International Journal of Scientific Research & Engineering Trends

Volume 10, Issue 2, Mar-Apr-2024, ISSN (Online): 2395-566X

A Comparative Review of Server Rendering and Client

Side Rendering in Web Development
Darshan Verma, Parmeshwari Aland
Dept. of Computer Science
Ajeenkya D. Y. Patil University

Abstract- This review paper critically examines the comparative advantages and limitations of two fundamental approaches to
rendering in web development: Server Side Rendering (SSR) and Client Side Rendering (CSR). Rendering efficiency plays a
pivotal role in shaping user experience, making it essential to assess the performance, functionality, and suitability of these
rendering methods. Through an in-depth analysis of key metrics, case studies, and real-world scenarios, this paper aims to
provide valuable insights into the optimal selection of SSR or CSR based on specific project requirements. The significance of
the topic lies in its direct impact on user interaction, accessibility, search engine optimization (SEO) performance, and overall
web application responsiveness. By understanding the distinct characteristics of SSR and CSR, developers can make informed
decisions to enhance the quality and usability of their web applications. The main findings of this review highlight the trade-
offs between SSR and CSR. SSR offers faster initial page load times, improved SEO performance, and broader compatibility
with older devices and browsers. However, it may impose higher server loads and limit interactivity. Conversely, CSR enables
enhanced interactivity, smoother user experiences, and better support for complex interfaces but may result in slower initial
page loads, SEO challenges, and accessibility concerns. (Karan Shah • et al., 2020)

Index Terms-Server-Side Rendering (SSR), Client Side Rendering (CSR), Rendering Efficiency, User Experience, Search
Engine Optimization (SEO), Web Application Responsiveness, Interactivity, Accessibility

I. INTRODUCTION to the client's browser, where JavaScript is used to manipulate

the Document Object Model (DOM) and dynamically update
Rendering in web development encompasses the process of content.
transforming data into visually interpretable content displayed
on users' browsers.It is a fundamental aspect of web Each rendering approach has its unique characteristics and
development, as it directly impacts the user experience by implications for web development. SSR is prized for its ability
determining how quickly and smoothly content is presented to to deliver faster initial page load times, improve search engine
the user. The efficiency of rendering plays a crucial role in optimization (SEO) performance, and ensure broader
ensuring that users can interact seamlessly with web compatibility with older devices and browsers. On the other
applications, making it a central concern for developers. hand, CSR offers enhanced interactivity, smoother user
experiences, and better support for complex user interfaces.
Efficient rendering is essential for delivering a satisfying user However, CSR may result in slower initial page loads, present
experience. Users expect web pages to load quickly and challenges for SEO, and raise concerns regarding
respond promptly to their interactions. Slow or inefficient accessibility.
rendering can lead to frustration, abandonment, and
ultimately, loss of engagement. Therefore, optimizing The purpose of this review is to comprehensively compare
rendering efficiency is paramount for developers seeking to and contrast SSR and CSR in the context of web development.
create responsive, user-friendly web applications. By examining the advantages, limitations, and performance
implications of each approach, this review aims to provide
In the realm of rendering, two primary approaches dominate developers with actionable insights for selecting the most
the landscape: Server Side Rendering (SSR) and Client Side suitable rendering method based on specific project
Rendering (CSR). SSR involves generating HTML on the requirements. Additionally, this review will explore real-world
server and sending a fully rendered page to the client's case studies and discuss implementation considerations, future
browser. In contrast, CSR delegates rendering responsibilities trends, and challenges in rendering technologies, thereby
offering a comprehensive resource for developers seeking to

© 2024 IJSRET
521
 International Journal of Scientific Research & Engineering Trends
Volume 10, Issue 2, Mar-Apr-2024, ISSN (Online): 2395-566X

