SSR or SSG? Performance Breakdown of Vue Frameworks

Building a fast, smooth website is more important than ever. Whether it’s a portfolio, online store, or app, speed keeps users happy—and keeps them coming back. One big choice developers face is how to serve their Vue apps. Should you use SSR or SSG? Let’s break down Vue framework performance and find out what’s best for your next project.

What is SSR and SSG in Vue?

Before we compare, let’s keep things simple.

What is SSR?

SSR stands for Server-Side Rendering.
This means your content is generated on the server for each request.
The browser receives ready-to-go HTML. That means:

• Faster first load

• Better SEO

• Dynamic content is easier to handle

Example: A news site that updates content regularly benefits from SSR.

What is SSG?

SSG stands for Static Site Generation.
The app builds all pages ahead of time. These are just HTML files served from a CDN.
It’s like handing out pre-printed flyers instead of writing a new one each time.

Best for:

• Blogs

• Portfolios

• Documentation sites

Vue Framework Performance: SSR vs SSG

Both SSR and SSG are part of modern Vue framework performance strategy. But they work best in different ways.

SSR Performance in Vue

SSR is powerful. It gives users a fast first view because the HTML is already rendered.

Pros:

• Great for dynamic content

• Better SEO for fast-changing pages

• Smooth user experience

Cons:

• Higher server load

• Can be slower under traffic spikes

• Requires more backend support

Let’s say you're running an eCommerce app with thousands of products that change daily. SSR is your friend here.

SSG for Vue Apps

With SSG for Vue apps, you generate all pages during build time. You host them on a fast CDN like Netlify or Vercel.

Pros:

• Super-fast load times

• Almost zero server costs

• Great for security

Cons:

• Not ideal for dynamic content

• Long build times for large sites

• Rebuilding is needed for content changes

Use SSG when content updates are rare and performance is key—like a product landing page.

Which Is Faster?

When it comes to pure speed, SSG often wins. Pages are prebuilt and served instantly.

But SSR performance in Vue is also impressive—especially with tools like Nuxt 3 using Nitro for edge rendering. You can cache pages, render only what’s needed, and even mix SSR + SSG for hybrid use.

Using the Right Vue Component Library

Speed isn’t only about SSR vs SSG.
Choosing a smart vue component library boosts performance too.

Popular libraries include:

• Vuetify – Great for Material Design

• PrimeVue – Feature-rich and customizable

• Element Plus – Ideal for enterprise UI

Lightweight components mean faster load times. Lazy-loading features and tree-shaking also help reduce bundle size.

Pro Tip: Avoid bloated UI libraries if your app is small. Choose what fits your use case.

Real-Life Example

A SaaS startup built its landing page with Nuxt in SSG mode. They used a light Vue component library, cached everything on the CDN, and loaded pages under 100ms.

Later, they added SSR to the dashboard for live user data. This hybrid approach gave the best of both worlds—Vue framework performance tailored to real needs.

When to Choose SSR or SSG

Go with SSR if:

• Your app shows real-time data

• SEO is a top priority for dynamic pages

• You want more flexibility with personalization

Choose SSG if:

• Your content doesn’t change often

• You want blazing-fast pages

• You need a simple, cheap hosting setup

Blended Strategy: The Best of Both

Modern Vue tools like Nuxt 3 let you mix SSR and SSG. Use SSG for your static routes and SSR for pages that need fresh content.

This hybrid model is great for blogs with personalized dashboards or marketplaces with both static and dynamic content.

Need Help Deciding?

Choosing the right setup can be tricky.
Performance depends on your app's needs, your users, and your hosting setup.

That’s why many companies Hire Vue JS developers to guide them through the best practices. Experts can help build blazing-fast apps, optimize the build, and select the best tools for your goals.

Final Thoughts

Understanding Vue framework performance is key to building successful apps in 2025. Whether you pick SSR performance in Vue or choose SSG for Vue apps, what matters most is how you use the tools.