Why Move Your React.js Code to Next.js and Use Next.js with Capacitor

2025-01-29 | StealthWork Team

Web & Mobile Development

Why Move from React.js to Next.js?

If your current project is a standard React.js app, switching to Next.js offers performance benefits, improved SEO, better API handling, and a more efficient file-based routing system.

Performance Enhancements

Next.js provides automatic static optimization, server-side rendering (SSR), and incremental static regeneration (ISR), allowing pages to load faster and improving user experience.

SEO Improvements

Unlike React.js, Next.js enables pre-rendered HTML, making it easier for search engines to index pages. Additionally, metadata control with the <Head> component simplifies SEO implementation.

Simplified API Handling

With Next.js API routes, you can create backend functionality within the same project, eliminating the need for a separate backend service in many cases.

Better File-Based Routing

Next.js simplifies navigation by using a file-based routing system within the pages/ directory, reducing complexity compared to React Router.

Edge Functions & Middleware

Next.js supports middleware for handling authentication, security, and personalization, as well as edge functions for reducing latency by processing requests closer to users.

When Should You NOT Move to Next.js?

If you are building a simple single-page application (SPA) without SEO concerns or API requirements, React.js with Vite or Create React App may be sufficient.

Why Use Next.js with Capacitor Instead of React + React Native?

Capacitor enables hybrid mobile development using web technologies, making Next.js + Capacitor a better choice over React Native in some cases.

Code Reusability (Single Codebase)

With Next.js + Capacitor, you maintain a single codebase for web, iOS, and Android, unlike React Native, which requires a separate mobile development effort.

Better SEO and Web Performance

React Native apps lack SEO benefits, whereas Next.js web apps support SSR, making them easier to rank on search engines.

More Flexibility

Next.js + Capacitor allows you to deploy to both web and mobile without rewriting your application, offering greater flexibility for cross-platform development.

Easier Web Integration

Capacitor enables you to wrap your Next.js web app in a native mobile shell, preserving full web functionality while offering native-like mobile capabilities.

Access to Native Features

Capacitor provides access to native device APIs, such as the camera, GPS, file system, and push notifications, without the need for React Native.

When Should You NOT Use Next.js + Capacitor?

If your project requires a fully native experience, heavy animations, complex gestures, or compatibility with React Native libraries, React Native may be a better choice.

Conclusion

If you're building a web-first application that also needs mobile capabilities, Next.js + Capacitor is an excellent choice. However, if you require a native-first experience, React Native might be more suitable.