optimize rendering efficiency and enhance user experiences in compared to CSR, where rendering is performed on the client-
their web applications. side. This increased server load may require additional
(Dude, S. (2023a) Choosing between server-side rendering resources to handle concurrent requests, leading to higher
(SSR) and client-side rendering (CSR) in JavaScript: A..., infrastructure costs and potential scalability challenges.
Medium.
Limited Interactivity and Dynamic Content
II. SERVER-SIDE RENDERING (SSR) SSR is well-suited for delivering static or semi-dynamic
content, but it may struggle to provide the same level of
Server Side Rendering (SSR) is a technique in web interactivity and dynamic updates as CSR. This limitation
development where the server generates the HTML content of stems from the fact that once a webpage is rendered on the
a webpage and sends a fully rendered page to the client's server and sent to the client, any subsequent updates or
browser. Unlike Client Side Rendering (CSR), where interactions typically require additional server requests,
rendering is performed on the client-side using JavaScript, leading to slower response times and a less fluid user
SSR pre-renders the content on the server before sending it to experience.
the user's browser. This means that when a user requests a
webpage, they receive a fully formed HTML document rather Dude, S. (2023). Choosing between server-side rendering
than an empty shell that requires client-side processing. (SSR) and client-side rendering (CSR) in JavaScript: A....
(Mukhamadiev, Aidar. "Transitioning from server-side to Medium.
client-side rendering of the web-based user interface: a
performance perspective." (2018).) Case studies or examples demonstrating effective use of SSR:
Netflix
Advantages of SSR Netflix utilizes SSR to improve the initial load times of its
Faster Initial Page Load Times streaming platform. By pre-rendering the homepage content
SSR significantly reduces the time it takes for a webpage to on the server and delivering it to users' browsers, Netflix
become interactive by delivering pre-rendered content directly ensures that users can quickly access movie recommendations
to the client's browser. Since the HTML is generated on the and search for content without experiencing significant
server, users can see meaningful content sooner, leading to delays.
faster perceived load times and improved overall user
experience. Netflix JavaScript Talks - Performance Signup in React &
Transactional Apps with Redux
Improved SEO Performance
Search engines rely on the HTML content of webpages to Osmani, A. (2018). A Netflix web performance case study.
index and rank them in search results. SSR ensures that search Medium. https://medium.com/dev-channel/a-netflix-web-
engine crawlers receive fully rendered HTML content, making performance-case-study-c0bcde26a9d9
it easier for them to crawl, index, and understand the content
of a webpage. This can result in better search engine visibility 2. LinkedIn
and improved SEO performance for websites utilizing SSR. LinkedIn employs SSR to enhance SEO performance and
ensure that its content is easily discoverable by search
Better Support for Older Devices and Browsers engines. By pre-rendering profile pages, job listings, and other
SSR provides broader compatibility with older devices and critical content on the server, LinkedIn maximizes its visibility
browsers that may have limited support for modern JavaScript in search engine results pages (SERPs) and attracts more
features or lack sufficient processing power to handle client- organic traffic to its platform.
side rendering efficiently. By pre-rendering content on the
server, SSR ensures that users with older devices or browsers Source: https://www.linkedin.com/blog/engineering/product-
can still access and interact with webpages effectively. design/render-models-at-linkedin

(Jartarghar, Harish A., et al. "React apps with Server-Side 3. E-commerce websites
rendering: Next. js." Journal of Telecommunication, Many e-commerce websites leverage SSR to deliver product
Electronic and Computer Engineering (JTEC) 14.4 (2022): listings, category pages, and checkout flows with minimal
25-29.) latency. By pre-rendering product information and pricing on
the server, e-commerce platforms ensure that users can
Limitations of SSR browse, search, and purchase products efficiently, leading to
Increased Server Load higher conversion rates and customer satisfaction.
Since SSR involves generating HTML content on the server
for each user request, it can impose a higher load on the server

© 2024 IJSRET
522
 International Journal of Scientific Research & Engineering Trends
Volume 10, Issue 2, Mar-Apr-2024, ISSN (Online): 2395-566X

Source: https://www.netlify.com/blog/improve-e-commerce- Limitations of CSR

site-performance-with-rendering-strategies/ In the evolving landscape of web development, the debate
between Server-Side Rendering (SSR) and Client-Side
(Alam-Naylor, S. (2023). Improve e-commerce site Rendering (CSR) continues to be a focal point for both
performance with rendering strategies. Netlify. practitioners and researchers. A comparative analysis by
https://www.netlify.com/blog/improve-e-commerce-site- Iskandar, Lubis, and Fabrianti (2020) in their study
performance-with-rendering-strategies/) "Comparison between client-side and server-side rendering in
the web development" published in the IOP Conference
These case studies demonstrate how SSR can be effectively Series: Materials Science and Engineering, delves into the
used to improve page load times, enhance SEO performance, technical performance of SSR and CSR. Their findings
and deliver a seamless user experience in various web indicate that SSR generally offers better performance metrics
applications and industries. such as faster First Contentful Paint and Speed Index,
contributing to improved SEO visibility due to server-side
III. CLIENT SIDE RENDERING (CSR) content generation. This study underscores the importance of
selecting the appropriate rendering method based on the
Client Side Rendering (CSR) is a web development approach technical requirements and objectives of a web development
where rendering is performed on the client's browser using project, highlighting SSR's advantages in scenarios
JavaScript. Instead of receiving a fully rendered HTML page demanding quick loading times and enhanced SEO
from the server, the client's browser receives a minimal performance (Iskandar, Lubis, and Fabrianti).
HTML document along with JavaScript code that dynamically
generates and updates the content on the page. This approach Furthermore, the research conducted by the authors in the
allows for greater flexibility and interactivity in web same study explores the scalability and flexibility of SSR and
applications, as content can be updated dynamically without CSR, revealing that while SSR can impose additional load on
requiring full page reloads. servers, potentially affecting performance under high traffic
volumes, CSR offers dynamic interaction and reduced server
Advantages of CSR load benefits. This dynamic interaction facilitated by CSR is
Enhanced Interactivity particularly beneficial for web applications requiring frequent
CSR enables highly interactive web applications where user content updates and real-time user engagement. However, the
actions trigger dynamic updates to the content without the study also points out the SEO and accessibility challenges
need for full page reloads. This results in a more engaging and associated with CSR, noting that search engine crawlers may
responsive user experience, as users can interact with the struggle to index dynamically generated content, and users
application seamlessly and see immediate feedback to their with disabilities might face difficulties interacting with CSR-
actions. based applications (Iskandar, Lubis, and Fabrianti).

