Why We Chose Next.js for Enterprise Clients
After years of building applications across various frameworks, we've settled on Next.js as our default choice for enterprise clients. Here's the reasoning behind that decision, and when we deviate from it.
The Enterprise Requirements
Enterprise clients come with a specific set of requirements that consumer-focused startups often don't prioritize:
- . Security-first architecture: Every endpoint, every data flow needs to be auditable
- . Performance at scale: Not just fast for 100 users, but predictable for 100,000
- . Long-term maintainability: The codebase needs to be comprehensible 5 years from now
- . Compliance readiness: HIPAA, SOC 2, GDPR, and the alphabet soup of regulations
Why Next.js Wins
Server Components Change Everything
React Server Components aren't just a performance optimization. They're a security model. By default, sensitive logic stays on the server. You have to explicitly choose to send code to the client.
The Vercel Ecosystem
Yes, you can self-host Next.js. But Vercel's infrastructure (edge functions, image optimization, analytics) removes operational complexity that enterprises shouldn't be building themselves.
TypeScript as a First-Class Citizen
The Next.js team treats TypeScript as the default, not an afterthought. This matters when you're building systems that will be maintained by rotating teams over years.
When We Don't Use Next.js
- Highly interactive SPAs: When the application is 90% client-side interaction, a lighter framework like Vite + React might be more appropriate
- Legacy integration requirements: Some enterprise environments have constraints that favor server-rendered templates
- Extreme edge cases: Real-time collaboration tools, game-like experiences, or highly specialized use cases
The Bottom Line
Framework choice is a means to an end. We chose Next.js because it aligns with how we think enterprise software should be built: secure by default, performant at scale, and maintainable over time.
Questions about your stack choice? [Reach out](/contact) for a technical consultation.