Rendering strategies in web development have evolved, offering different trade-offs between performance, SEO, interactivity, and complexity. In this guide, we explore the key differences between Multi-Page Applications (MPA), Single-Page Applications (SPA), SPA-influenced Isomorphic approaches, and MPA influenced Split Execution with visuals, code examples, and diagrams.
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.
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.