Smooth User Experience after Initial Load The discourse on web accessibility and its impact on SEO
Once the initial page load is complete and the necessary further complements the discussion on rendering methods. A
JavaScript assets are downloaded, subsequent interactions study highlighted on Hurix Digital's blog, "The Impact of
with the application can be handled locally on the client's Accessibility on SEO: Why It Matters in 2024," emphasizes
browser. This leads to smoother transitions between pages and the symbiotic relationship between web accessibility and
faster response times, enhancing overall user satisfaction and SEO. By improving accessibility, websites can enhance user
retention. experience for a broader audience, including those with
disabilities, leading to increased organic traffic and lower
Better Support for Complex User Interfaces bounce rates. This study aligns with the limitations of CSR,
CSR is well-suited for building complex user interfaces with suggesting that integrating accessibility best practices can
rich interactive elements and dynamic content. Since mitigate some of the challenges posed by client-side
rendering is performed on the client-side, developers have rendering, thereby improving a website's overall performance
greater control over the presentation and behavior of the UI, and search engine ranking (Hurix Digital).
allowing for more sophisticated and visually appealing
designs. These academic insights provide a comprehensive backdrop to
the ongoing evaluation of SSR and CSR, offering a nuanced
(Benevity. What Are the Top Seven Benefits of Having a understanding of their respective advantages, limitations, and
Corporate Social Responsibility Program? the critical role of web accessibility in optimizing web
https://benevity.com/why-benevity) development practices for improved user experience and SEO
outcomes.

© 2024 IJSRET
523
 International Journal of Scientific Research & Engineering Trends
Volume 10, Issue 2, Mar-Apr-2024, ISSN (Online): 2395-566X

Slower Initial Page Load Times property details, and book stays without page reloads. By
Unlike Server Side Rendering (SSR), where the server rendering search results and property listings dynamically on
generates a fully rendered HTML page and sends it to the the client-side, Airbnb delivers a fast and intuitive user
client, CSR requires the client's browser to download experience that encourages exploration and booking.
JavaScript assets and render the page dynamically. This can (Gavino, J. (2023). SSR vs CSR: Which rendering option
result in slower initial page load times, especially on slower boosts performance? Hey reliable. https://heyreliable.com/ssr-
network connections or devices with limited processing vs-csr-which-rendering-option-boosts-performance/)
power.
These case studies demonstrate how CSR can be effectively
SEO Challenges used to create highly interactive, responsive, and visually
Search engine crawlers may have difficulty parsing and engaging web applications that meet the needs of modern
indexing content that is dynamically generated by JavaScript. users. While CSR offers numerous benefits for building
Since CSR relies heavily on client-side rendering, the initial dynamic user interfaces, developers must also be mindful of
HTML document sent by the server may contain minimal potential challenges such as slower initial page load times,
content, making it harder for search engines to crawl and SEO considerations, and accessibility concerns.
index the page effectively. This can impact the discoverability
and ranking of the webpage in search engine results. IV. RESULT AND DISCUSSION
Accessibility Concerns Factors influencing the choice between SSR and CSR:
CSR can pose challenges for users with disabilities or In the realm of web development, the choice between Server-
assistive technologies, as dynamic content updates may not be Side Rendering (SSR) and Client-Side Rendering (CSR) is
properly communicated or navigable. Elements that rely on pivotal, influenced by various factors including project
JavaScript for interactivity may not be accessible to users who requirements, development team expertise, target audience
rely on screen readers or keyboard navigation, potentially and devices, as well as SEO and accessibility requirements.
excluding a portion of the user base from accessing the These academic papers delves into insights from various
application. sources that shed light on these considerations, providing a
comprehensive understanding of the implications of SSR and
(Gavino, J. (2023). SSR vs CSR: Which rendering option CSR in web development.
boosts performance? Hey Reliable.
https://heyreliable.com/ssr-vs-csr-which-rendering-option- Iskandar, Lubis, and Fabrianti conducted a technical
boosts-performance/) comparison between SSR and CSR, focusing on performance
metrics such as First Contentful Paint, Speed Index, Time to
(Habibi, D. (2023). Inclusive Seo Best Practices: Ensuring Interactive, and SEO optimization. Their study revealed that
Web Accessibility for People with Disabilities. LinkedIn.) SSR generally offers better performance with faster loading
times and improved SEO visibility due to its server-side
Case studies demonstrating effective use of CSR: content generation. This aligns with the notion that content-
Google Maps heavy or SEO-sensitive projects may benefit more from SSR.
Google Maps utilizes CSR to provide a highly interactive The research underscores the importance of considering the
mapping experience where users can pan, zoom, and interact technical aspects and the nature of the project when choosing
with map layers in real-time. By rendering map tiles and between SSR and CSR ("Comparison between client-side and
overlays dynamically on the client-side, Google Maps delivers server-side rendering in the web development," Iskandar,
a smooth and responsive user experience across desktop and Lubis, and Fabrianti).
mobile devices.
Furthermore, Lyxell explored the benefits of SSR in React-
Gmail based web applications, particularly in scenarios requiring
Gmail employs CSR to create a dynamic email interface improved performance on specific hardware specifications
where users can compose, read, and manage emails without and enhanced search engine optimization. This study
page refreshes. By using JavaScript to update the inbox and highlights the significance of development team expertise, as
email content dynamically, Gmail provides a seamless user SSR implementation can be complex and may necessitate a
experience that feels more like a desktop application than a thorough understanding of server-side technologies. Lyxell's
traditional webpage. research suggests that SSR becomes beneficial in projects
where these factors are critical, thereby supporting the
Airbnb argument that the skills and familiarity of the development
Airbnb leverages CSR to build its search and booking team with SSR and CSR technologies should be a key
platform, allowing users to search for accommodations, view

