Nuxt vs Hydrogen vs Remix for Shopify Development
The framework wars are alive and well — and Shopify sits right in the middle. Developers building headless or hybrid frontends are choosing between Nuxt (Vue), Hydrogen (React), and Remix (React, non-Shopify-specific). Let’s break down how they compare in 2025.
Hydrogen: Shopify’s Native Weapon
- Tight Shopify Integration: Storefront API hooks, Cart API, App Proxies, Checkout Extensibility.
- Hydrogen 3: Lighter, faster SSR, with React Server Components (RSC) built in.
- Oxygen Hosting: Zero-config deploys to Shopify’s edge network.
- Best Fit For: Shopify-centric devs who want official support and the shortest path to production.
Nuxt: The Vue Ecosystem Champion
- Nuxt 4: Vue 3 Composition API, Vite-powered builds, hybrid rendering (SSR/ISR/CSR).
- Vue Community Strength: Polaris Vue libraries bring Shopify’s UI design language to Vue.
- Flexibility: Easier integration with non-Shopify services (Firebase, Supabase, headless CMS).
- Best Fit For: Vue-leaning teams or agencies that want Shopify but don’t want to lock into React.
Remix: The Middle Ground
- Framework Agnostic: React-based, but not Shopify-exclusive.
- File-Based Routing + Data Loading: Great DX for complex apps.
- API Flexibility: Works well if Shopify is only one of several data sources.
- Best Fit For: Enterprise builds where Shopify is just one piece of a broader architecture.
Decision Framework
- Choose Hydrogen if Shopify is your business’s backbone and you want full ecosystem support.
- Choose Nuxt if you’re a Vue house or building hybrid experiences (Shopify + Firebase + CMS).
- Choose Remix if Shopify is part of a multi-platform stack or if you’re building SaaS that just plugs into Shopify.
Bottom line: The right choice is less about hype and more about team skillsets and project scope. In 2025, all three frameworks are production-ready. Pick the one that minimizes friction for your team while maximizing performance for your customers.