STSS↗︎-72.2986%
MIST↗︎-60.8889%
WOLF↗︎-52.0446%
LGMK↗︎-50.1961%
XTIA↗︎-50.0%
ICON↗︎-48.0%
LKCO↗︎-46.3576%
DRCT↗︎-45.1278%
SBEV↗︎-45.0%
CCGWW↗︎-42.9769%
MSSAR↗︎-41.9795%
COOTW↗︎-40.8571%
COEPW↗︎-39.3939%
RCT↗︎-38.2051%
CYCUW↗︎-37.5%
AGMH↗︎-36.6091%
MOBBW↗︎-33.8636%
ECX↗︎-33.6283%
TDTH↗︎-33.5412%
FGIWW↗︎-33.3778%
STSS↘︎-72.2986%
MIST↘︎-60.8889%
WOLF↘︎-52.0446%
LGMK↘︎-50.1961%
XTIA↘︎-50.0%
ICON↘︎-48.0%
LKCO↘︎-46.3576%
DRCT↘︎-45.1278%
SBEV↘︎-45.0%
CCGWW↘︎-42.9769%
MSSAR↘︎-41.9795%
COOTW↘︎-40.8571%
COEPW↘︎-39.3939%
RCT↘︎-38.2051%
CYCUW↘︎-37.5%
AGMH↘︎-36.6091%
MOBBW↘︎-33.8636%
ECX↘︎-33.6283%
TDTH↘︎-33.5412%
FGIWW↘︎-33.3778%

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Data Fetching in Next.js: GetStaticProps vs. GetServerSideProps - When to Use What

Data Fetching in Next.js: GetStaticProps vs. GetServerSideProps - When to Use What

This article explores the key differences between GetStaticProps and GetServerSideProps in Next.js, two powerful data fetching methods. It will help developers understand when to use each method based on factors like data freshness, performance, and build times. By the end, readers will have a clearer perspective on how to optimize their Next.js applications for both static and dynamic content rendering.

Published: March 3, 2025 at 5:41 PM UTC

Understanding Data Fetching in Next.js
Next.js, a popular React framework, offers various methods for data fetching, two of the most powerful being GetStaticProps and GetServerSideProps. These methods allow developers to pre-render pages, enhancing performance and SEO. This article delves into the key differences between these two techniques, helping developers choose the right one for their applications.
GetStaticProps: Static Site Generation
GetStaticProps enables Static Site Generation (SSG). It allows developers to fetch data at build time, generating static HTML files for each page. This method is ideal for content that does not change often, such as blog posts or marketing pages. Because the pages are pre-rendered, they load quickly, leading to improved performance and better SEO since search engines can index the static pages easily.
```
export async function getStaticProps() {
  const data = await fetch('https://api.example.com/data');
  const jsonData = await data.json();

  return {
    props: { jsonData }, // Will be passed to the page component as props
  };
}
```
GetServerSideProps: Server-Side Rendering
GetServerSideProps, on the other hand, enables Server-Side Rendering (SSR). This method fetches data on each request, making it suitable for content that changes frequently or needs to be up-to-date with every page request. Although SSR delivers fresh content, it can lead to slower page loads compared to SSG, especially if the server response time is delayed.
```
export async function getServerSideProps(context) {
  const data = await fetch('https://api.example.com/data');
  const jsonData = await data.json();

  return {
    props: { jsonData }, // Will be passed to the page component as props
  };
}
```
Comparing Performance and Freshness
When deciding between GetStaticProps and GetServerSideProps, performance and data freshness are key considerations. GetStaticProps excels in scenarios where speed and performance are crucial. Since pages are pre-rendered and served from a CDN, they load quickly. Conversely, GetServerSideProps ensures users always see the most current data, which is vital for applications that rely on real-time updates, such as dashboards or e-commerce sites.
When to Use Each Method
Choosing between these data fetching strategies depends largely on the specific needs of the application. Use GetStaticProps for:
1. Marketing pages
2. Blogs or documentation sites where content is static or updated infrequently
3. Applications where performance and SEO are critical.
Use GetServerSideProps for:
1. User dashboards with dynamic data
2. Applications requiring real-time content,
3. Pages where user input can change the output frequently, such as search results or filters.
Optimizing Next.js Applications
To optimize Next.js applications effectively, developers should assess the nature of their content. For static content, leverage GetStaticProps to benefit from fast loading times and improved SEO. For dynamic content, adopt GetServerSideProps to ensure data freshness. Knowing when to apply these methods will ultimately enhance user experience and application performance.