Why I Switched from Next.js to Svelte: A Developer’s Journey
As a developer, choosing the right framework is crucial to the success of any project. After building multiple applications with Next.js, I found myself at a point where I needed to evaluate whether it was still the best fit for my upcoming projects. Next.js had been my go-to for its powerful server-side rendering, excellent SEO capabilities, and the extensive support provided by the React ecosystem. Yet, as my projects evolved, I started to feel that maybe it wasn’t the perfect fit for everything I wanted to create.
That’s when Svelte came into the picture, and after a lot of consideration, I made the decision to switch. Here’s why.
What I Loved About Next.js
Before I dive into why I transitioned to Svelte, it’s worth mentioning what made Next.js such a great tool in the first place. For many of the apps I built, Next.js offered powerful features right out of the box:
- Server-side rendering (SSR) was seamless, providing fast initial loads and improved SEO.
- The file-based routing made navigating large projects a breeze.
- The vast React ecosystem offered tools for just about everything.
For a long time, Next.js seemed unbeatable, especially for dynamic websites that needed both speed and scalability.
Why I Started Looking for a Change
While Next.js is robust, I began to notice that for smaller, more dynamic apps, I didn’t always need all the extra features it offered. As I continued with my Lucky100 Challenge, where I’m building 100 apps in a year, I found myself craving something simpler and more lightweight for some of these projects.
Next.js often felt like more than I needed for certain applications, particularly those that didn’t rely heavily on server-side rendering or complex routing. I wanted to focus more on performance and responsiveness—without the added weight of React’s virtual DOM and the complexity that comes with managing state.
Discovering Svelte
That’s when I stumbled upon Svelte. Unlike frameworks like React or Vue, which use a virtual DOM, Svelte compiles components at build time. The result? Smaller, faster apps. Svelte felt like a breath of fresh air—cleaner syntax, less boilerplate code, and no need for extra libraries to manage state.
In Svelte, the components are self-contained, meaning everything—from styling to logic—can exist in a single file. This reduces the overhead and complexity often seen with React and its ecosystem. I immediately appreciated how simple Svelte’s approach was for creating dynamic, responsive UIs.
The Key Reasons I Switched to Svelte
Here are the main factors that tipped the scales for me:
- Performance: Svelte compiles at build time, generating highly efficient code that eliminates the virtual DOM altogether. This drastically reduces the size of the JavaScript that ends up in the browser, resulting in faster, more lightweight apps.
- Reactivity: In Svelte, reactivity is built-in and incredibly intuitive. Unlike React, where you have to manage state with hooks or other state management libraries, Svelte’s reactive statements allow data binding to happen naturally. This simplicity saved me from writing extra code, which can be a significant time-saver when you’re juggling multiple projects.
- Simpler State Management: In React, managing global state can become cumbersome. With Svelte, state management is minimal and directly tied to the components, making it easier to create clean, maintainable code.
- Fewer Dependencies: Since Svelte handles most things internally, I didn’t have to rely on a large ecosystem of third-party libraries. This resulted in fewer dependencies and a leaner, more manageable codebase.
- Tailwind CSS Integration: Like Next.js, Svelte works great with Tailwind CSS for building responsive and stylish UIs. But in Svelte, the integration feels even more natural and lightweight.
How It’s Been So Far
Switching to Svelte has been a rewarding experience. The learning curve was surprisingly short, and I found myself building apps faster than ever before. Its simplicity allows me to focus more on creating features and less on the intricacies of the framework itself.
For example, I recently built an Interactive Travel Map as part of my Lucky100 Challenge, using Svelte’s reactivity and component model. I was able to create dynamic, real-time updates and seamless user interactions without the weight of a large framework slowing things down.
What I Miss About Next.js
That’s not to say there aren’t things I miss about Next.js. The built-in routing and SSR capabilities make it fantastic for larger, more complex projects. When SEO is a priority, Next.js still reigns supreme. But for smaller apps, or those focused purely on client-side performance, Svelte just feels smoother.
Final Thoughts
In the world of web development, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Each framework has its strengths and weaknesses, and part of being a developer is knowing when to adapt. For now, Svelte has become my tool of choice for projects that demand simplicity, speed, and responsiveness.
As I continue on my Lucky100 journey, I’m excited to see where this shift to Svelte takes me. Every project is a new opportunity to grow, and right now, Svelte is helping me push the boundaries of what’s possible.
If you’re a developer looking for something fresh or tired of the complexities in your current framework, I highly recommend giving Svelte a shot!