Can Next.js be used only as a frontend?

Next.js can, and often is, used only as a frontend - with an external backend (REST / GraphQL / gRPC). Having fullstack capabilities does not require using them.

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#How Next.js works as a pure frontend

In this scenario, Next.js acts as:

• the UI layer (React)
• routing
• SEO rendering
• performance optimization

While all business logic and data live in an external backend:

• NestJS
• Spring
• Laravel
• any API

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#Typical scheme

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#How exactly to use Next.js only as a frontend

#1. Requests to an external API

• fetch() to a third-party backend
• data arrives already prepared

#2. SSR / SSG without your own logic

• the server renders the page
• but takes data from an external API

#3. Client Components for interactivity

• forms
• buttons
• state
• client-side validation

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#When this is an excellent choice

there is a ready backend microservice architecture a strict boundary of responsibility complex domain logic high load

Next.js = BFF / UI layer

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#When this is not worth doing

a simple site or MVP a small application no separate backend team

Here, Next.js's fullstack capabilities will speed up development.

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#Important point

Even in "frontend only" mode, you still get:

• SSR / SSG / ISR
• SEO
• routing
• image optimization
• code splitting

That is, more than a regular React SPA.

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#Short interview answer

Yes, Next.js can be used only as a frontend. In this case, it acts as a UI layer with SSR/SSG and SEO, while all business logic and data are handled in an external backend.