are designed to streamline development, they take different approaches to routing, server-side rendering (SSR), and data fetching. In this post, we’ll compare Remix and Next.js to help you decide which framework is best suited for your next project.


1. Overview of Remix and Next.js

Both Remix and Next.js aim to improve the developer experience by providing performance optimization, flexible routing, and simple deployment options. However, they have some key differences:

  • Next.js: One of the most widely used React frameworks that supports static site generation (SSG), server-side rendering (SSR), API routes, and file-based routing.
  • Remix: A newer framework focused on full-stack React development with strong emphasis on progressive enhancement. Remix takes a unique approach to routing and data fetching that makes it stand out in comparison to Next.js.

2. Routing: File-Based vs. Nested Routing

Next.js

Next.js uses a file-based routing system. You create pages by adding files to the pages/ directory. Each file in this directory represents a route in the app. For dynamic routes, you can create parameterized files using file names with brackets (e.g., pages/[id].js).

  • File-based routing: Every file in the pages/ directory corresponds to a route.
  • Dynamic routing: You can create dynamic routes using file names like [slug].js.

Remix

Remix also uses a file-based routing system, but it takes it a step further with nested routing. This allows you to create more complex route structures and organize your components into smaller, more reusable pieces.

  • Nested routes: Remix allows you to build a nested routing hierarchy. Each route can define its layout and nested routes. This is great for complex UIs and performance optimization.
  • Route layouts: You can define multiple layouts for different sections of your app, making it easier to manage larger applications.

3. SSR (Server-Side Rendering): How Do They Handle SSR?

Next.js

Next.js supports server-side rendering (SSR) out-of-the-box. You can use SSR to fetch data on the server for each request and render pages on the server before sending them to the client.

  • getServerSideProps: A built-in function in Next.js that runs on the server before rendering the page, ideal for SSR.
  • Hybrid rendering: Next.js also supports static site generation (SSG) and incremental static regeneration (ISR), allowing you to mix static and dynamic rendering.

Remix

Remix focuses heavily on SSR and prefers to handle most of the rendering on the server for better performance. Remix uses React Suspense and data loading hooks to fetch data on the server during rendering.

  • SSR first approach: Remix is designed around server-side rendering, making it great for fast initial page loads and SEO optimization.
  • Loader functions: Remix uses loader functions for data fetching. These functions are executed on the server when the route is loaded, ensuring that data is available before rendering.

4. Data Fetching: How Do They Handle Data?

Next.js

Next.js offers flexibility with data fetching methods. You can use getStaticProps, getServerSideProps, or getInitialProps to fetch data for your pages.

  • getStaticProps: For static generation at build time.
  • getServerSideProps: For server-side rendering.
  • getInitialProps: A legacy method that works with both SSR and SSG, but is less commonly used now.

Remix

Remix’s approach to data fetching is quite different from Next.js. It emphasizes data fetching on the server by default and utilizes loader functions to pre-fetch data before rendering the page.

  • Loader functions: Remix defines a loader function for each route, which is responsible for fetching data on the server before rendering the page.
  • Data fetching per route: Each route in Remix has its own loader, making it easy to handle data fetching in a modular way. This helps improve performance by reducing unnecessary data fetching.

5. Performance: Which One is Faster?

Next.js

Next.js offers excellent performance with support for SSG, SSR, and ISR. The static generation features of Next.js allow for fast load times and better SEO by pre-rendering content.

  • Static Generation: Next.js can pre-render pages at build time for improved performance.
  • Incremental Static Regeneration (ISR): With ISR, you can update static content without rebuilding the entire site, offering flexibility in content updates.

Remix

Remix focuses on SSR-first rendering for maximum performance. It reduces the need for JavaScript on the client-side by only sending the necessary HTML to the browser. The nested routing and loader functions optimize data fetching and rendering by avoiding unnecessary requests.

  • SSR-first approach: Remix prioritizes SSR, ensuring pages are rendered quickly on the server.
  • Reduced JavaScript: By sending only the required JavaScript to the client, Remix reduces the JavaScript payload, leading to faster page loads.

6. When to Choose Remix Over Next.js

While Next.js is incredibly powerful and flexible, Remix shines in certain use cases:

  • SEO-heavy applications: Remix’s server-side rendering approach and modular data fetching provide faster first-load times and better SEO out of the box.
  • Complex applications with lots of nested routes: Remix’s nested routing makes it easier to build and maintain complex UI structures.
  • Optimized for progressive enhancement: Remix is built with progressive enhancement in mind, meaning that it works well with minimal JavaScript for a better user experience.
  • When SSR is the primary rendering strategy: If your app requires a lot of server-side rendering, Remix’s design philosophy is built around SSR, making it a natural fit.

7. Final Thoughts

Both Remix and Next.js are excellent choices for building modern web applications. While Next.js offers a great deal of flexibility and has a huge community, Remix is a newer framework that introduces a more optimized approach for SSR and data fetching.

If you’re building a content-heavy application or need to support complex routing and layouts, Remix may be the better choice. On the other hand, if you prefer the familiarity of file-based routing and need a versatile framework that can support both static and dynamic rendering, Next.js is the go-to.

Ultimately, the choice depends on your project’s requirements. Both frameworks are powerful, but Remix may provide better performance and a simplified development experience for apps focused on SSR and modular data fetching.


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