AntStack TV | React vs. Next.js: Choosing the Right Frontend Stack | Part 2

Welcome to another episode of AntStack TV 🎙️!

In this episode, we dive deeper into frontend architecture and explore the best choices for building modern web applications. Should you go with React or Next.js? How do Static Site Generation (SSG) and Server-Side Rendering (SSR) impact performance? We break it all down to help you make the right decision for your next project.

We also discuss AI-powered development and serverless functions, highlighting how Vercel AI SDK and generative UI are reshaping frontend engineering.

Key Topics Discussed:
🔵 React vs. Next.js – Which one should you choose?
🔵 SSR vs. SSG vs. CSR – Understanding the trade-offs
🔵 Code splitting, bundlers, and performance optimizations
🔵 AI-powered UI & serverless functions – The future of frontend development

Speakers:
👨‍💻 Rahul Sawant – Principal Solutions Architect at AntStack
👨‍💻 Prashanth HN – CTO & Co-founder, AntStack

If you’re a developer, architect, or AI enthusiast, looking to stay ahead in frontend development, this episode is for you!

Like, share, and subscribe for more expert insights on frontend frameworks, serverless solutions, and AI-driven web development!

Contact us for starting your serverless journey: https://www.antstack.com/build-with-us/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=ytConverstion

0:00 - Introduction to the episode and SSR, SSG, and prefetching
0:27 - TanStack debate: Is SSR overused or necessary?
1:19 - Choosing the right framework: React, Next.js, Vue, or Svelte
2:27 - Mental model to evaluate frontend tech based on project needs
3:36 - Importance of developer skillset in tech stack decision
4:00 - Use case-based framework decisions: animations → Svelte
5:12 - Role of ecosystem, libraries, and community in tech adoption
6:52 - Starting with Vite and React for modern frontend projects
7:25 - Evolution of bundlers: Webpack → Rollup → Vite → TurboPack
9:45 - How Next.js made SSR and routing easier out of the box
10:35 - Ongoing SSR compatibility issues with some component libraries
12:01 - React Server Components and current ecosystem limitations
13:17 - Why serverless functions matter for AI/LLM use cases
15:19 - Proxy patterns to protect API keys in frontend apps
15:40 - Vercel AI SDK introduction and its impact on frontend + GenAI
17:28 - Combining AI SDK with serverless functions for dynamic APIs
21:26 - Generative UI explained: turning prompts into live components
22:19 - Using ShadCN + AI SDK + Tailwind to build UI from prompts
23:00 - Cost challenges with LLM usage and token consumption
24:03 - Real-world use case: EMI calculator UI inside chat interface
25:32 - Personal dev stack: Next.js for SSR, or Vite + React + TanStack Router
27:07 - State management tools: Zustand, Jotai, and React Query
27:22 - Hosting preferences: AWS Amplify for orgs, Vercel for personal projects
28:47 - Vercel’s visual PR review tools for better stakeholder collaboration
31:08 - Closing thoughts and invitation for deeper technical episodes

Website: https://www.antstack.com/
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/antstackio
Behance: https://behance.net/antstack
Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/antstack
Instagram: https://instagram.com/lifeatantstack


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