EngineeringJanuary 28, 20269 min read

React Server Components: A Practical Guide for 2026

Server Components have changed how we think about React. Here's a practical, no-jargon guide to understanding and using them effectively.

Siya Maharjan

Frontend Developer

React Server Components: A Practical Guide for 2026

What Are Server Components?

React Server Components (RSC) let you render components on the server, sending only the HTML to the browser. The result? Faster initial loads, smaller JavaScript bundles, and better SEO.

Server vs. Client Components

Server Components (default in Next.js):

Render on the server

Can access databases and file systems directly

Don't add to your JavaScript bundle

Perfect for static or data-heavy content

Client Components (marked with "use client"):

Render in the browser

Handle interactivity (clicks, forms, state)

Required for hooks like useState, useEffect

Best for dynamic, interactive UI elements

When to Use What

Use Server Components for:

Page layouts and wrappers

Data fetching and display

Content that doesn't need interactivity

SEO-critical content

Use Client Components for:

Interactive forms and inputs

Animations and transitions

Real-time features

Anything needing browser APIs

Best Practices

Start with Server Components: Default to server, only add "use client" when needed

Push client boundaries down: Keep client components as small and low in the tree as possible

Use composition: Pass server-rendered content as children to client components

Cache aggressively: Server components are great candidates for caching

Think in layers: Server for data, client for interactivity

Performance Gains

In our testing at Appkeed, switching to Server Components reduced our initial JavaScript bundle by 40% and improved LCP by 1.2 seconds. The impact is real.

Start Experimenting

If you're using Next.js, you're already using Server Components by default. Start paying attention to where you add "use client" — less is usually more.

ReactNext.jsServer ComponentsEngineering

Siya Maharjan

Frontend Developer at Appkeed

Passionate about building great products and sharing knowledge with the community.

Keep Reading

View all