Nuxt for client only app
I'm starting to work on a new application. And I wonder if I should actually use Nuxt and I wanted to ask for you opinions. Is it really worth it? Or maybe it is better to stick with pure Vue?
App will be pretty much an internal visualization app, so we don't need server side rendering and SEO befits that come with it. So I'm worried that Nuxt will just add a level of abstraction and complexity that is not really needed. On the other hand the app will be data heavy, so the idea of streamlined data fetching in Nuxt 3 seems promising, but if we will not use server side rendering, does it really make that big of a difference?
I have experience with Nuxt, but actually only with Nuxt 2, since the ecommerce website we are working on in a different project is just stuck there and we have hard time migrating. So I'm actually not sure how Nuxt 3 will pan out. What do you think?
5 Replies
Hi @Gumaa. I'm kapa.ai, your friendly support bot. I will try to answer your question by searching through the knowledge base. :wave:
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Absolutely, you can use Nuxt for a client-only (SPA) application, and there are some compelling reasons to do so—even if you don’t need SSR or SEO benefits.
Why use Nuxt for a client-only app?
- SPA Mode Support: Nuxt 3 allows you to fully disable SSR by setting
If you already have experience with Nuxt and appreciate its conventions, using Nuxt 3 for a client-only app is a solid choice. It won’t add unnecessary complexity if you disable SSR, and you’ll still benefit from its streamlined development experience and data-fetching utilities. For internal, data-heavy apps, this can be a real productivity boost. If you want to see a practical example and more discussion, check out this video on building a plain SPA with Nuxt and the Nuxt documentation on client-side rendering. ---------------------- Note: you can ask me a follow up question by @ mentioning me again :speech_balloon: ----------------------
ssr: false in your nuxt.config.ts. This makes Nuxt behave like a traditional Vue SPA, and you can even optimize your static output to just a single index.html (plus optional 200.html and 404.html for static hosting) if you wish. This is well-supported and documented in Nuxt 3, and you can find guides and even video walkthroughs on building plain SPAs with Nuxt see: Building a plain SPA with Nuxt, Nuxt Docs: Client-Side Rendering.
- Developer Experience: Even in SPA mode, you benefit from Nuxt’s conventions: file-based routing, auto-imports, code splitting, and TypeScript support out of the box. This can speed up development and reduce boilerplate compared to a pure Vue setup, where you’d need to configure these features yourself Nuxt Docs: Introduction.
- Streamlined Data Fetching: Nuxt 3’s data fetching composables (useFetch, useAsyncData) are still useful in client-only mode. You can configure them to fetch data only on the client (with server: false), and they provide a consistent API for handling loading and error states. This can be especially helpful in a data-heavy app, even without SSR Nuxt Docs: Client-only fetching.
- No Unnecessary Complexity: If you disable SSR, Nuxt won’t add server-side complexity. You can keep your app as simple as a Vue SPA, but with the added benefits of Nuxt’s ecosystem and tooling Nuxt Docs: Client-Side Rendering.
When might you prefer pure Vue?
- If you want absolute minimal tooling and configuration, and don’t need any of Nuxt’s conventions or features.
- If you have a highly custom setup or want to avoid any abstraction.
Summary:If you already have experience with Nuxt and appreciate its conventions, using Nuxt 3 for a client-only app is a solid choice. It won’t add unnecessary complexity if you disable SSR, and you’ll still benefit from its streamlined development experience and data-fetching utilities. For internal, data-heavy apps, this can be a real productivity boost. If you want to see a practical example and more discussion, check out this video on building a plain SPA with Nuxt and the Nuxt documentation on client-side rendering. ---------------------- Note: you can ask me a follow up question by @ mentioning me again :speech_balloon: ----------------------
<@453886256506601474> Kapa.ai is still learning and improving, please let me know how I did by reacting below.
@kapa.ai what about more nuance things like support for example for modules and plugins? Should I expect all of them to work perfectly fine with client only approach? I would expect them to be built with SSR in mind, so I'm kinda worried about that as well.
Let me check the knowledge base for you again. One moment! :books:
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Your concern is valid—while Nuxt modules and plugins are generally designed to work in both SSR and client-only (SPA) modes, there are some nuances to be aware of:
- Module Compatibility: Nuxt 3 modules should ideally work in both SSR and client-only modes. However, some modules (especially those originally built for Nuxt 2 or with SSR-specific features) may assume a server environment or rely on SSR hooks. The Nuxt 3 migration guide for module authors specifically notes that modules should avoid runtime hooks and server middleware that only make sense in SSR, and instead use build-time features or runtimeConfig for compatibility. If a module tries to use server-only features, it may not function as expected in a client-only app. Testing modules in your specific setup is recommended, and you may need to check if the module is Nuxt 3-ready or has been updated for SPA compatibility Nuxt 3 Module Migration Guide.
- Plugin Compatibility: Plugins that depend on SSR-specific APIs or lifecycle hooks may not work as intended in client-only mode. The migration guide also highlights that Nuxt 3 plugins are not fully backward compatible with Nuxt 2, and plugins using the Composition API need to be compatible with Vue 3. If a plugin is designed to run only on the server, it may need to be conditionally loaded or refactored for client-only use Nuxt 3 Module Migration Guide.
- Best Practices: For maximum compatibility, use modules and plugins that are explicitly marked as Nuxt 3 compatible. Avoid modules that require server middleware or SSR-only hooks unless you are certain they degrade gracefully in SPA mode. If you encounter issues, check the module/plugin documentation or community for SPA support.
In summary:
Most Nuxt 3 modules and plugins should work in client-only mode, but you may encounter issues with those that assume SSR or server middleware. Always verify compatibility, especially for third-party or legacy modules, and consult the Nuxt 3 module migration guide for best practices and troubleshooting. ---------------------- Note: you can ask me a follow up question by @ mentioning me again :speech_balloon: ----------------------
Most Nuxt 3 modules and plugins should work in client-only mode, but you may encounter issues with those that assume SSR or server middleware. Always verify compatibility, especially for third-party or legacy modules, and consult the Nuxt 3 module migration guide for best practices and troubleshooting. ---------------------- Note: you can ask me a follow up question by @ mentioning me again :speech_balloon: ----------------------
<@453886256506601474> Kapa.ai is still learning and improving, please let me know how I did by reacting below.