I've been running a SaaS on Next.js + GraphQL for 4.5 years now, sticking to Pages router has eliminated most of the complexity.
I recently rewrote my auth to use better-auth (as a separate service), which has allowed me to start moving entirely off Next.js (looking at either React Router 7 or Tanstack Router).
Back when I started, Next.js made server side rendering incredibly easy, but it turns out I didn't need it. My marketing site is entirely static, and my app is entirely client rendered.
I also use next and use the pages router. Makes for a development friendly react front end.
And I have some use cases where I want to have a headless crm/api “hidden” behind the front end. So in these cases using next as a backend proxy works well for me.
I regret “upgrading” my personal site to app router. Big mistake esp for is an almost purely static site.
Sadly tan stacks releases a new version every other day and react router was complete 5 versions ago but cannot seem to keep changing the api to stay relevant in the never ending js relevancy ending war.
I would recommend React Router over Tanstack. I tried both and RR was so much easier and more reliable.
Tanstack seems to be following Next.js in that they’re just over complicating everything and their docs felt lacking for the most of their features.
I've only ever used Tan's React-Query and I absolutely love it inside of a React codebase.
https://tanstack.com/query/v5/docs/framework/react/overview
Why're trying to move off next? What makes the opportunity cost worth it?
Looking for full control over where the frontend is hosted. Sure, I can run Next.js elsewhere, but I could also run React Router elsewhere and have a much better overall experience in the process.
Hm could you explain further? Why is React Router going to lead to a better experience?
You don't understand why being able to freely pick your vendors might lead to a better experience?