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Multi-Page Applications (MPA)

MPAs reload the page on every navigation.
MPA Light Diagram Pros:
  • Simple architecture.
  • Full HTML is delivered on first load.
  • When pages are mostly static, they can be effectively cached and delivered by a CDN.
Cons:
  • Navigation is slower due to full page reloads.
  • Dynamic updates require complete page refreshes.

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Single-Page Applications (SPA)

SPAs load content dynamically on the client. This means the initial HTML is essentially empty.
  • Diagram
  • React Diagram
  • Code
SPA Light Diagram
Pros:
  • Fast in-page navigation.
  • Dynamic interactivity.
Cons:
  • Minimal initial HTML.
  • Heavy reliance on client-side JavaScript.

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SPA-influenced Isomorphic

Initial HTML is rendered on the server for SEO and fast first paint, then hydrated on the client to enable interactivity.
  • Diagram
  • React Diagram
  • Code
SPA ISO Light Diagram
Pros:
  • SEO-friendly full HTML is delivered initially.
Cons:
  • Requires coordination between client and server.
  • More complex setup.

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MPA-influenced Split Execution

Mostly/Fully HTML rendered on the server using server actions.
  • Diagram
  • React Diagram
  • Code
MPA Split Light Diagram
Pros:
  • CDN-friendly HTML delivery.
  • Minimal client-side code.
  • Excellent SEO.
Cons:
  • Client-side interactivity may require additional handling.
  • Increased server CPU consumption.

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📊 Rendering Strategy Comparison

PropertyMPASPASPA IsomorphicMPA Split Execution
SEO Friendly✅❌✅✅
Fast Navigation❌✅✅✅
Interactive Experience❌✅✅✅
CDN Friendly✅❌✅✅
Simple Architecture✅❌❌✅
Lightweight Client JS✅❌✅✅
Low CPU Usage❌✅✅❌
Low Server Costs❌✅❌✅

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🚀 Live Example: NextFaster

To see these rendering strategies in action, check out NextFaster — a real-world project that blends server components, React islands, and split execution for optimal performance and SEO.
What makes NextFaster interesting?
  • ⚙️ React Server Components with minimal client-side JS
  • 🔄 Server Actions and Edge revalidation
  • 💸 Exceptionally low hosting cost while high performance
  • 🔍 Excellent SEO and performance balance
Ideal for studying modern rendering techniques in Next.js 14+ with App Router.

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📚 Further Reading

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🧠 Final Thoughts

Each rendering strategy has its strengths. MPAs are straightforward and, when mostly static, can be effectively cached via a CDN; SPAs deliver dynamic interactivity entirely on the client (resulting in minimal initial HTML); SPA-influenced Isomorphic approaches combine SEO and dynamic updates by server-rendering the initial HTML and hydrating on the client; and MPA influenced Split Execution offers performance with server-handled mutations using server actions.