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When to Use Which Type of Rendering in Your Next js Project

September 5, 2025
5 min read
When to Use Which Type of Rendering in Your Next js Project

Choosing the right rendering strategy in your Next.js project can feel confusing, but after reading this blog, that confusion will be gone! Understanding Client Side Rendering (CSR), Server Side Rendering (SSR), Static Site Generation (SSG), Incremental Static Regeneration (ISR), and the new Partial Prerendering (PPR) will help you unleash maximum speed, SEO, and flexibility with the latest Next.js (including the new App Router).


Why Rendering Strategies Matter

Next.js offers multiple rendering modes because each fits different web app needs. Picking the right one ensures faster load times, better SEO, and smoother user experiences. For example, static marketing pages demand instant speed and SEO, while dashboards require real-time updates. App Router makes using these strategies easier than ever.


Overview: Popular Rendering Types

  1. CSR (Client Side Rendering)
  2. SSR (Server Side Rendering)
  3. SSG (Static Site Generation)
  4. ISR (Incremental Static Regeneration)
  5. PPR (Partial Prerendering, experimental)


Each type has its use cases, strengths, and tradeoffs. Here’s how to pick what works best for your scenario.


1. Client Side Rendering (CSR)


Where CSR is Used

CSR shines for highly interactive, dynamic applications, like dashboards or single-page apps, where SEO isn’t critical and data changes frequently.


Example with App Router

To use CSR, simply create a Client Component using the "use client" directive:


"use client";

export default function Dashboard() {
// Fetches data only in the browser.
return <div>Welcome to your dashboard!</div>;
}

This renders the page purely in the browser—no pre-rendered HTML from the server.


2. Server Side Rendering (SSR)


Where SSR is Used

SSR is essential for SEO-focused and dynamic pages that need up-to-date data on every request (e.g., user profiles, e-commerce product detail pages).


Example with App Router

With the App Router, server components are rendered on each request. Use async server components:


export default async function ProductPage({ params }) {
const product = await fetch(`https://api.example.com/products/${params.id}`).then(res => res.json());
return <div>{product.name}</div>;
}

No need for getServerSideProps—just leverage async Server Components!


3. Static Site Generation (SSG)


Where SSG is Used

SSG is perfect for pages that rarely change—think blog articles, documentation, or marketing pages.


Example with App Router

Static routes in App Router are automatically pre-rendered at build time:


export async function generateStaticParams() {
// Fetch all IDs you want to pre-render.
return [{ id: "123" }, { id: "456" }];
}

// Server Component for each page
export default async function BlogPost({ params }) {
const post = await fetch(`https://api.example.com/posts/${params.id}`).then(res => res.json());
return <h1>{post.title}</h1>;
}

This generates static HTML for each blog post at build—blazing fast for visitors.


4. Incremental Static Regeneration (ISR)


Where ISR is Used

ISR fits sites needing static speed with periodic updates, such as news, e-commerce listings, or frequently updated blogs.


Example with App Router

ISR is enabled by setting a revalidation period:


export const revalidate = 60; // seconds

export default async function ProductPage({ params }) {
const product = await fetch(`https://api.example.com/products/${params.id}`).then(res => res.json());
return <h2>{product.name}</h2>;
}

Pages are regenerated after the set interval, giving the latest content while maintaining static speed.


5. Partial Prerendering (PPR) [Experimental]


Where PPR is Used

Partial Prerendering is new and experimental, letting you combine static and dynamic content on the same route—great for landing pages with some real-time widgets.


Example with App Router


Enable PPR in next.config.ts:

// next.config.ts
export const experimental_ppr = true;


Then, use Suspense for dynamic chunks:

import { Suspense } from "react";

export default function Page() {
return (
<main>
<Header /> {/* Static */}
<Suspense fallback={<Loading />}>
<LiveWidget /> {/* Dynamic */}
</Suspense>
</main>
);
}

This streams the static header instantly and loads the live widget as data arrives.


Rendering Strategy Comparison


Conclusion

Picking the right rendering mode in Next.js is essential for building fast, SEO-friendly, and user-centered apps. With the App Router, dividing components between server and client is straightforward. Most projects today use SSR, SSG, or ISR for primary pages, and use CSR only for highly interactive sections. PPR is emerging for hybrid scenarios. Use the examples above as a blueprint for your Next.js journey—they’re all compatible with the latest Next.js version as of 2025.


FAQs


Q: Which rendering type is best for SEO?

A: SSR and SSG are most SEO-friendly, with ISR also great for frequently updated static pages.

Q: Can I mix rendering strategies in one project?

A: Yes! App Router allows mixing CSR, SSR, SSG, ISR, and PPR in different routes or components.

Q: When should I use CSR?

A: Use CSR for fast, dynamic dashboards or apps where SEO doesn’t matter much.

Q: Is PPR ready for production?

A: PPR is experimental—test carefully before deploying at scale, and watch for updates from Next.js.

Q: Should I learn App Router for new projects?

A: Yes! App Router is the future of Next.js, making complex rendering choices easier and more powerful.


After reading this, choosing the right rendering mode for any Next.js project should be crystal clear. unlock lightning-fast, SEO-optimized, modern websites using the latest features today.

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