Detailed Comparision NextJS vs Remix: Which One to Choose in 2025?

What’s common in NextJS vs Remix?

Both are popular frameworks built on React. When choosing the right framework for building dynamic websites, Remix and Next.js are the popular choices. They both extend React’s capabilities to build high-performance and SEO-friendly web applications. 

Both are React-based frameworks offering different approaches for web app development, meeting modern-age web development needs. Learn how NextJS vs Remix differentiates to help you decide which framework to choose in 2025.

Next.js Overview

17.9% of developers prefer it due to its flexibility, performance, and ease of use. Things to know about Next.js-

• React framework introduced by Vercel in 2016
• Streamline server-rendered, static websites, and single-page applications (SPAs) development. 
• Offers features like automatic code splitting, server-side rendering, and static site generation for next-gen dynamic web app development. 
• Powerful choice for delivering fast, SEO-friendly web experiences
• Provide built-in support for TypeScript, CSS-in-JS, API routes
• Can be integrated with the Vercel platform for deployment and hosting

Key Features of Next.js

• It has a file-based routing system that automatically maps pages within a designated directory to URLs, simplifying navigation within the application.
• With Next.js API routes, developers can integrate backend functionality by building API endpoints as serverless functions directly within your project, without needing a separate server.
• It has a built-in image optimization feature that improves website performance. It resizes and optimizes the image in the perfect size as per the user’s device, improving loading time and user experience.
• It has built-in support for CSS Modules for versatile styling options.

Advantages of Next.js

• Better performance- Next.js improves the app’s load time, enhancing the user experience and conversion rates.
• SEO Benefits- Next.js pre-renders the content on the server using SSR or SSG, making SEO-optimized applications, It makes it easier for search engines to crawl and index pages more effectively, improving visibility on search engines. 
• Reduced Infrastructure Costs- Next.js allows businesses to pre-built apps and serve from a CDN, reducing server load and hosting costs.
• Scalability: Next.js apps scale easily since static files can be served globally via a CDN. Businesses don’t need to worry about server capacity when traffic increases, especially with platforms like Vercel that automatically scale the app.
• Faster time-to-market- Next.js does not require custom configurations and backend infrastructure that speeds up the development process, which is critical for businesses aiming to launch quickly.
• Hybrid Architecture: Next.js offers the flexibility to use SSR, SSG, or a mix of both. Businesses can choose the rendering strategy that fits their project’s needs. 
• Data-Driven Decisions: Next.js integrates seamlessly with Vercel Analytics, allowing businesses to get real-time insights into page performance, load times, and user interactions. 

Disadvantages of Next.js

• However, Next.js supports Server-Side Rendering (SSR), but it might not be as flexible as other frameworks like Remix, which is built specifically for SSR.
• Next.js has a wide array of built-in features that make the code larger compared to other frameworks. This can slow down the initial page load, especially for users with slower internet connections.
• The SSR in Next.js can require a lot of server resources, especially for pages with lots of data or high traffic. This means you might need to optimize how data is fetched or upgrade your server to keep the performance smooth.

Even with these potential challenges, Next.js is still a popular choice for many companies building their applications. Let’s look at some of those companies.

Remix Overview

1.6% developers prefer Remix. However, the number is very small compared to Next.js, it is still popular due to its modern and opinionated approach to web development. Things to know about Remix-

• It follows a “Fullstack React” approach that improves the developer’s experience through features like server-side rendering, data loading, and routing.
• Focuses on structured application architecture and data loading patterns.
• Simplify complex tasks like server-side rendering and state management.
• Follows the “Routes as Data” concept, where routes are treated as data sources, making it easier to handle data fetching and rendering.
• built-in server and client-side hydration mechanisms to ensure fast initial page loads and smooth transitions while minimizing unnecessary reloads. 

Also, read- Remix: The Next-Gen React Framework For Faster Websites

Key Features of Remix

• Runs on the Web Fetch API: Remix uses the Web Fetch API for its server, which makes it flexible. Unlike many frameworks that rely only on Node.js, Remix can run on various platforms like Vercel, Netlify, Cloudflare Workers, and Deno Deploy.
• SSR as Default: Remix focuses on Server-Side Rendering by default. This helps improve performance and boosts SEO and user experience.
• Automatic Code Splitting: Remix speeds up initial loading by only loading what’s needed for the current page, avoiding delays.
• Easy Routing Setup: Setting up routes in Remix is simple and intuitive, making the development process smoother.
• Built-in Error Handling: Remix automatically handles errors during data fetching or rendering, preventing the app from crashing unexpectedly.

Advantages of Remix

• Nested Routing and Layouts: Remix allows developers to create more organized, reusable code for complex navigation by nesting routes inside layouts, which makes the app easier to manage.
• Loaders and Actions: These tools make it easy to fetch and update data without extra complexity. Loaders bring in data before the page loads, and Actions help with things like form submissions or updates.
• Developer-Friendly: Remix’s simple setup and clear structure make it easy for developers to build apps quickly, without unnecessary configuration.
• Better Data Security: Remix ensures that sensitive data stays on the server, preventing it from being exposed in the browser, which helps protect users’ privacy and security.

