next.js

Next.js is the default full-stack React framework, and in 2026 that's both its greatest strength and its heaviest baggage. With 138k stars and Vercel's backing, it's the safe career bet — the React ecosystem, job market, and tooling support make it the path of least resistance for most teams.

Remix (now React Router) offers a web-standards-first approach with simpler data loading. SvelteKit compiles away the framework entirely. Astro ships 90% less JavaScript for content sites. But none of them match Next.js's ecosystem depth — middleware, API routes, ISR, server actions, and every React library just works.

Use this if you're building a SaaS, dashboard, or anything interactive that needs SSR, auth, and API routes in one repo. If you're building a blog or docs site, Astro will outperform it with less effort.

The catch: Vercel optimization is real. Self-hosting Next.js means losing edge middleware, image optimization, and ISR caching unless you rebuild that infrastructure yourself. You're not locked in, but you're definitely nudged.