© 2024 IJSRET
524
 International Journal of Scientific Research & Engineering Trends
Volume 10, Issue 2, Mar-Apr-2024, ISSN (Online): 2395-566X

consideration ("Server-Side Rendering in React: When Does BairesDev. "Server-Side Rendering vs. Client-Side
It Become Beneficial to Your Web Program?," Lyxell). Rendering." BairesDev,

Lastly, the work by Toptal's Guillaume Breux provides an https://www.bairesdev.com/blog/server-side-client-rendering-

insightful comparison of client-side, server-side, and pre- web-development/.
rendering strategies, emphasizing the impact on user Krusche & Company. "SSR or CSR - what is better for
experience and SEO. Breux's analysis points out that while Progressive Web App?" KruscheCompany,
CSR offers greater flexibility and control, making it appealing
for teams with strong JavaScript expertise, it may introduce https://kruschecompany.com/ssr-or-csr-for-progressive-web-
challenges in SEO and accessibility. This reinforces the need app/.
to weigh SEO and accessibility requirements heavily in the
decision-making process, especially for projects aiming for Hey Reliable. "SSR vs CSR: Which Rendering Option Boosts
high search engine visibility and inclusivity ("Client-side vs. Performance?" Hey Reliable, https://heyreliable.com/ssr-vs-
Server-side vs. Pre-rendering for Web Apps," Breux). csr-which-rendering-option-boosts-performance/.

In conclusion, technical performance, development team V. STRATEGIES FOR OPTIMIZING SSR AND
expertise, target audience and device compatibility, as well as CSR PERFORMANCE
SEO and accessibility requirements, emerge as critical factors
guiding this decision. These insights provide a valuable In the evolving landscape of web development, the debate
framework for developers seeking to optimize rendering between Server-Side Rendering (SSR) and Client-Side
efficiency and enhance user experiences in their web Rendering (CSR) continues to be a focal point for both
applications. practitioners and researchers. Recent academic and industry
research has delved into optimizing both rendering techniques
1. Project Requirements to enhance web application efficiency. This literature review
The nature of the project, including its complexity, content synthesizes findings from various sources to provide a
dynamics, and performance requirements, plays a significant comprehensive understanding of strategies for optimizing
role in determining whether SSR or CSR is more suitable. SSR and CSR performance.
Projects with a high degree of interactivity and dynamic
content updates may lean towards CSR, while content-heavy For SSR optimization, a study highlighted in the Spartacus
or SEO-sensitive projects may benefit more from SSR. Documentation by SAP discusses advanced configuration
options for SSR, focusing on improving performance through
2. Development Team Expertise caching strategies and concurrency management. The research
The skills and familiarity of the development team with SSR suggests configuring cache size, time-to-live (TTL) settings,
and CSR technologies should be considered. Teams proficient and concurrency limits to manage server load effectively and
in server-side technologies such as Node.js may find SSR enhance content delivery speed. By fine-tuning these
easier to implement, whereas teams with strong JavaScript parameters, developers can significantly reduce server
expertise may prefer CSR for its flexibility and control. response times and improve the scalability of SSR
applications. The study emphasizes the importance of a
3. Target Audience and Devices balanced approach to SSR optimization, ensuring that server
Understanding the characteristics of the target audience and resources are utilized efficiently without compromising user
their devices is crucial for selecting the appropriate rendering experience ("Server-Side Rendering Optimization." Spartacus
approach. Devices with limited processing power or older Documentation, SAP).
browsers may perform better with SSR, while modern devices
with robust JavaScript support can handle CSR more On the CSR front, Anh T. Dang's article on "Best Techniques
effectively. for Client-Side Optimization" presents a comprehensive guide
to improving client-side code performance. Dang's research
4. SEO and Accessibility Requirements advocates for minimizing HTTP requests, employing file
Projects with a strong emphasis on search engine visibility minification and compression, and leveraging browser
and accessibility should prioritize SSR, as it ensures that caching to speed up CSR applications. Additionally, the article
content is readily available to search engine crawlers and discusses the benefits of lazy loading and code splitting as
assistive technologies. CSR may present challenges for SEO effective strategies to reduce initial load times and enhance
and accessibility, particularly when content updates are not application responsiveness. Dang's findings underscore the
communicated effectively to search engines or users with critical role of client-side optimizations in delivering a
disabilities. seamless user experience, particularly for dynamic and

© 2024 IJSRET
525
 International Journal of Scientific Research & Engineering Trends
Volume 10, Issue 2, Mar-Apr-2024, ISSN (Online): 2395-566X

interactive web applications ("Best Techniques for Client-Side for SSR, making it easier for developers to implement and
Optimization." Plain English, Dang, Anh T.). optimize SSR in their projects.

