Next.js vs HTMX for Solo Developers

This is an unusual comparison because Next.js and HTMX represent fundamentally different philosophies about web development. Next.js is a full JavaScript framework that renders React on the server and hydrates it on the client. HTMX is a tiny library that extends HTML with attributes for making AJAX requests, so your server returns HTML fragments instead of JSON.

I've used both approaches on real projects, and the experience couldn't be more different. Next.js feels like building with a full construction crew. HTMX feels like hammering nails yourself. Both get the house built, but the process and the constraints are wildly different.

Quick Comparison

Next.js Overview

Next.js is the dominant full-stack React framework. It handles server rendering, static generation, API routes, image optimization, and deployment. The Vercel platform makes hosting effortless, and the React ecosystem gives you component libraries, state management, and integrations for nearly anything.

For solo developers building interactive applications with complex UIs, Next.js is incredibly productive. Server components let you fetch data directly in your component tree. Client components give you rich interactivity. The mental model takes time to learn, but once it clicks, you can build sophisticated apps quickly.

The cost is complexity. Your stack includes Node.js, React, JSX/TSX, a bundler, and various React patterns (hooks, context, state management). That's a lot of moving parts when something goes wrong at midnight and you're debugging alone.

HTMX Overview

HTMX takes the opposite approach. Instead of shipping a JavaScript framework to the browser, HTMX lets your server return HTML and replaces parts of the page dynamically. You add attributes like hx-get, hx-post, and hx-swap to your HTML elements, and HTMX handles the rest.

The beauty of HTMX is that it works with any backend. Python, Go, Ruby, PHP, whatever you already know. Your server renders HTML (which it was always good at), and HTMX makes it feel interactive without a JavaScript build step. No webpack. No Babel. No node_modules folder.

I was skeptical at first, honestly. Coming from React, the idea of returning HTML fragments from the server felt like going backward. Then I built a small dashboard with Django and HTMX in an afternoon. The same feature set took me two days with Next.js on a previous project. That simplicity is real, and it matters when you're the only developer.

The limitation is clear though. Complex client-side interactions like drag-and-drop, real-time collaborative editing, or rich data visualizations are hard or impossible with HTMX alone. If your app is mostly forms, tables, and CRUD operations, HTMX is brilliant. If you need a rich interactive experience, you'll hit walls.

Key Differences

Architecture. Next.js is SPA-like with server rendering. HTMX is server-rendered with dynamic HTML swaps. This is the most fundamental difference and it affects everything else.

JavaScript dependency. Next.js requires JavaScript for the app to function. HTMX adds interactivity progressively. Your HTMX pages still work as basic HTML if JavaScript fails. This isn't a huge practical concern, but it affects page load performance.

Backend freedom. HTMX works with any backend language. Next.js locks you into the Node.js ecosystem. If you're a Python, Go, or Ruby developer, HTMX lets you use your strongest language for everything. Next.js requires you to work in JavaScript/TypeScript even if it's not your best language.

Bundle size. HTMX is about 14KB. Next.js ships React's runtime plus your application code. For content-heavy apps, the difference in initial load time is noticeable.

Client-side state. Next.js gives you React's state management, context, and the entire ecosystem of state libraries. HTMX has minimal client-side state. The server is your state manager. For CRUD apps, this is simpler. For complex interactive UIs, it's limiting.

Deployment. Next.js needs a Node.js server (or Vercel/similar). HTMX works with any hosting that runs your backend. A $5 VPS running Django or Rails with HTMX is a perfectly viable production setup.

When to Choose Next.js

• You're building a rich, interactive application with complex UI state
• You want access to the React component library ecosystem
• Real-time features, drag-and-drop, or data visualizations are core to your app
• You're comfortable with JavaScript/TypeScript as your primary language
• You want seamless deployment on Vercel

When to Choose HTMX

• Your app is primarily forms, tables, CRUD operations, and server-rendered content
• You have a strong backend language (Python, Go, Ruby) and want to use it for everything
• You value simplicity and want minimal frontend tooling
• Fast initial page loads are important to you
• You're building internal tools, admin panels, or dashboards

The Verdict

This isn't really an apples-to-apples comparison, and that's actually the point. If you're a backend developer who doesn't love JavaScript, HTMX lets you build modern-feeling web apps without leaving your comfort zone. The simplicity is genuine, and for the right type of application, HTMX is faster to build with and easier to maintain than any JavaScript framework.

If you're building something that needs rich client-side interactivity, pick Next.js. React's component model handles complex UIs in ways HTMX simply can't.

My honest recommendation for solo developers: try HTMX on your next CRUD-style project. You might be surprised how much you can accomplish with HTML attributes and your backend of choice. Save Next.js for the projects that genuinely need a rich JavaScript frontend. Not everything does, and recognizing that saves you from overengineering simple applications.