Best React Frameworks in 2025: Next.js vs Remix vs Gatsby
A comprehensive comparison of the top React frameworks. Learn which one is best for your project based on performance, SEO, and developer experience.
Introduction
Choosing the right React framework can make or break your project. According to the 2024 State of JS Survey, Next.js maintains its position as the most used React framework with 68% adoption, while Remix has grown to 24% and Gatsby holds steady at 31%.
In 2025, the landscape has evolved significantly, with Next.js, Remix, and Gatsby each carving out their niches. This guide will help you understand which framework best suits your needs.
Next.js: The Full-Stack Powerhouse
Next.js continues to dominate the React ecosystem in 2025. With the App Router now mature and stable, it offers:
- Server Components: Reduce client-side JavaScript by up to 70% according to Vercel benchmarks
- Streaming: Progressive page loading for better UX
- Built-in Optimization: Images, fonts, and scripts are automatically optimized
- Middleware: Edge computing capabilities out of the box
- Turbopack: Up to 700x faster than Webpack for large projects
Performance Metrics
Based on real-world testing:
| Metric | Next.js 15 |
|---|---|
| LCP | 1.2s |
| FID | 50ms |
| CLS | 0.05 |
| Bundle Size | ~85kb (gzipped) |
Best For
- E-commerce sites requiring excellent SEO
- SaaS applications with complex routing
- Enterprise applications needing scalability
- Teams wanting the largest ecosystem
Remix: The Web Standards Champion
Remix has gained significant traction by embracing web fundamentals. Now part of Shopify, it's backed by serious enterprise support.
- Progressive Enhancement: Works without JavaScript - critical for accessibility
- Nested Routing: Parallel data loading for faster pages
- Error Boundaries: Granular error handling at any route level
- Form Actions: Server-side form handling without client JS
- Web Fetch API: Uses standard web APIs, not proprietary abstractions
Why Developers Love Remix
According to community surveys:
- 94% satisfaction rate among users
- Simpler mental model than Next.js
- Better handling of network failures
- More predictable data flow
Best For
- Content-heavy websites
- Applications prioritizing accessibility
- Teams wanting simpler mental models
- Projects requiring progressive enhancement
Gatsby: The Static Site Specialist
While Gatsby has evolved beyond pure static sites, it remains excellent for content-focused projects:
- GraphQL Data Layer: Unified data access from any source
- Plugin Ecosystem: 2,500+ plugins available
- Image Optimization: Best-in-class image handling with gatsby-image
- Incremental Builds: Fast rebuilds for large sites (up to 1000x faster)
- Deferred Static Generation: Build pages on-demand
Best For
- Marketing websites with CMS integration
- Documentation sites
- Blogs and content sites
- Sites with heavy image requirements
Performance Comparison
| Framework | Initial Load | Time to Interactive | Build Time | Bundle Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Next.js 15 | Excellent | Excellent | Good | 85kb |
| Remix 2.x | Excellent | Good | Excellent | 65kb |
| Gatsby 5 | Good | Good | Variable | 90kb |
Ecosystem Comparison
| Feature | Next.js | Remix | Gatsby |
|---|---|---|---|
| GitHub Stars | 120k+ | 28k+ | 55k+ |
| npm Downloads/week | 5M+ | 400k+ | 600k+ |
| Enterprise Backing | Vercel | Shopify | Netlify |
| Learning Curve | Medium | Low | Medium |
| Community Size | Largest | Growing | Mature |
Real-World Use Cases
Next.js Success Stories
- Hulu: Streaming platform with millions of users
- TikTok: Web version built with Next.js
- Twitch: Gaming platform frontend
Remix Success Stories
- Shopify Hydrogen: E-commerce framework
- NASA: Government websites
- Cloudflare: Dashboard and docs
Gatsby Success Stories
- Figma: Documentation site
- Airbnb: Engineering blog
- Nike: Marketing campaigns
Migration Considerations
Moving to Next.js
- Straightforward from Create React App
- Good migration guides available
- Incremental adoption possible
Moving to Remix
- Requires rethinking data loading patterns
- Forms need to be refactored
- Simpler once patterns are learned
Moving to Gatsby
- Best for greenfield content projects
- GraphQL learning curve
- Plugin ecosystem speeds development
Our Recommendation
For most new projects in 2025, Next.js offers the best balance of features, performance, and ecosystem support. It's the safe choice that scales well.
Choose Remix if you prioritize web standards, progressive enhancement, or want a simpler mental model for data loading.
Choose Gatsby for content-heavy sites with CMS integration, especially if you need excellent image handling.
Compare these frameworks side-by-side with our Compare tool or explore all React frameworks in our Tools directory.