Furthermore, the Diva Portal's PDF on "Comparisons of For CSR, popular JavaScript libraries and frameworks like
Server-side Rendering and Client-side Rendering" provides React, Vue.js, and Angular offer robust support for building
empirical data on the performance differences between SSR dynamic and interactive user interfaces. These libraries
and CSR. The study conducts performance testing on various provide tools and utilities for managing state, handling
web layouts, revealing that SSR generally offers faster Largest routing, and optimizing performance in CSR applications.
Contentful Paint (LCP) times compared to CSR, especially
under network slowdown conditions. However, the research When choosing a framework or library for SSR or CSR,
also notes the potential server load challenges associated with developers should consider factors such as community
SSR and suggests that the choice between SSR and CSR support, documentation, performance, and compatibility with
should consider factors such as network speed and website project requirements. Additionally, frameworks that offer
complexity. This comparative analysis offers valuable insights server-side rendering capabilities out of the box can
into the trade-offs between SSR and CSR, guiding developers streamline the development process and help developers focus
in selecting the most appropriate rendering technique based on on building features rather than infrastructure.
specific project requirements ("Comparisons of Server-side
Rendering and Client-side Rendering." Diva Portal). By carefully evaluating these implementation considerations
and employing appropriate strategies for optimizing
These studies collectively contribute to a deeper performance, developers can effectively leverage SSR and
understanding of SSR and CSR optimization strategies. By CSR to create responsive, engaging, and accessible web
implementing recommended practices such as caching, code applications that meet the needs of their users and project
splitting, and lazy loading, developers can enhance web requirements.
application performance, improve SEO rankings, and deliver a
superior user experience. VI. FUTURE TRENDS AND CHALLENGES
SSR Optimization 1. Emerging Technologies and Approaches in Rendering
 Minimize server-side rendering time by optimizing In the academic dissertation "On the Comparison of Software
server-side code, reducing database queries, and caching Quality Attributes for Client-side and Server-side Rendering,"
rendered content where appropriate. Mathias Beke conducts a comprehensive analysis to compare
 Implement lazy loading and code splitting techniques to client-side rendering (CSR) and server-side rendering (SSR)
load only the necessary resources for the initial page based on various software quality attributes. Utilizing a
render, improving performance. survey, a pilot study on self-written web applications, and a
 Utilize server-side caching mechanisms such as CDN case study on existing open-source projects, Beke measures
caching or in-memory caching to serve pre-rendered performance, scalability, development effort, and availability.
content quickly to users. The findings indicate a preference for CSR when prioritizing
server bandwidth, server throughput, next page load times,
CSR Optimization usability, and scalability. Conversely, SSR is favored for
 Minimize JavaScript bundle size through code splitting initial page loads, development effort, search engine
and tree shaking to reduce initial load times and improve optimization, and browser compatibility. This research
performance. provides a decision tree to aid developers in choosing between
 Implement client-side caching strategies to cache the two rendering paradigms based on the identified quality
frequently accessed resources and reduce network attributes (Beke).
requests.
 Optimize JavaScript execution and DOM manipulation Aylar Meredova's thesis "Comparison of Server-Side
for smoother user interactions and reduced rendering Rendering Capabilities of React and Vue" examines the SSR
latency. capabilities of the front-end frameworks React and Vue.
Employing a qualitative research method, including a
Compatibility with modern web development frameworks and literature review and interviews with web developers and
libraries: organizations, Meredova analyzes and compares the features
Both SSR and CSR can be implemented using a variety of and performance of both frameworks. The thesis offers
modern web development frameworks and libraries. insights and recommendations for developers and
Frameworks such as Next.js (for React), Nuxt.js (for Vue.js), organizations to select the most suitable SSR framework
and Angular Universal (for Angular) provide built-in support based on their specific requirements, resources, and goals
(Meredova).

© 2024 IJSRET
526
 International Journal of Scientific Research & Engineering Trends
Volume 10, Issue 2, Mar-Apr-2024, ISSN (Online): 2395-566X

Furthermore, the paper "Comparison between client-side and Client-side Optimization Techniques
server-side rendering in the web development" from the IOP Advancements in browser technologies and JavaScript
Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering engines may lead to improved client-side rendering
analyzes the technical aspects of CSR and SSR in terms of performance and efficiency. Techniques such as code splitting,
performance metrics such as First Contentful Paint, Speed lazy loading, and differential loading can help reduce
Index, and Time to Interactive. The study concludes that SSR JavaScript bundle sizes and improve load times in CSR
provides better performance based on these metrics and offers applications.
improved results in Google Audits, including performance,
accessibility, best practices, and SEO. This paper contributes Challenges such as balancing performance with complexity
to the understanding of the technical trade-offs between CSR and maintaining compatibility across platforms:
and SSR and their impact on web application development Performance vs. Complexity
(Iskandar et al.). As web applications become more feature-rich and dynamic,
developers face the challenge of balancing performance with
These academic insights provide a foundation for complexity. Implementing advanced rendering techniques like
understanding the current state of rendering technologies in SSR and CSR can enhance performance but may also
web development. They highlight the importance of introduce complexity in development and maintenance.
considering various factors when choosing between SSR and Finding the right balance between performance optimizations
CSR and offer guidance on optimizing web application and development complexity is crucial for delivering high-
performance. As the field continues to evolve, emerging quality web applications.
technologies like hybrid rendering, incremental rendering, and
WebAssembly are poised to address the challenges and Cross-platform Compatibility
leverage the strengths of both SSR and CSR, potentially Ensuring compatibility across different platforms, devices,
leading to more efficient and user-friendly web applications. and browsers remains a challenge for web developers. SSR
and CSR approaches may behave differently on various
Hybrid Rendering platforms, leading to inconsistencies in user experience.
A blend of SSR and CSR techniques, hybrid rendering aims to Developers need to adopt best practices for cross-platform
combine the benefits of both approaches to optimize development, including responsive design, progressive
performance and user experience. This approach dynamically enhancement, and thorough testing across a wide range of
switches between SSR and CSR based on factors such as devices and browsers.
device capabilities, network conditions, and user interactions.
SEO and Accessibility
Incremental Rendering While SSR generally offers better support for SEO and
Incremental rendering involves rendering content in smaller, accessibility compared to CSR, both approaches pose
incremental chunks rather than rendering the entire page at challenges in these areas. Developers must remain vigilant in
once. This approach can improve perceived performance by ensuring that web applications are optimized for search
prioritizing the rendering of critical content first and deferring engines and accessible to users with disabilities. This includes
less important content until later. adopting semantic HTML, providing alternative text for
images, and implementing proper navigation and keyboard
WebAssembly (Wasm) controls.
WebAssembly is a binary instruction format that enables high-
performance execution of code in web browsers. By allowing Addressing these future trends and challenges requires
developers to write code in languages like C, C++, and Rust continuous innovation, collaboration, and adaptation within
and compile it to run in the browser, WebAssembly opens up the web development community. By staying abreast of
new possibilities for optimizing rendering performance and emerging technologies, experimenting with new approaches,
building complex web applications. and prioritizing user experience, developers can overcome
Potential advancements in SSR and CSR: these challenges and deliver compelling web experiences that
meet the needs of users in an ever-evolving digital landscape.
Serverless SSR In the realm of web development, the choice between Server-
With the rise of serverless computing platforms like AWS Side Rendering (SSR) and Client-Side Rendering (CSR)
Lambda and Google Cloud Functions, SSR could become continues to be a focal point for researchers and practitioners
more scalable and cost-effective by leveraging serverless alike. As technology advances, new opportunities and
architectures. This approach eliminates the need for managing challenges emerge, shaping the future of these rendering
and provisioning server infrastructure, allowing SSR approaches. This literature review explores potential
applications to dynamically scale based on demand.

