React frameworks
Why frameworks?
React is intentionally focused on one thing: building user interfaces from components. It leaves other critical parts of web development (routing, data fetching, performance, deployment) up to the developer. Frameworks step in to provide elegant, integrated solutions for these gaps.
Benefits of frameworks
Routing – A plain React app has no concept of routing. Frameworks like Next.js and Remix provide file-based routing out of the box, which is intuitive and requires zero configuration.
Data fetching – How and when do you load data from an API? With plain React, you’d use the useEffect hook, which can lead to complex state management for loading and error states. Frameworks provide dedicated, streamlined data-loading functions (like getServerSideProps in Next.js or loaders in Remix) that are tied directly to your routes.
Performance and SEO optimization – Server-Side Rendering (SSR) and Static Site Generation (SSG) provided by frameworks generate HTML on the server, which is great for SEO and perceived performance.
A “batteries-included” developer experience – Frameworks bundle sensible defaults for project structure, builds, linting, formatting, hot reloading, and production optimizations, making development faster and less error-prone.
Vite
Vite is not a React framework in the same way as Next.js or Remix. It’s a modern build tool and development server, but it’s now the standard and recommended way to start a new “vanilla” React project (a Single-Page Application). It has replaced the once-popular Create React App (CRA).
Vite can be a choice when the application is heavy on the client side. Since Vite is unopinionated regarding routing, data-fetching, and state management, some setup is required.
NextJS
NextJS, arguably the most popular React framework, provides a robust structure for building everything from static marketing sites to complex, dynamic web applications.
Features
- File-based routing.
- SSR, SSG, and Incremental Static Regeneration (ISR).
- API routes (full-stack development in JS/TS).
- Image optimization, fonts, middleware, edge functions.
Use case: Ideal for projects where SEO matters (blogs, e-commerce, marketing sites) or when you want a full-stack JS/TS solution.
Why choose Next.js? Mature ecosystem, strong community support, and first-class hosting on Vercel.
Remix
Remix is a newer, full-stack framework created by the team behind React Router. It has a strong focus on leveraging web fundamentals. It mainly focuses on a seamless data loading experience and user-centric performance by embracing web standards like HTML forms and HTTP caching.
Features:
- Data loaders & actions tied to routes. If you’re familiar with React Router, the concepts of loaders and actions will feel very natural.
- Remix is recommended when you want your application to be functional and resilient, even on slow networks or without JavaScript enabled.
- First-class error handling and nested routing.
Why choose Remix? Familiar to React Router users and ideal for progressive web apps (PWAs) or applications where resilience matters.
Choosing between them
- Vite: Best for SPA-style apps where you want flexibility and control over the stack.
- Next.js: Best all-around choice for SEO-driven sites, e-commerce, and full-stack React apps.
- Remix: Best for resilient, standards-driven apps where performance and accessibility under tough conditions are top priorities.
In short:
- Start with Vite if you need speed and flexibility.
- Choose Next.js for SEO and full-stack needs.
- Choose Remix if you want a progressive, resilient, web-standard-first app.
