Why I Prefer ISR Over SSR in Next.js

August 1, 2024

  • Insights
Thumbnail

The Benefits of Incremental Static Regeneration (ISR)

When building a website with Next.js, one of the key decisions you'll make is how to handle page rendering. Two popular options are Server-Side Rendering (SSR) and Incremental Static Regeneration (ISR). In this post, I'll explain why I prefer ISR over SSR for my Next.js project.

ISR Diagram

What is Server-Side Rendering (SSR)?

Server-Side Rendering is a technique where the server generates HTML pages on every request. This approach has several benefits, including improved SEO, faster page loads, and better support for dynamic content. However, SSR can become cumbersome when dealing with large-scale websites or applications that require frequent updates.

What is Incremental Static Regeneration (ISR)?

Incremental Static Regeneration is a feature introduced by Next.js that allows you to use static generation on a per-page basis. With ISR, you can retain the benefits of static while scaling to millions of pages. This approach is particularly useful for websites with high traffic or dynamic content that requires frequent updates.

Why I Prefer ISR Over SSR

So, why do I prefer ISR over SSR? Here are some reasons:

  • Scalability: With ISR, you can handle a large number of pages without sacrificing performance. In contrast, SSR can become bottlenecked as the number of requests increases.
  • Flexibility: ISR allows you to use static generation on a per-page basis, giving you more control over how your website is rendered.
  • Maintenance: Since ISR uses static files, maintenance and updates are much easier than with SSR.

Conclusion

While both SSR and ISR have their benefits, I believe that Incremental Static Regeneration is the better choice for my Next.js project. With its scalability, flexibility, and ease of maintenance, ISR allows me to build a high-performance website without sacrificing functionality or SEO benefits.