ArchitectureComparison
Meta Frameworks
Comparing SvelteKit and Next.js - performance, features, and use cases
SvelteKit vs Next.js
A comparison of two popular full-stack meta-frameworks for building modern web applications.
Overview
| Feature | SvelteKit | Next.js |
|---|---|---|
| Base Framework | Svelte | React |
| Initial Release | 2020 | 2016 |
| Maintainer | Svelte Team | Vercel |
| Architecture | Compiler-based | Virtual DOM |
| Runtime | None (compiles away) | React (~42 KB) |
| Rendering | SSR, SSG, CSR | SSR, SSG, ISR, CSR |
| Deployment | Adapter-based (flexible) | Optimized for Vercel |
Performance Benchmarks
SSR Benchmark (requests/second)
| Test Scenario | SvelteKit | Next.js | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hello World | 4,063 req/s | 2,570 req/s | +58% |
| Component Rendering | 4,265 req/s | 2,794 req/s | +53% |
| API Endpoint Fetch | 2,286 req/s | 388 req/s | +489% |
Response Latency
| Test Scenario | SvelteKit | Next.js |
|---|---|---|
| Hello World | 1,382ms | 1,761ms |
| Component Rendering | 48ms | 71ms |
| API Endpoint Fetch | 92ms | 527ms |
Bundle Size
| Metric | SvelteKit | Next.js |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Bundle (typical) | 50-100 KB | 200-300 KB |
| With Client Router (gzip) | ~25 KB | ~131 KB |
| Runtime Overhead | 0 KB | ~42 KB |
| Bundle Size Reduction | 60-80% smaller | Baseline |
Lighthouse Scores (typical)
| Metric | SvelteKit | Next.js |
|---|---|---|
| Performance Score | High 90s | Low 90s |
| LCP (Largest Contentful Paint) | < 1s | > 1s |
| First Input Delay | < 100ms | May exceed 100ms |
Rendering Strategies
SvelteKit
// +page.server.js - Server-side data loading
export async function load({ params }) {
const post = await getPost(params.slug);
return { post };
}
// +page.js - Universal (runs on server & client)
export async function load({ fetch }) {
const res = await fetch('/api/data');
return { data: await res.json() };
}Rendering options via +page.js:
export const prerender = true; // SSG
export const ssr = true; // SSR (default)
export const csr = true; // CSR (default)Next.js
// App Router - Server Component (default)
async function Page({ params }) {
const post = await getPost(params.slug);
return <Article post={post} />;
}
// Client Component
'use client';
function Counter() {
const [count, setCount] = useState(0);
return <button onClick={() => setCount(count + 1)}>{count}</button>;
}Rendering options:
generateStaticParams()- SSGdynamic = 'force-dynamic'- SSRrevalidate = 60- ISR (Incremental Static Regeneration)
Routing
SvelteKit
src/routes/
├── +page.svelte → /
├── about/
│ └── +page.svelte → /about
├── blog/
│ ├── +page.svelte → /blog
│ └── [slug]/
│ └── +page.svelte → /blog/:slug
└── api/
└── posts/
└── +server.js → /api/postsFeatures:
- File-based routing with
+page.svelte - Layouts with
+layout.svelte - API routes with
+server.js preloadCode()andpreloadData()for prefetching
Next.js
app/
├── page.tsx → /
├── about/
│ └── page.tsx → /about
├── blog/
│ ├── page.tsx → /blog
│ └── [slug]/
│ └── page.tsx → /blog/:slug
└── api/
└── posts/
└── route.ts → /api/postsFeatures:
- File-based routing with
page.tsx - Layouts with
layout.tsx - API routes with
route.ts - Parallel routes and intercepting routes
- Built-in prefetching via
<Link>
Data Loading
| Aspect | SvelteKit | Next.js |
|---|---|---|
| Server Data | +page.server.js load function | Server Components (default) |
| Client Data | +page.js load function | 'use client' + hooks |
| API Routes | +server.js | route.ts |
| Streaming | Supported | Supported with Suspense |
| Caching | Manual or adapter-based | Built-in with revalidation |
State Management
SvelteKit
Built-in reactive stores:
import { writable, derived } from 'svelte/store';
const count = writable(0);
const doubled = derived(count, $count => $count * 2);
// In component
$count = 5; // Direct assignmentNext.js
External libraries required:
// Using Zustand
import { create } from 'zustand';
const useStore = create((set) => ({
count: 0,
increment: () => set((state) => ({ count: state.count + 1 })),
}));
// In component
const { count, increment } = useStore();Deployment
| Platform | SvelteKit | Next.js |
|---|---|---|
| Vercel | ✅ (adapter-vercel) | ✅ (Optimized) |
| Netlify | ✅ (adapter-netlify) | ✅ |
| Cloudflare | ✅ (adapter-cloudflare) | ⚠️ Limited |
| Node.js | ✅ (adapter-node) | ✅ |
| Static | ✅ (adapter-static) | ✅ (export) |
| Docker | ✅ | ✅ |
Ecosystem
| Aspect | SvelteKit | Next.js |
|---|---|---|
| Component Libraries | Limited (Skeleton, Flowbite) | Extensive (shadcn, MUI, Chakra) |
| Learning Resources | Growing | Abundant |
| Job Market | Emerging | Large |
| Community Size | Smaller | Larger |
| Corporate Users | Fewer | Netflix, TikTok, Notion, Nike |
Use Cases
Choose SvelteKit When
- Performance is critical (smaller bundles, faster SSR)
- Building lightweight to medium complexity apps
- Prefer simpler mental model (no virtual DOM)
- Deploying to edge/serverless with bandwidth constraints
- Want built-in state management without external libraries
Choose Next.js When
- Already invested in React ecosystem
- Building large-scale enterprise applications
- Need extensive third-party component libraries
- Deploying primarily on Vercel
- Require ISR (Incremental Static Regeneration)
- Team has React experience
Summary
| Best For | Framework |
|---|---|
| Raw Performance | SvelteKit |
| Bundle Size | SvelteKit |
| Ecosystem | Next.js |
| Enterprise | Next.js |
| Learning Curve | SvelteKit |
| Flexibility (Deployment) | SvelteKit |
| Edge/Serverless | SvelteKit |
| ISR & Caching | Next.js |
Note: Benchmarks from Pau Sanchez SSR Benchmark and BetterStack Comparison. Results may vary based on app complexity.