NAVIGATING THE PITFALLS OF NEXT.JS: A BALANCED PERSPECTIVE

Next.js has rapidly become one of the most popular frameworks in the React ecosystem, praised for its built-in support for server-side rendering (SSR), static site generation (SSG), and API routes. While these features make Next.js highly appealing for developers, it’s important to acknowledge that it isn’t always the perfect solution for every project.

At Lynxmind, our Digital Experience tower is currently implementing an internal solution using Next.js. Throughout this process, we’ve been careful to identify and manage some common challenges that often accompany Next.js projects.

• COMPLEXITY AT SCALE
• PERFORMANCE CONSIDERATIONS
• OPINIONATED STRUCTURE AND LIMITED FLEXIBILITY
• AVOIDING OVER-ENGINEERING
• CHOOSING THE RIGHT TOOL

Complexity at Scale

One of the main pitfalls is that complexity tends to grow significantly as projects scale. Next.js shines in scenarios involving small to medium-sized projects where simplicity and performance are key. However, as soon as the project scope expands—particularly with complex state management, dynamic routing, or advanced middleware—developers often find themselves navigating unexpected complications and implementing workarounds. What began as straightforward can quickly become unwieldy.

Performance Considerations

Although Next.js is typically lauded for strong performance out of the box, achieving consistent, optimal performance is not always guaranteed. Server-side rendering, while beneficial in many situations, can become a bottleneck if not carefully optimized. It’s resource-intensive by nature, meaning that improperly configured applications may encounter slower page loads and degraded user experiences.

Opinionated Structure and Limited Flexibility

Next.js comes with its own set of conventions and opinions on how things should be done, which isn’t always suitable for every development team. This structured approach, beneficial for some teams, can become restrictive for others, especially those who require greater flexibility in build processes or deployment strategies. Developers accustomed to more flexible frameworks might find themselves frequently bumping against these constraints.

Avoiding Over-Engineering

Another important consideration is the risk of over-engineering. Driven by industry hype or peer pressure, teams might adopt Next.js prematurely without considering simpler, equally effective solutions. Alternatives like static site generators or even traditional client-side React apps might often better align with certain project requirements, minimizing unnecessary complexity.

Choosing the Right Tool

Next.js undoubtedly excels in many scenarios. However, it’s critical to remember that it isn’t a silver bullet. Selecting a technology should always start with clearly defined project requirements, constraints, and team capabilities—not simply popularity or current trends. For scenarios that demand simplicity, performance, and flexibility, alternative tools like Astro, SvelteKit, or even Remix could be more suitable. Recently we performed a major rebuild of our website using Astro. Read more about it here .

We’d love to hear your experiences with Next.js and other frameworks. Has Next.js been the perfect fit for your projects, or have you found success with other tools? Let us know your thoughts.