react-intl is a framework-agnostic library that can be used with any React application, regardless of the build setup. While it does not provide specific features for Next.js, it is highly flexible and can be integrated into any React project.

next-intl is built specifically for Next.js, providing deep integration with its features like server-side rendering, static site generation, and API routes. This makes it a natural choice for Next.js developers looking for an i18n solution that leverages the framework's capabilities.

react-intl supports server-side rendering, but it requires manual setup to ensure that translations are loaded and rendered correctly on the server. This can add complexity to the implementation.

next-intl offers built-in support for server-side rendering, allowing translations to be rendered on the server before being sent to the client. This improves performance and SEO by ensuring that the initial HTML is fully localized.

react-intl does not include automatic locale detection by default, but it can be implemented manually by detecting the user's locale and passing it to the library. This requires additional coding but allows for greater customization.

next-intl provides automatic locale detection based on the user's browser settings, making it easy to serve the correct language without additional configuration. This feature enhances the user experience by providing localized content out of the box.

react-intl is generally performant, but its flexibility and feature richness can lead to increased bundle size and runtime overhead if not managed carefully. Developers should be mindful of this when using the library in large applications.

next-intl is optimized for performance in Next.js applications, with features like static optimization and minimal runtime overhead. This makes it suitable for large applications where performance is a concern.

react-intl offers a comprehensive API for internationalization, but its complexity can be daunting for beginners. The documentation is extensive, with examples and guides that help developers understand how to use the library effectively. However, the learning curve may be steeper compared to simpler i18n solutions.

next-intl provides a simple and intuitive API for managing translations in Next.js applications. Its documentation is clear, and it offers examples that make it easy to integrate into projects. The library is designed to be developer-friendly, with a focus on reducing complexity while providing powerful features.

React i18n Example with react-intl

import React from 'react';
import { IntlProvider, FormattedMessage } from 'react-intl';

const messages = {
  en: { hello: 'Hello' },
  fr: { hello: 'Bonjour' },
};

const App = () => {
  const [locale, setLocale] = React.useState('en');

  return (
    <IntlProvider locale={locale} messages={messages[locale]}>
      <div>
        <h1><FormattedMessage id="hello" /></h1>
        <button onClick={() => setLocale('fr')}>Switch to French</button>
      </div>
    </IntlProvider>
  );
};

export default App;

Next.js i18n Example with next-intl

// app/i18n.ts
export const messages = {
  en: { hello: 'Hello' },
  fr: { hello: 'Bonjour' },
};

// app/layout.tsx
import { IntlProvider } from 'next-intl';
import { messages } from './i18n';

export default function RootLayout({ children, params }) {
  const locale = params.locale || 'en';
  return (
    <IntlProvider locale={locale} messages={messages[locale]}>
      {children}
    </IntlProvider>
  );
}

// app/page.tsx
export default function Page() {
  return <h1>{intl.formatMessage({ id: 'hello' })}</h1>;
}