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📅 Published at: April 10, 2022

React Server Components (RSCs) are one of the most exciting developments in the React ecosystem, bringing faster performance and smaller JavaScript bundles.

But what exactly are Server Components, and why should you care?

In this guide, we’ll cover:
✅ What React Server Components (RSCs) are
✅ How they reduce JavaScript bundle sizes
✅ Performance benefits of Server Components
✅ How RSCs work with Next.js

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1️⃣ What Are React Server Components?

React traditionally runs on the client-side, meaning JavaScript is sent to the browser, and the app is rendered on the user’s device.

🔹 Server Components (RSCs), introduced by React, allow part of your React app to run on the server instead.

🛠 How RSCs Work:

✅ Some components execute on the server instead of the browser.
✅ They return serialized output (not JavaScript).
✅ No need to send extra JS to the client, reducing the bundle size.

📌 Unlike Server-Side Rendering (SSR), Server Components never send JavaScript to the browser—just raw HTML with React instructions.

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2️⃣ Why Server Components Improve Performance

🚀 RSCs offer major benefits compared to traditional React apps:

1. Reducing JavaScript Bundle Size

🔴 Client-Side React Apps:

• Loads JavaScript for every component.
• Large bundle size = slower load times.

✅ With Server Components:

• The server processes components and only sends the final HTML.
• No extra JavaScript needed on the client.
• The user downloads less code and sees content faster.

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2. Faster Initial Load Time

By removing JavaScript from the client, Server Components:
✅ Reduce Time to First Paint (TTFP)
✅ Improve Time to Interactive (TTI)
✅ Make React apps feel faster

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3. Fetching Data Directly on the Server

Traditional React apps fetch data in useEffect() and update the state on the client.

Problem:

• Extra client-side fetching = slower page load.

✅ With RSCs:

• The server fetches data before sending the component.
• No need for useEffect() to fetch data.
• Faster UI updates with less client-side work.

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3️⃣ How React Server Components Work in Next.js

Next.js fully supports React Server Components, making it easier to use them in production.

📌 Example: RSC in Next.js

In Next.js 13+, any component inside the app/ directory is a Server Component by default.

// app/page.js (Server Component)
async function ProductList() {
  const res = await fetch("https://fakestoreapi.com/products");
  const products = await res.json();

  return (
    <div>
      {products.map((product) => (
        <div key={product.id}>{product.title}</div>
      ))}
    </div>
  );
}

export default ProductList;

✅ No useEffect() or state management needed!
✅ The data is fetched on the server and sent as HTML.
✅ Faster load times and no client-side fetching required.

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4️⃣ Client vs. Server Components: Key Differences

Feature	Client Component	Server Component
Runs on	Browser (Client)	Server
JavaScript	Sent to browser	Not sent to browser
State Management	useState, useEffect	No state (server-side)
Data Fetching	useEffect (client)	Fetched before rendering
Performance	JS-heavy, slower loads	Lighter, faster loads

✅ Best Practice:
Use Server Components for rendering & data fetching, and Client Components for interactive elements like forms and buttons.

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5️⃣ When to Use Server Components?

Great Use Cases for RSCs:
✔️ Fetching & rendering API data (e.g., product listings, blog posts)
✔️ Static or semi-dynamic content (e.g., dashboards, articles)
✔️ Reducing JavaScript for performance-critical apps

❌ When to Use Client Components Instead?

• Handling user interactions (e.g., buttons, forms, modals)
• Using local state (useState)
• Adding event listeners (e.g., onClick, onChange)

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📌 Final Thoughts: The Future of React with Server Components

🔹 React Server Components are a game-changer—they improve performance, reduce bundle sizes, and optimize data fetching.

🔹 Next.js 13+ fully supports Server Components, making them easier to use in production apps.

🔹 The future of React is hybrid—mixing Server and Client Components for the best of both worlds.

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