When building modern web applications, developers often find themselves choosing between using plain React or adopting a framework built on top of it. One of the most popular frameworks today is Next.js, and with the release of Next.js 15, the gap between it and plain React has widened even further in terms of features and developer experience.

In this post, I’ll explain why I chose Next.js 15 for my latest project instead of using just React.

1. Built-in Routing System

React by itself does not provide routing; developers must integrate third-party libraries like React Router. Next.js 15, on the other hand, comes with a file-based routing system that’s more intuitive and faster to set up. Simply drop a file in the /app or /pages directory, and it becomes a route automatically.

2. Server Actions and Enhanced Data Fetching

Next.js 15 introduces powerful features like Server Actions, allowing developers to run server-side logic directly in their components. This reduces boilerplate code and improves performance by keeping data processing closer to the source.

Additionally, with React Server Components (RSC) and improved Streaming, Next.js 15 makes it easier to build fast, SEO-friendly web apps with minimal client-side JavaScript.

3. Zero Config for Full-Stack Capabilities

With Next.js, you get full-stack features like API routes and middleware out of the box. There’s no need to set up a separate backend server for basic backend tasks—making it easier to build end-to-end applications within one project.

4. Image Optimization and Performance

Next.js 15 includes an advanced image component (next/image) that automatically optimizes images for different devices and screen sizes. This saves bandwidth and improves page load speed without requiring manual optimization.

5. Better Developer Experience

Features like

• Fast Refresh

• Built-in ESLint and TypeScript support

• Incremental Static Regeneration (ISR)

‣ Improved error handling and debugging tools

make working in Next.js more enjoyable and productive, especially for large teams or production-grade apps.

6. Scalability and Flexibility

Whether you're building a static site, a hybrid app, or a fully dynamic application, Next.js 15 can handle it. It provides flexible rendering methods like:

• Static Generation (SSG)

• Server-side Rendering (SSR)

• Client-side Rendering (CSR)

• Edge Functions

This flexibility makes it suitable for a wide range of use cases without needing to switch stacks.

Conclusion

While React is still an excellent library for building UI components, Next.js 15 enhances it with powerful features and production-ready tools that save time and improve performance. If you're starting a new project and want scalability, built-in routing, server-side capabilities, and better performance out of the box, Next.js 15 is a smart choice.