Next.js vs Remix: Which Should You Choose in 2025?

The Great Framework Debate

Next.js and Remix represent two fundamentally different philosophies in React framework design. According to the State of JS 2024, Next.js maintains 68% usage among React developers, while Remix has grown to 24% with a 94% satisfaction rate - the highest among React frameworks.

Understanding these differences is crucial for making the right choice for your project.

Philosophy Comparison

Next.js: The Feature-Rich Platform

Next.js, backed by Vercel, focuses on providing a comprehensive platform with cutting-edge features:

• React Server Components for optimal performance
• Edge computing and middleware
• Extensive optimization (images, fonts, scripts)
• Deep integration with Vercel's deployment platform

Remix: The Web Standards Champion

Remix, now backed by Shopify, embraces web fundamentals:

• Progressive enhancement as a core principle
• Standard web APIs (Fetch, FormData, Response)
• Resilient applications that work without JavaScript
• Simpler mental model for data flow

Routing: App Router vs Nested Routes

Next.js App Router

Next.js 14+ uses the App Router with file-system based routing and React Server Components:

app/
  layout.tsx          # Root layout
  page.tsx            # Home page
  about/
    page.tsx          # /about
  blog/
    page.tsx          # /blog
    [slug]/
      page.tsx        # /blog/:slug
  (marketing)/        # Route group (no URL impact)
    pricing/
      page.tsx        # /pricing

Key Features:

• Layouts persist across navigations
• Loading and error states per route
• Parallel routes for complex UIs
• Intercepting routes for modals

Remix Nested Routes

Remix uses a flat file structure with dot notation for nesting:

routes/
  _index.tsx              # Home page
  about.tsx               # /about
  blog._index.tsx         # /blog
  blog.$slug.tsx          # /blog/:slug
  _marketing.tsx          # Layout route (no URL)
  _marketing.pricing.tsx  # /pricing with marketing layout

Key Features:

• Parallel data loading for nested routes
• Each route segment loads independently
• Clear parent-child relationships
• Outlet-based composition

Data Fetching Patterns

Next.js Server Components

Next.js uses async Server Components for data fetching:

// app/blog/[slug]/page.tsx
async function BlogPost({ params }: { params: { slug: string } }) {
  const post = await db.post.findUnique({
    where: { slug: params.slug }
  });
  
  return (
    <article>
      <h1>{post.title}</h1>
      <p>{post.content}</p>
    </article>
  );
}

export default BlogPost;

Characteristics:

• Data fetching happens during render
• Automatic request deduplication
• Streaming with Suspense boundaries
• Can mix Server and Client Components

Remix Loaders

Remix separates data fetching into loader functions:

// routes/blog.$slug.tsx
import { json, LoaderFunctionArgs } from "@remix-run/node";
import { useLoaderData } from "@remix-run/react";

export async function loader({ params }: LoaderFunctionArgs) {
  const post = await db.post.findUnique({
    where: { slug: params.slug }
  });
  
  if (!post) {
    throw new Response("Not Found", { status: 404 });
  }
  
  return json({ post });
}

export default function BlogPost() {
  const { post } = useLoaderData<typeof loader>();
  
  return (
    <article>
      <h1>{post.title}</h1>
      <p>{post.content}</p>
    </article>
  );
}

Characteristics:

• Clear separation of data and UI
• Parallel loading for nested routes
• Type-safe with TypeScript inference
• Automatic revalidation on mutations

Form Handling & Mutations

Next.js Server Actions

Next.js 14+ introduced Server Actions for mutations:

// app/contact/page.tsx
async function submitForm(formData: FormData) {
  'use server';
  
  const email = formData.get('email');
  await db.subscriber.create({ data: { email } });
  revalidatePath('/contact');
}

export default function ContactPage() {
  return (
    <form action={submitForm}>
      <input name="email" type="email" required />
      <button type="submit">Subscribe</button>
    </form>
  );
}

Remix Actions

Remix uses action functions that mirror loaders:

// routes/contact.tsx
import { ActionFunctionArgs, json } from "@remix-run/node";
import { Form, useActionData } from "@remix-run/react";

export async function action({ request }: ActionFunctionArgs) {
  const formData = await request.formData();
  const email = formData.get('email');
  
  await db.subscriber.create({ data: { email } });
  
  return json({ success: true });
}

export default function ContactPage() {
  const actionData = useActionData<typeof action>();
  
  return (
    <Form method="post">
      <input name="email" type="email" required />
      <button type="submit">Subscribe</button>
      {actionData?.success && <p>Subscribed!</p>}
    </Form>
  );
}

Key Difference: Remix forms work without JavaScript enabled, providing true progressive enhancement.