Disadvantages of Remix

• Smaller Community: Since Remix has fewer users, you might find fewer tutorials, libraries, or community help compared to a more popular framework like Next.js.
• Client-Side Navigation: Remix is great for server-side rendering, but if your app needs complex client-side interactions (like dynamic content updates without reloading), Remix might not be as flexible as some other frameworks.
• Server-Side Focus: Remix is built to run most operations on the server, which can be challenging if your app needs a lot of client-side logic, such as real-time features or live updates in the browser.

Key Differences: Remix vs. Next.js

• Remix is as fast as Next.js for serving static content, ensuring a smooth user experience.
• Remix is faster than Next.js at serving dynamic content, avoiding slow loading indicators.
• Remix performs better on slow networks, loading faster on a 3G connection than Next.js.
• Remix automatically handles errors, interruptions, and race conditions, while Next.js does not.
• Next.js encourages client-side JavaScript for dynamic content, whereas Remix doesn’t rely as much on it.

Detailed Comparision- NextJS vs Remix

1. NextJS vs Remix- Layout and Routing 

When building web apps, many pages share the same structure, like sidebars or tabs. In the past, it was tricky to manage these shared layouts across different pages, but modern frameworks like Remix and Next.js 13 make it much easier.

• Remix is simpler and more intuitive. You can tell which layout belongs to which URL just by looking at the file names and structure. Here is the file structure.

app/
routes/
_base.tsx
_base._index.tsx --> /
_base.$username.tsx
_base.$username._index.tsx --> /{username}
_base.$username.replies.tsx --> /{username}/replies
_base.$username.likes.tsx --> /{username}/likes
_base.status.$id.tsx --> /status/{id}
_auth.tsx
_auth.signin.tsx --> /signin
_auth.signup.tsx --> /signup

• Next.js is more flexible and powerful but can look more complicated. It allows you to add extra features like loading states or error pages for each section of your app, which Remix doesn’t focus on as much. Here is the file structure.

app/
(base)/
[username]/
likes/
page.tsx --> /{username}/likes
replies/
page.tsx --> /{username}/replies
layout.tsx
page.tsx --> /{username}
status/[id]/
page.tsx --> /status/{id}
layout.tsx
page.tsx --> /
(auth)
signin/
page.tsx --> /signin
signup/
page.tsx --> /signup

Both frameworks are great for building modern web apps with shared layouts, but Remix is a bit simpler, while Next.js gives you more control.

2. Data Fetching: NextJS vs Remix

When building modern web apps, data fetching is crucial because apps need to load data before they can display the page correctly. In the past, React apps would load an empty page first, and then fetch the data, which made things slow. Today, frameworks like Remix and Next.js 13 help by fetching data in more efficient ways.

In Remix, data fetching is done using loaders. When a page is requested, the loader fetches the data for that page. The key benefit of Remix is that it can fetch data for multiple parts of the page at the same time (in parallel), which speeds things up. For example, if a page has a sidebar and a main content section, Remix fetches the data for both parts simultaneously, rather than one after the other. Loaders can be used not just when the page first loads, but also when navigating between pages. This makes the app feel fast because it doesn’t need to wait for data every time the user clicks around.

Next.js 13 uses a new feature called React Server Components (RSCs) for data fetching. RSCs are special components that run only on the server and fetch data directly there. They are not “hydrated” or rendered on the client side, meaning the browser doesn’t need to download extra JavaScript for them, which reduces the size of the app and improves performance.

With RSCs, data can be fetched directly inside components where it is needed. This approach is more flexible because it allows developers to fetch data exactly where it is needed in the component tree, rather than only in specific route files. However, React Server Components do have some limitations. Since they run on the server, they can’t include interactive features like buttons or forms directly. 

3. Streaming- Remix vs. Next.js

In Remix, streaming works through something called “loaders.” A loader fetches data for a specific part of the page (like tweets or user details) and you can tell Remix to defer certain data fetching. This means it doesn’t block the page from loading; it starts by showing a loading state (like a spinner) and then replaces it with actual data once it’s ready. For example, if you are loading a list of tweets, Remix can start displaying the page while it still loads the tweets in the background. The page only updates when the tweets are ready.

In Next.js 13, streaming is also integrated but is simpler to implement. You can define a loading.tsx file for each route (part of your app), which automatically shows a loading state whenever data is being fetched. This works well for different parts of the page, like headers, sidebars, or content sections. Next.js uses Suspense, a React feature, to wrap these sections and show loading indicators while data is being fetched. If part of the page (like a tweet feed) needs data, it can display a spinner until the content is ready, without blocking other interactive parts of the page (like the ability to post a new tweet).

4. Data Mutations- NextJS vs Remix

Data mutations refer to actions that change or update data on the server, like creating, updating, or deleting records. In many web applications, developers handle this by sending API requests and updating the UI. However, Remix and Next.js both have built-in features to make data mutations easier and more integrated into their frameworks.

