Server Side Rendering vs Static Generation

Developers should use SSR when building applications that require fast initial page loads, improved SEO for search engine crawlers, or better performance on low-powered devices meets developers should use static generation when building websites with predictable, infrequently updated content, as it provides superior performance, security, and scalability compared to server-side rendering. Here's our take.

Server Side Rendering

Nice Pick

Developers should use SSR when building applications that require fast initial page loads, improved SEO for search engine crawlers, or better performance on low-powered devices

Pros

• It's particularly useful for content-heavy websites like blogs, e-commerce platforms, and news sites where first contentful paint is critical
• Related to: next-js, nuxt-js

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

Static Generation

Developers should use Static Generation when building websites with predictable, infrequently updated content, as it provides superior performance, security, and scalability compared to server-side rendering

Pros

• It is ideal for blogs, documentation sites, and e-commerce product pages where SEO and fast load times are critical
• Related to: next-js, gatsby

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

The Verdict

These tools serve different purposes. Server Side Rendering is a concept while Static Generation is a methodology. We picked Server Side Rendering based on overall popularity, but your choice depends on what you're building.

The Bottom Line

Server Side Rendering wins

Based on overall popularity. Server Side Rendering is more widely used, but Static Generation excels in its own space.

Related Comparisons