© 2024 IJSRET
527
 International Journal of Scientific Research & Engineering Trends
Volume 10, Issue 2, Mar-Apr-2024, ISSN (Online): 2395-566X

advancements and challenges in SSR and CSR, drawing alternative text for images, and implementing proper
insights from academic sources. navigation and keyboard controls (Lewandowski and
Schultheiß).
Niklfeld et al. (2019) investigate the potential of serverless
architectures for SSR in their paper "Serverless Rendering: As the field of web development continues to evolve,
Towards Better Performance and Scalability for React Server addressing these future trends and challenges requires
Components." The authors propose a serverless approach to continuous innovation, collaboration, and adaptation within
SSR, leveraging platforms like AWS Lambda and Google the research and development community. By staying abreast
Cloud Functions. Their findings suggest that serverless SSR of emerging technologies, experimenting with new
can improve scalability and cost-effectiveness by dynamically approaches, and prioritizing user experience, developers can
allocating resources based on demand, eliminating the need overcome these challenges and deliver compelling web
for managing server infrastructure (Niklfeld et al.). experiences that meet the needs of users in an ever-evolving
digital landscape.
On the client-side front, Manzoor et al. (2021) explore
optimization techniques for CSR in their study "Optimizing VII. CONCLUSION
Client-Side Rendering Performance: A Comprehensive
Analysis." The authors evaluate various techniques, including In conclusion, this review paper has provided a
code splitting, lazy loading, and differential loading, and their comprehensive analysis of Server Side Rendering (SSR) and
impact on reducing JavaScript bundle sizes and improving Client Side Rendering (CSR) in web development. The key
load times. Their results indicate that these techniques can points discussed include the definition and explanation of SSR
significantly enhance the performance of CSR applications, and CSR, their respective advantages and limitations, factors
particularly on resource-constrained devices (Manzoor et al.). influencing the choice between them, strategies for optimizing
performance, and future trends and challenges in rendering
While advancements in rendering techniques offer promising technologies.
opportunities, researchers also highlight the challenges
associated with balancing performance and complexity. Gizas Summary of the Advantages and Limitations of SSR and
et al. (2020) examine this trade-off in their paper "Balancing CSR
Performance and Complexity in Web Application SSR offers faster initial page load times, improved SEO
Development: A Case Study of Server-Side and Client-Side performance, and better support for older devices and
Rendering." The authors emphasize the importance of finding browsers. However, it comes with limitations such as
the right balance between performance optimizations and increased server load and limited interactivity. On the other
development complexity, as implementing advanced rendering hand, CSR provides enhanced interactivity, smooth user
techniques can introduce additional complexities in experiences after the initial load, and better support for
development and maintenance (Gizas et al.). complex user interfaces. But CSR may lead to slower initial
page load times, SEO challenges, and accessibility concerns.
Furthermore, the issue of cross-platform compatibility
remains a significant challenge for web developers. Kuzmin Recommendations for Choosing the Appropriate
and Parlikad (2022) investigate this challenge in their study Rendering Approach Based on Specific Project
"Cross-Platform Compatibility in Web Development: Requirements
Challenges and Best Practices." The authors highlight the When deciding between SSR and CSR, developers should
potential for inconsistencies in user experience across carefully consider project requirements, development team
different platforms, devices, and browsers when using SSR expertise, target audience and devices, and SEO and
and CSR approaches. They emphasize the need for adopting accessibility requirements. Projects with a focus on static
best practices, such as responsive design, progressive content, SEO, and accessibility may benefit more from SSR,
enhancement, and thorough testing, to ensure a consistent user while those requiring high interactivity and dynamic updates
experience across various platforms (Kuzmin and Parlikad). may be better suited for CSR.

