The React framework for the web — Next.js is used to build full-stack web applications with routing, rendering, data fetching, caching, and build tooling built in.
What is Next.js?
The React framework for the web — Next.js is used to build full-stack web applications with routing, rendering, data fetching, caching, and build tooling built in.
SubcategoryReact Framework
Version16.3.2
PriceFree
What is Next.js?
Introduction to Next.js — what it does and who it is for.
What do you need to run Next.js?
System requirements, OS support, and hardware needs for Next.js.
Next.js requires Node.js 20.9 or later and runs on macOS, Windows (including WSL), and Linux; it has no separate memory, storage, or processor requirements since it is a framework, not an installed application.
| Operating system | LinuxmacOSWindows (including WSL) |
|---|---|
| Devices | Cross-platform (any OS running Node.js) |
Programming languages
- ✓JavaScript
- ✓Rust (build tooling)
- ✓TypeScript
How much does Next.js cost?
Pricing plans, license type, and availability for Next.js.
Next.js is a free, open-source framework distributed under the MIT license, with no separate paid tier for the framework itself.
| Price summary | Free (Open Source) |
|---|---|
| License details | MIT License |
| Availability | Available |
What is Next.js used for?
Key features, use cases, and capabilities of Next.js.
Next.js provides the App Router, Server Components, built-in Image Optimization, API Route Handlers, Middleware, and Incremental Static Regeneration (ISR), along with the Turbopack bundler for fast builds.
Key features
- ✓App Router
- ✓Server Components
- ✓Image Optimization (next/image)
- ✓API Routes / Route Handlers
- ✓Middleware
- ✓Incremental Static Regeneration (ISR)
- ✓Turbopack bundler
- ✓File-system based routing
Use cases
- ✓Building full-stack React web applications
- ✓Server-side rendered and statically generated marketing/e-commerce sites
- ✓Building APIs and backend route handlers alongside a frontend
- ✓SEO-optimized content sites and blogs
Who should use Next.js?
Target users, industries, and ideal use cases for Next.js.
Next.js targets frontend and full-stack web developers building React-based applications, spanning web development use cases across industries.
| Industries | Software development / web development (cross-industry) |
|---|---|
| Target audience | Frontend And Full-stack Web Developers |
How is Next.js deployed?
Deployment options, API, and hosting for Next.js.
Next.js is open source and can be self-hosted on any environment that runs Node.js, in addition to being deployable on Vercel's hosting platform.
| API integration | ✓ |
|---|---|
| Open source | ✓ |
| Self-hosting | ✓ |
How do you get started with Next.js?
Installation and onboarding steps for Next.js.
Developers can start a new Next.js app by running `npx create-next-app@latest`, per the official installation guide at nextjs.org/docs.
What are the pros and cons of Next.js?
Balanced review of strengths and weaknesses of Next.js.
G2 reviewers praise Next.js's file-based routing, SSR/SEO support, and full-stack capabilities, while citing a steep learning curve and deployment difficulty outside of Vercel as drawbacks.
| Pro | Con |
|---|---|
| +File-based routing simplifies navigation and organization (G2 reviews) | −Steep learning curve, especially App Router server/client components (G2 reviews) |
| +Strong SSR/SSG support for SEO-friendly apps (G2 reviews) | −Deployment can be difficult when not using Vercel (G2 reviews) |
| +Full-stack development in one project (G2 reviews) | −Framework feels primarily designed around Vercel (G2 reviews) |
| +Built-in image optimization and fast performance (G2 reviews) | |
| +Large, active community with 5M+ weekly downloads (nextjs.org/docs/community) |
Where can you learn more about Next.js?
Documentation, support, and official links for Next.js.
Official resources include the Next.js documentation, the vercel/next.js GitHub repository, GitHub Discussions, a Discord server, and the r/nextjs subreddit.
| Website | Website |
|---|---|
| Documentation | Documentation |
| Source code | Source code |
| Install | Install |
Frequently asked questions
What is Next.js?
The React framework for the web — Next.js is used to build full-stack web applications with routing, rendering, data fetching, caching, and build tooling built in.
Is Next.js free?
Next.js is a free, open-source framework distributed under the MIT license, with no separate paid tier for the framework itself.
What is Next.js used for?
Next.js provides the App Router, Server Components, built-in Image Optimization, API Route Handlers, Middleware, and Incremental Static Regeneration (ISR), along with the Turbopack bundler for fast builds.
Where can I get Next.js?
You can get Next.js via the official website, the install page, GitHub and the source repository. See the resources section on this page for direct links.
Who should use Next.js?
Next.js targets frontend and full-stack web developers building React-based applications, spanning web development use cases across industries.
What do you need to run Next.js?
Next.js requires Node.js 20.9 or later and runs on macOS, Windows (including WSL), and Linux; it has no separate memory, storage, or processor requirements since it is a framework, not an installed application.
How do you get started with Next.js?
Developers can start a new Next.js app by running `npx create-next-app@latest`, per the official installation guide at nextjs.org/docs.
How is Next.js deployed?
Next.js is open source and can be self-hosted on any environment that runs Node.js, in addition to being deployable on Vercel's hosting platform.
Who developed Next.js?
Next.js is developed by Vercel.
What are the pros and cons of Next.js?
G2 reviewers praise Next.js's file-based routing, SSR/SEO support, and full-stack capabilities, while citing a steep learning curve and deployment difficulty outside of Vercel as drawbacks.