November 23, 2025 | Coding

NestJS vs Next.js vs Express: How They Work Together

Understanding the differences and when to use each framework

Three Different Tools for Different Jobs

Despite their similar-sounding names, NestJS, Next.js, and Express serve fundamentally different purposes in modern web development. Understanding when to use each—and how they can work together—is crucial for building scalable applications.

NestJS

Backend Framework

Progressive Node.js framework for building efficient, reliable server-side applications with TypeScript and dependency injection.

Next.js

React Framework

Full-stack React framework for building performant web applications with SSR, SSG, and built-in routing.

Express

Minimal Backend

Fast, unopinionated, minimalist web framework for Node.js providing basic server functionality.

Detailed Comparison

NestJS (Backend Framework)

Built on top of Express (or Fastify), NestJS provides a complete backend architecture inspired by Angular. It's designed for enterprise-scale applications.

✅ Strengths

  • • TypeScript-first with decorators
  • • Dependency injection built-in
  • • Modular architecture
  • • Microservices support
  • • GraphQL & WebSocket support
  • • Extensive CLI tools

⚠️ Considerations

  • • Steeper learning curve
  • • More boilerplate code
  • • Overkill for simple APIs
  • • Opinionated structure

Next.js (Full-Stack React Framework)

Next.js is primarily for building React applications with server-side rendering, static site generation, and API routes. It's frontend-focused but includes backend capabilities.

✅ Strengths

  • • Automatic code splitting
  • • Server-side rendering (SSR)
  • • Static site generation (SSG)
  • • File-based routing
  • • API routes for simple backends
  • • Image optimization
  • • Excellent developer experience

⚠️ Considerations

  • • API routes not for complex backends
  • • React ecosystem only
  • • Vercel-optimized (vendor consideration)

Express (Minimal Backend Framework)

Express is the minimalist foundation that many frameworks (including NestJS) build upon. It provides basic HTTP server functionality without opinions on structure.

✅ Strengths

  • • Minimal and flexible
  • • Large middleware ecosystem
  • • Fast to get started
  • • Widely understood/documented
  • • Low overhead

⚠️ Considerations

  • • No structure enforced
  • • Manual TypeScript setup
  • • Scales poorly without discipline
  • • No built-in dependency injection

When to Use Each Framework

Use NestJS when:

  • ✓ Building large, maintainable backends or microservices
  • ✓ Structure and architecture matter
  • ✓ Working with enterprise applications
  • ✓ Need dependency injection and testability
  • ✓ Team is familiar with Angular patterns

Use Next.js when:

  • ✓ Building high-performance React applications
  • ✓ Need SEO optimization and SSR
  • ✓ Want built-in routing and optimization
  • ✓ Simple API routes are sufficient for backend
  • ✓ Prioritizing user experience and page speed

Use Express when:

  • ✓ Building simple APIs or microservices
  • ✓ Need maximum flexibility and control
  • ✓ Want minimal overhead
  • ✓ Prototyping quickly
  • ✓ Learning backend development basics

How They Work Together

These frameworks aren't mutually exclusive—they often work together in modern architectures:

Architecture 1: Next.js + NestJS

Frontend: Next.js handles UI, routing, and SSR
Backend: NestJS provides robust API, business logic, and database access
Best for: Enterprise applications with complex backends

Architecture 2: Next.js + Express

Frontend: Next.js for React application
Backend: Express for simple API endpoints
Best for: Smaller applications or MVPs

Architecture 3: Next.js API Routes Only

Full-stack: Next.js handles both frontend and simple backend
Best for: Serverless deployments, simple CRUD operations

Code Example Comparison

Simple API Endpoint in Each Framework:

// NestJS

@Controller('users')
export class UsersController {
  constructor(private usersService: UsersService) {}
  
  @Get(':id')
  getUser(@Param('id') id: string) {
    return this.usersService.findOne(id);
  }
}

// Next.js API Route

// app/api/users/[id]/route.ts
export async function GET(req, { params }) {
  const user = await findUser(params.id);
  return Response.json(user);
}

// Express

app.get('/users/:id', async (req, res) => {
  const user = await findUser(req.params.id);
  res.json(user);
});

Final Recommendations

  • Small Project: Next.js with API routes or Express for simplicity
  • Medium Project: Next.js frontend + Express backend for flexibility
  • Large/Enterprise: Next.js frontend + NestJS backend for scalability and maintainability
  • Microservices: NestJS excels at building interconnected services
  • Learning: Start with Express or Next.js API routes before jumping to NestJS