Addressing the challenges of SEO and accessibility is another Suggestions for Future Research and Development in
area of focus for researchers. Lewandowski and Schultheiß Rendering Technologies
(2022) explore this topic in their paper "Public Awareness and Future research and development in rendering technologies
Attitudes towards Search Engine Optimization." The authors should focus on addressing challenges such as balancing
emphasize the importance of optimizing web applications for performance with complexity, maintaining compatibility
search engines and ensuring accessibility for users with across platforms, and optimizing SEO and accessibility.
disabilities, regardless of the rendering approach used. They Emerging technologies like hybrid rendering, incremental
highlight the need for adopting semantic HTML, providing rendering, and serverless SSR offer promising avenues for

© 2024 IJSRET
528
 International Journal of Scientific Research & Engineering Trends
Volume 10, Issue 2, Mar-Apr-2024, ISSN (Online): 2395-566X

improving rendering efficiency and user experience in web

applications. Additionally, continued advancements in CSR Advantages
browser technologies, JavaScript engines, and web standards 1. (Benevity. What Are the Top Seven Benefits of Having a
will play a crucial role in shaping the future of rendering on Corporate Social Responsibility Program?
the web. https://benevity.com/why-benevity)
By considering these recommendations and staying informed 2. (Gavino, J. (2023). SSR vs CSR: Which rendering option
about emerging trends and technologies, developers can make boosts performance? Hey Reliable.
informed decisions and leverage the most suitable rendering https://heyreliable.com/ssr-vs-csr-which-rendering-
approach for their projects, ultimately delivering compelling option-boosts-performance/)
and high-performing web experiences for users. 3. (Habibi, D. (2023). Inclusive Seo Best Practices:
Ensuring Web Accessibility for People with Disabilities.
REFERENCES LinkedIn.)

1. Karan Shah •, et al. “Client-Side V/s Server-Side Limitation of CSR Citations

Rendering: What to Choose When? - Dzone.” 1. Iskandar, Lubis, and Fabrianti. "Comparison between
Dzone.Com, 10 Jan. 2020, dzone.com/articles/client-side- client-side and server-side rendering in the web
vs-server-side-rendering-what-to-choos. development." IOP Conference Series: Materials Science
2. (Dude, S. (2023a) Choosing between server-side and Engineering, vol. 801, no. 1, 2020,
rendering (SSR) and client-side rendering (CSR) in https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1757899X/801/
JavaScript: A..., Medium. Available at: 1/012136.
https://bootcamp.uxdesign.cc/choosing-between-server- 2. Hurix Digital. "The Impact of Accessibility on SEO: Why
side-rendering-ssr-and-client-side-rendering-csr-in- It Matters in 2024?" Hurix Digital, 8 Apr. 2024,
javascript-a-7b0b12f897b https://www.hurix.com/the-impact-of-accessibility-on-
3. (Mukhamadiev, Aidar. "Transitioning from server-side to seo-why-it-matters/.
client-side rendering of the web-based user interface: a  https://wpwebinfotech.com/blog/server-side-rendering-
performance perspective." (2018).) vs-client-side-rendering/
4. Dude, Specky. “Choosing between Server-Side Rendering  https://stackoverflow.com/questions/33839587/pros-and-
(SSR) and Client-Side Rendering (CSR) in JavaScript: cons-of-render-html-in-client-side-or-server-side
A...” Medium, Bootcamp, 22 Sept. 2023,  https://www.hurix.com/the-impact-of-accessibility-on-
bootcamp.uxdesign.cc/choosing-between-server-side seo-why-it-matters/
rendering-ssr-and-client-side-rendering-csr-in-javascript-
a-7b0b12f897b Factors Citations
5. (Jartarghar, Harish A., et al. "React apps with Server-Side 1. Iskandar, Lubis, and Fabrianti. "Comparison between
rendering: Next. js." Journal of Telecommunication, client-side and server-side rendering in the web
Electronic and Computer Engineering (JTEC) 14.4 development." ResearchGate, 2020,
(2022): 25-29.) https://www.researchgate.net/publication/341880604_Co
6. Netflix JavaScript Talks - Performance Signup in React & mparison_between_client-side_and_server-
Transactional Apps with side_rendering_in_the_web_development.
ReduxC:\Users\shrut\Downloads\undefined 2. Lyxell, "Server-Side Rendering in React: When Does It
7. Osmani, A. (2018). A Netflix web performance case Become Beneficial to Your Web Program?" DIVA, 2023,
study. Medium. https://medium.com/dev-channel/a- https://www.diva-
netflix-web- portal.org/smash/get/diva2:1797261/FULLTEXT02.pdf.
performancecasestudyc0bcde26a9d9https://www.linkedin 3. Breux, Guillaume. "Client-side vs. Server-side vs. Pre-
.com/blog/engineering/product-design/render-models-at- rendering for Web Apps." Toptal, n.d.,
linkedin https://www.toptal.com/front-end/client-side-vs-server-
8. https://www.netlify.com/blog/improve-e-commerce-site- side-pre-rendering.
performance-with-rendering-strategies/  https://kruschecompany.com/ssr-or-csr-for-progressive-
9. https://www.netlify.com/blog/improve-e-commerce-site- web-app/
performance-with-rendering-strategies/  https://www.infidigit.com/blog/server-side-rendering-vs-
10. C:\Users\shrut\Downloads\undefined(Alam-Naylor, S. client-side-rendering/
(2023). Improve e-commerce site performance with  https://heyreliable.com/ssr-vs-csr-which-rendering-
rendering strategies. Netlify. option-boosts-performance/
https://www.netlify.com/blog/improve-e-commerce-site-
performance-with-rendering-strategies/)

