Next.js API Routes vs Hono for Solo Developers

Quick Comparison

Next.js API Routes Overview

Next.js API Routes are the built-in way to add server-side logic to a Next.js app. You create files in app/api/, export handlers, and they deploy alongside your frontend. For projects where the backend is simple and the frontend is the star, this keeps everything unified.

I've used API Routes for webhook handlers, form processing, and lightweight data endpoints. The workflow is frictionless. No separate server, no CORS setup, no second deployment. When the backend needs are modest, this simplicity is hard to beat.

Where API Routes struggle is performance and flexibility. They're tied to Next.js and, usually, to Vercel's serverless infrastructure. You get cold starts, execution time limits, and no ability to run the backend independently. If your API outgrows your frontend, you're in an awkward spot.

Hono Overview

Hono is the framework that made me rethink how lightweight a web framework can be. It runs everywhere: Cloudflare Workers, Bun, Deno, Node.js, AWS Lambda, Vercel Edge. The API is Express-like but modernized, with built-in TypeScript support, middleware, and routing that feels natural.

The thing that surprised me most about Hono is how fast it starts. On Cloudflare Workers, cold starts are essentially zero. On Bun, the throughput is ridiculous. And the framework itself is tiny, under 14KB. Compare that to spinning up an Express server with all its dependencies and the difference is noticeable.

Hono also has a growing ecosystem of built-in middleware: JWT auth, CORS, rate limiting, Zod validation. You're not starting from scratch. You're starting with a lean but capable foundation that you extend as needed.

Key Differences

Runtime flexibility is Hono's standout feature. Next.js API Routes are locked to Next.js and typically to Node.js (or Vercel's serverless). Hono runs on any JavaScript runtime. Want to deploy to Cloudflare Workers for edge performance? Hono. Want to use Bun for raw speed? Hono. That portability matters when your needs change.

Framework coupling. API Routes are part of Next.js. If your frontend moves to SvelteKit or Astro, your API code doesn't come with you. Hono is standalone. You can pair it with any frontend, or no frontend at all. This independence is valuable for solo developers who might pivot.

Performance characteristics. Hono on Cloudflare Workers or Bun consistently benchmarks faster than Next.js API Routes on Vercel. If you're building something latency-sensitive, like a real-time data API or a proxy service, that speed gap is real.

Developer experience. Both are simple to get started with. Hono uses Express-like syntax that most JavaScript developers already know. API Routes use Next.js conventions that Next.js developers already know. Neither has a steep learning curve.

Middleware and validation. Hono has built-in middleware for common needs and integrates with Zod for request validation. Next.js API Routes have basic edge middleware but nothing comparable for endpoint-level validation. You'll pull in libraries yourself.

When to Choose Next.js API Routes

• You're already building a Next.js frontend and the API is small
• You want zero additional infrastructure
• You're deploying to Vercel and like the all-in-one experience
• The backend has fewer than 10-15 endpoints
• You don't need to share the API with other frontends

When to Choose Hono

• You want a standalone API you can deploy anywhere
• You need edge deployment (Cloudflare Workers) for low latency
• Performance is a priority for your use case
• You might switch frontends or need the API to serve multiple clients
• You prefer a dedicated backend framework that stays lean
• You want to use Bun or Deno as your runtime

The Verdict

Here's my honest take. If you're already in Next.js and your API needs are simple, API Routes are the path of least resistance. Don't add complexity for complexity's sake.

But if you're starting fresh and you know the backend will be more than a few endpoints, Hono is the better choice. It gives you Express-level simplicity with modern runtime flexibility, edge deployment options, and genuinely impressive performance. The fact that you can move it to Cloudflare Workers, Bun, or any other runtime without rewriting anything is a real advantage for solo developers who need to stay agile.

Hono has become one of my go-to recommendations for solo developers who want something between "API Routes in Next.js" and "full NestJS application." It hits a sweet spot that few other frameworks occupy.