In Remix, data mutations are handled using something called actions. Whenever a user interacts with a form (like submitting a new post or clicking a “like” button), Remix triggers the action associated with that form. The key part of Remix’s approach is that it automatically refetches the data and updates the page after an action is performed, keeping the UI in sync with the server. This is called a full-stack data flow, which means that the server handles both data fetching and mutations, and the page gets updated accordingly. Remix also encourages using HTML forms for interactions, making it simpler to handle common actions like user sign-ins or posting comments without writing much JavaScript.

Next.js introduced server actions to simplify mutations, but they are still in an experimental phase. It offers flexibility by allowing server functions to be used anywhere in the app, but lacks the automatic UI updates and revalidation that Remix provides. Server actions allow developers to define functions that run on the server and can be triggered directly from React components—without needing separate API routes.

5. Infinite Loading

Infinite Loading is a pattern where content loads as you scroll down a page, such as loading more tweets on Twitter. This requires efficient management of both server-side and client-side behavior to load and display new content without reloading the page.

In Remix, infinite loading is managed through resource routes. These are special routes that don’t directly render any UI but are used to fetch data. The first page of content (e.g., tweets) is loaded from the server, and for the following pages, Remix uses loaders and fetchers to get new data as the user scrolls. However, Remix requires you to manage the state for things like tweet likes or retweets manually, often using useReducer. This gives you flexibility but means you have to write more custom code for things like fetching data and managing state.

Next.js, on the other hand, simplifies things with server actions and server components. Here, data fetching is easier because you can handle it directly inside the component. The first set of data is streamed from the server, and subsequent pages are loaded using server actions, which are functions that run on the server and can be triggered by the client. This makes it easier to implement infinite scrolling without needing to create separate API routes or complex fetchers. In Next.js, the framework helps you manage both the data fetching and state in a more integrated way, making it faster to implement.

6. Error Handling in Remix vs. Next.js

In Remix, you can use an ErrorBoundary in each route segment. This special component helps catch errors, both on the server and in the browser. For example, if a page can’t be found (a 404 error), you can throw a Response in the loader (the function that fetches data for the page), and Remix will show the appropriate error page. Remix allows you to handle these errors in a very customizable way at each route level, so you can show different error states for different parts of your app.

In Next.js, error handling is also done with specific files in each route. If something goes wrong, you can create an error.tsx file for the route to handle errors. This file wraps the route in an ErrorBoundary to catch errors in that specific segment. For 404 errors, Next.js uses a special not-found.tsx file in each route segment. You can return a notFound() function from your server-side code to trigger this 404 page whenever the route doesn’t match or data can’t be found.

When to Use Remix?

• SEO-Friendly and Fast Websites: Remix is great for building websites and apps that need to perform well in search engines (SEO) and load quickly. Its focus on server-side rendering (SSR) and efficient delivery of content makes it perfect for apps with complex layouts and dynamic data that need to be search-engine friendly.
• Works Well in Unreliable Networks: Remix is built to handle situations where the network might be slow or unreliable. It has features like progressive enhancement and offline support, allowing users to interact with the app even when they’re not connected to the internet. This makes it a good choice for apps that need to work smoothly even in poor network conditions.
• Complex User Interactions and Data: Remix shines in apps that require complex user interactions, like managing forms or handling data updates. It has a special approach to handling forms and data mutations (like submitting and updating data on the server) that makes it easier to build these features.
• Frequent Data Updates: If your app requires frequent data updates (e.g., real-time data or constant form submissions), Remix is a strong choice. Its Action functions make it simpler to handle complex data updates and user interactions on the server, which helps keep your app running smoothly.

When to Use Next.js?

Next.js is a great choice in the following situations:

• Flexible Rendering Options: If your project needs different ways to load content, Next.js is perfect. It allows you to mix different rendering methods, like server-side rendering (SSR), static site generation (SSG), or client-side rendering, depending on what each page needs.
• Complex Features or Advanced Functionality: If you’re building something with advanced features, Next.js is a great choice. It’s popular among developers, so you’ll have lots of support, tools, and resources available to help you build your app faster and easier.
• Scalability and Content-Rich Websites: If your app needs to handle a lot of content (like blogs, news sites, or anything with a lot of pages), Next.js is built to scale well. It optimizes large websites for better performance and smooth navigation.
• Global Audience (Multi-language Support): If you need to make your website available in different languages, Next.js has built-in tools for internationalization. This makes it easier to create apps that can be localized for different regions and languages, which is great for global businesses.

Also, read- NextJS Vs React: Which Framework To Choose in 2025

Which React Framework to Choose- NextJS vs Remix?

In the end, the Next.js vs Remix comparison shows that both frameworks are powerful, but each has its own strengths. Next.js is great for developers who want a more structured setup with strong community support and a focus on static and server-side rendering. It’s perfect if you want something that just works out of the box.

On the other hand, Remix is ideal for developers who want more control over things like routing and data loading. It focuses on performance, reliability, and making sure your app works well even in tough conditions (like offline).

By understanding the differences between Next.js and Remix in terms of performance, features, and use cases, you can make a better decision for your project. Both frameworks have clear benefits, and which one you choose depends on what you need and what you’re trying to build. Choose OnGraph for next-gen web app development.