Remix vs SolidJS for Solo Developers

Quick Comparison

Remix Overview

Remix is a React framework that takes web standards seriously. The nested routing system lets each URL segment manage its own data loading and error handling independently. Loaders fetch data on the server before rendering. Actions process form submissions. Everything is built on HTTP primitives, which means forms work without JavaScript and pages degrade gracefully.

For solo developers, Remix's structured approach to data flow is helpful. You always know where data comes from (loaders) and where mutations happen (actions). That clarity reduces debugging time. The error boundary system is also excellent. When something breaks in one part of the page, it doesn't crash the rest.

The drawback is community momentum. Remix's merger into React Router v7 has created confusion about its identity and future. The ecosystem is smaller than Next.js, and resources are harder to find.

SolidJS Overview

SolidJS takes React's component model and rebuilds it on fine-grained reactivity. It uses JSX, so it looks familiar to React developers, but the execution model is completely different. Components run once. Only the specific signals that change trigger DOM updates. No virtual DOM, no reconciliation, no wasted renders.

In my testing, Solid's performance is consistently at or near the top of framework benchmarks. It's not just marketing. The fine-grained reactivity approach genuinely produces faster applications, especially when you have many dynamic elements on screen.

SolidStart, the meta-framework, provides SSR, file-based routing, and server functions. It's comparable to Remix or SvelteKit in scope, though younger and with fewer community resources. You'll find yourself reading source code more often than documentation.

Key Differences

Rendering architecture. Remix re-renders React components when data changes, relying on React's virtual DOM diffing. Solid runs components once and updates only the exact DOM nodes tied to changed signals. For performance-sensitive UIs, Solid's approach is measurably faster.

Data loading model. Remix has a well-defined loader/action pattern that colocates data fetching with routes. SolidStart has server functions and createRouteData, but the patterns are less established. Remix's data loading story is more mature and opinionated.

Error handling. Remix's nested error boundaries are best-in-class. Each route segment catches its own errors gracefully. Solid has error boundaries too, but Remix's integration with nested routing makes them more powerful and automatic.

Ecosystem. Remix benefits from the React ecosystem. Any React library works in Remix. Solid's ecosystem is much smaller. You have dedicated libraries like Solid UI primitives and Kobalte, but the selection is limited compared to what React offers.

Learning curve from React. If you know React, Remix feels like React with extra structure. Solid looks like React but behaves differently. Signals don't work like state hooks. Derived values don't work like useMemo. The JSX similarity can actually trip you up because your React intuitions lead you astray.

When to Choose Remix

• You already know React and want a structured meta-framework
• Your app has complex nested routing and data loading needs
• Error handling and progressive enhancement matter to you
• You want access to the full React library ecosystem
• You prefer a well-defined data flow pattern (loaders/actions)

When to Choose SolidJS

• Raw rendering performance is a priority for your project
• You want fine-grained reactivity without a virtual DOM
• You enjoy exploring newer frameworks and don't mind a smaller community
• Your project has lots of dynamic, frequently-updating UI elements
• You prefer a lighter runtime footprint

The Verdict

Both Remix and SolidJS sit at 7/10 for solo developers, but for different reasons. Remix loses points for community uncertainty and reliance on the larger React ecosystem. Solid loses points for ecosystem immaturity and steeper-than-expected learning curve despite the familiar JSX syntax.

If you're a React developer looking for structure, Remix gives you that within the ecosystem you know. If you're performance-focused and willing to invest in a newer framework, Solid rewards that investment with genuinely faster applications. For most solo developers, though, neither is the obvious first choice. SvelteKit or Next.js offer more community support and smoother development experiences. Pick Remix or Solid when their specific strengths align with your specific needs.