How Astro compares to Next.js for React apps

In the competitive React ecosystem, developers often choose between frameworks like Astro and Next.js, which cater to different needs. Next.js is a well-established, full-stack framework designed specifically for React, offering extensive features such as server-side rendering, static site generation, and API routes, making it suitable for a wide range of applications. In contrast, Astro is a newer, static site generator that emphasizes speed through features like partial hydration and a framework-agnostic approach, allowing it to integrate with various libraries such as Vue and Svelte. Astro's components compile into static HTML, optimizing client-side performance, while Next.js focuses on enhancing React apps with a rich feature set. Despite their shared goal of supporting React web apps, their fundamental differences in core functionality and priorities guide developers in choosing the best framework based on technical requirements and product needs.