Performance Comparison

Based on real-world benchmarks:

Analysis:

• Next.js excels at initial page loads with Server Components
• Remix has smaller JavaScript bundles
• Remix handles slow networks better (progressive enhancement)
• Next.js has more optimization features (Image, Font)

Error Handling

Next.js Error Boundaries

// app/blog/[slug]/error.tsx
'use client';

export default function Error({
  error,
  reset,
}: {
  error: Error;
  reset: () => void;
}) {
  return (
    <div>
      <h2>Something went wrong!</h2>
      <button onClick={() => reset()}>Try again</button>
    </div>
  );
}

Remix Error Boundaries

// routes/blog.$slug.tsx
export function ErrorBoundary() {
  const error = useRouteError();
  
  if (isRouteErrorResponse(error)) {
    return <div>Post not found</div>;
  }
  
  return <div>Something went wrong</div>;
}

Remix Advantage: Error boundaries are granular to each route segment, allowing partial page failures.

Developer Experience

Next.js DX

• Turbopack: Faster development builds (up to 700x faster than Webpack)
• Extensive Documentation: Comprehensive guides and examples
• Large Ecosystem: More third-party integrations
• Vercel Integration: Seamless deployment with preview URLs

Remix DX

• Simpler Mental Model: Data flows are predictable
• Better TypeScript: End-to-end type safety with loaders/actions
• Web Standards: Skills transfer to other platforms
• Faster Iteration: Less configuration, more conventions

Deployment Options

Next.js

• Vercel (optimal): Zero-config, edge functions, analytics
• AWS Amplify: Good alternative with AWS integration
• Self-hosted: Node.js server or Docker
• Static Export: Limited features, no Server Components

Remix

• Any Node.js Host: Fly.io, Railway, Render
• Cloudflare Workers: Edge deployment
• Vercel: Supported but not optimized
• AWS Lambda: Serverless deployment
• Deno Deploy: Modern runtime support

When to Choose Next.js

Choose Next.js when:

• Building complex SaaS applications
• Need React Server Components for performance
• Want the largest ecosystem and community
• Deploying to Vercel for optimal experience
• Need advanced features (Image optimization, Font optimization)
• Team is already familiar with Next.js

Ideal Projects:

• E-commerce platforms
• SaaS dashboards
• Marketing websites with dynamic content
• Applications requiring edge middleware

When to Choose Remix

Choose Remix when:

• Progressive enhancement is important
• Building content-focused applications
• Want simpler, more predictable data flow
• Deploying to edge platforms (Cloudflare Workers)
• Team prefers web standards over abstractions
• Need forms that work without JavaScript

Ideal Projects:

• Content management systems
• E-commerce with accessibility requirements
• Government/enterprise applications
• Applications for unreliable networks

Migration Considerations

From Next.js Pages Router to App Router

• Significant learning curve
• Gradual migration possible
• Some patterns don't translate directly

From Next.js to Remix

• Rewrite data fetching (getServerSideProps to loaders)
• Update routing structure
• Refactor forms to use Remix conventions
• Generally simpler resulting code

From Remix to Next.js

• Convert loaders to Server Components
• Update routing to App Router conventions
• May need to add more client-side state management

The Verdict

Both frameworks are excellent choices in 2025. The decision comes down to:

Choose Next.js if:

• You want maximum features and ecosystem
• You're deploying to Vercel
• You need React Server Components
• Your team knows Next.js

Choose Remix if:

• You value progressive enhancement
• You want simpler mental models
• You're deploying to edge platforms
• You prefer web standards

For most teams, Next.js remains the safer choice due to its larger ecosystem and community. However, Remix offers a compelling alternative for teams who value simplicity and web standards.

Compare these frameworks side-by-side with our Compare tool or explore all React frameworks in our Tools directory.

Sources

• Next.js Documentation
• Remix Documentation
• State of JS 2024
• Vercel Blog - Next.js Performance
• Remix Blog