Next.js vs React vs Angular Compared with Code Examples

When it comes to frontend frameworks, developers often debate between Next.js, React, and Angular.

Sometimes heated..

Sometimes It reminds me of old Lunchtime arguments with coworkers over C++ vs Java…

Each has its own strengths and weaknesses, making each good for different types of projects.

Below is a Cheatsheet comparsion of key points

1. Overview

Feature	Next.js	React	Angular
Type	Framework (built on React)	Library	Full-fledged Framework
Language	JavaScript/TypeScript	JavaScript/TypeScript	TypeScript
SSR/SSG	Yes (built-in)	No (requires Next.js)	No (requires Angular Universal)
State Management	React Context, Redux, Zustand	React Context, Redux, Zustand	RxJS, Services
Learning Curve	Moderate	Easy	Steep
Performance	High (Static/Server Rendering)	Moderate	Moderate

2. Basic Code Examples

React Example (Basic Component)

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import React from 'react';

function HelloWorld() {
  return <h1>Hello, World!</h1>;
}

export default HelloWorld;

Next.js Example (Server-side Rendering)

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import React from 'react';

export async function getServerSideProps() {
  return { props: { message: 'Hello, Server-Side Rendering!' } };
}

function Home({ message }) {
  return <h1>{message}</h1>;
}

export default Home;

Angular Example (Component)

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import { Component } from '@angular/core';

@Component({
  selector: 'app-hello-world',
  template: '<h1>Hello, World!</h1>'
})
export class HelloWorldComponent {}

3. When to Use What?

Use Next.js if you need server-side rendering (SSR), static site generation (SSG), or an optimized SEO-friendly app.
Use React if you want a lightweight, flexible UI library without additional complexity.
Use Angular if you need a full-fledged framework with built-in tools for large enterprise applications.

Key Takeaways

Category	Next.js	React	Angular
SEO-Friendly	✅	❌	✅ (with Angular Universal)
Performance	✅ (SSR/SSG)	⚠️ (CSR Only)	⚠️ (Heavier)
Ease of Use	Moderate	Easy	Hard
Scalability	High	Medium	High
Best For	Static & dynamic sites	UI Components	Large applications

Next.js vs React vs Angular

Cheatsheet Comparison of these three