In this short article I'll show you the simple way to decide what you should use for your project - Vue.js or Nuxt.js.

To choose the right framework, we need to look at what makes Nuxt.js better than Vue.js in some cases. For me, there are three main advantages.

1. Built-in Structure and Auto Imports

Nuxt.js gives you a ready-to-use folder structure. It automatically imports components, layouts, composables, pages, and plugins. You don't need to spend time thinking about where to put files or how to name them. Everything is organized for you.

2. Built-in API Support

Nuxt.js lets you create a simple API right inside your project. You can connect a database, get data from it, add new data, update it, or delete it. It's very useful for small apps where you don't want to create a separate backend.

3. SEO-Friendly by Default

This is my favorite part. Nuxt makes your Vue.js app SEO-friendly. That means search engines like Google can read your site and show it in search results.

So, when I start a new project, I first ask: Should this site appear in search results? If yes, then Nuxt.js is the right choice. It works well for e-commerce websites, blogs, online course platforms, landing pages, and company websites.

But what if your app is only for logged-in users? Or maybe it's a private tool for a company - like a salary calculator - and search engines don't need to find it?

In this case, SEO is not important. So I check the second point: Do I need a simple API inside the app? If yes - again, Nuxt.js is a good option. It's great when you need basic database actions: create, read, update, and delete. But if the API is more complex or needs to handle important data carefully, I prefer to build it separately - for example, with Node.js and Express.js. In that case, Nuxt's API feature is not useful for me.

So what's left? Just the auto imports and folder structure. But let's be honest - you can get that in Vue.js too. You can use third-party libraries for auto imports. You can copy the folder structure from Nuxt. And if you really want to, you can even add routing logic similar to Nuxt's pages folder.

Also, keep in mind - Nuxt.js apps need a more complex server and more resources. Hosting them can be more expensive than simple Vue.js apps. So if the only reason you choose Nuxt is the folder structure, it may not be worth it.

So, what should you choose?

If your project needs to appear in search engines, or you want to build a small app with a built-in API - Nuxt.js is the right choice.

But if SEO doesn't matter and you don't need Nuxt's API features, then Vue.js is simpler, cheaper to host, and gives you more freedom. You can even set up a similar structure and auto imports using tools and plugins - so using Nuxt just for its folder setup might not be worth it.