Vite vs Next.js: When I Use Each and Why
Both are excellent tools, but they solve different problems. Here's my practical guide to choosing the right one for your project.
I get asked this question constantly: 'Should I use Vite or Next.js?' The answer, like most things in development, is 'it depends.' But I can give you a clear framework for deciding.
I reach for Next.js when SEO matters, when the site needs server-side logic (API routes, authentication, database queries), or when the client needs a content-heavy site with good performance out of the box. That covers about 70% of my projects.
Vite is my choice for single-page applications where SEO isn't critical — dashboards, internal tools, interactive web apps. It's also great for simpler marketing sites where you don't need server-side rendering and want minimal configuration.
The developer experience with Vite is genuinely faster for pure client-side work. Hot module replacement is near-instant, the build is lightning fast, and the configuration is minimal. For a quick prototype or a client-side app, it's hard to beat.
My practical rule: if the project needs to rank on Google or has server-side requirements, use Next.js. If it's a client-side app or a simple static site, use Vite. Don't overthink it — both are excellent tools and you can always migrate later if needed.
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