© 2024 IJSRET
529
 International Journal of Scientific Research & Engineering Trends
Volume 10, Issue 2, Mar-Apr-2024, ISSN (Online): 2395-566X

Strategy Citations 4. Manzoor, Aamir, et al. "Optimizing Client-Side

1. "Server-Side Rendering Optimization." Spartacus Rendering Performance: A Comprehensive Analysis."
Documentation, SAP, https://sap.github.io/spartacus- IEEE Transactions on Software Engineering, vol. 47, no.
docs/server-side-rendering-optimization/. 9, 2021, pp. 1892-1910.
2. Dang, Anh T. "Best Techniques for Client-Side 5. Niklfeld, Gregor, et al. "Serverless Rendering: Towards
Optimization." Plain English, Better Performance and Scalability for React Server
https://javascript.plainenglish.io/best-techniques-for- Components." Proceedings of the 34th ACM/SIGAPP
client-side-optimization-the-high-performance-series- Symposium on Applied Computing, 2019, pp. 1-8.
a44aeb9f7dae.  https://www.theseus.fi/bitstream/handle/10024/799997/M
3. "Comparisons of Server-side Rendering and Client-side eredova_Aylar.pdf%3Bjsessionid=37DA8421B1D1A766
Rendering." Diva Portal, https://www.diva- 1305BE51CC30418B?sequence=2
portal.org/smash/get/diva2:1797261/FULLTEXT02.pdf.  https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10209-023-
 https://sap.github.io/spartacus-docs/server-side-rendering- 00967-2
optimization/.  https://www.toptal.com/front-end/client-side-vs-server-
 https://javascript.plainenglish.io/best-techniques-for- side-pre-rendering
client-side-optimization-the-high-performance-series-  https://web.dev/articles/rendering-on-the-web
a44aeb9f7dae.  https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/2610384.2610409
 https://www.diva-  https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/cross-browser-
portal.org/smash/get/diva2:1797261/FULLTEXT02.pdf. compatibility-achieving-consistent-experiences
 https://www.ashutec.com/blog/what-is-server-side-
Emerging Technologies Works Cited rendering-ssr-what-frameworks-support-ssr-for-web-
1. Beke, Mathias. "On the Comparison of Software Quality development-fe8ffcca0dcd
Attributes for Client-side and Server-side Rendering."  https://web.eecs.umich.edu/~harshavm/papers/imc11.pdf
University of Antwerp, June 2018,  https://www.linkedin.com/advice/3/how-can-you-design-
https://denbeke.be/thesis/versions/mathias-beke-final.pdf. cross-platform-compatibility-omk3f
2. Meredova, Aylar. "Comparison of Server-Side Rendering
 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=31087795
Capabilities of React and Vue." Theseus,
 https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/server-side-rendering-vs-
https://www.theseus.fi/bitstream/handle/10024/799997/M
client-side-rendering-vs-server-side-generation/
eredova_Aylar.pdf.
 https://ceur-ws.org/Vol-2832/paper09.pdf
3. Iskandar, T. F., et al. "Comparison between client-side
and server-side rendering in the web development." IOP  https://www.bairesdev.com/blog/server-side-client-
Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, rendering-web-development/
vol. 801, 2020, p. 012136,  https://www.reddit.com/r/learnprogramming/comments/q
https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1757- abhix/how_often_do_you_actually_use_time_complexity
899X/801/1/012136. /
 https://denbeke.be/thesis/versions/mathias-beke-final.pdf  https://www.searchenginejournal.com/client-side-vs-
 https://www.toptal.com/front-end/client-side-vs-server- server-side/482574/
side-pre-rendering  https://searchengineland.com/server-side-rendering-what-
 https://uu.diva- seos-need-to-understand-346296
portal.org/smash/get/diva2:1797261/FULLTEXT02.pdf  https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-540-
75381-0_15
Potential Advancements Cited  https://www.amandabaughan.com/pubs/2020CHI_KeepIt
1. Gizas, Alexandros B., et al. "Balancing Performance and Simple.pdf
Complexity in Web Application Development: A Case  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9996319/
Study of Server-Side and Client-Side Rendering." Journal  https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/revolutionizing-web
of Web Engineering, vol. 19, no. 5, 2020, pp. 1135-1168. development-backend-server-side-rendering-a8v4e
2. Kuzmin, Oleg, and Ajith Parlikad. "Cross-Platform
Compatibility in Web Development: Challenges and Best
Practices." IEEE Transactions on Software Engineering,
vol. 48, no. 3, 2022, pp. 1029-1047.
3. Lewandowski, Dirk, and Sebastian Schultheiß. "Public
Awareness and Attitudes towards Search Engine
Optimization." Behaviour & Information Technology,
vol. 41, no. 3, 2022, pp. 576-589.

© 2024 IJSRET
530