Why We Chose Our Tech Stack: Building Compubility with Next.js, MongoDB, and GCP

At Compubility, every decision we make is guided by one question: How can we simplify technology to help users achieve more? Choosing the right tech stack was no exception. We needed a stack that could grow with us, handle modern application demands, and provide the best experience for our users. After careful consideration, we landed on Next.js, MongoDB, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP). Here's why.

Next.js: The Backbone of Our Frontend

When building a modern, scalable web application, the framework you choose plays a huge role. For us, Next.js stood out for several reasons:

Server-Side Rendering (SSR):
Performance is critical, and SSR allows us to deliver fast-loading pages while improving SEO. With SSR, pages are rendered on the server, giving users a fully-loaded experience the moment they land on our site.

Familiarity with React:
Next.js builds on React, a library we're deeply familiar with. This made onboarding and development faster and allowed us to leverage the ecosystem we already love.

Vercel Deployments:
Deploying with Vercel, the team behind Next.js, is seamless. We can deploy new features, test them with previews, and go live with confidence. The combination of speed, simplicity, and reliability was a game-changer for us.

UI Flexibility:
The flexibility Next.js provides—whether through static generation, SSR, or API routes—allowed us to tailor the user interface for optimal performance and usability. Crafting an intuitive, fast UI was one of the most important factors in our decision.

MongoDB: The Brain of Our Application

For our database, we needed a solution that was flexible, scalable, and easy to work with. MongoDB checked all the boxes:

Schema Flexibility:
MongoDB’s schema-less design lets us iterate quickly. We can add new fields and collections without worrying about rigid database schemas, enabling us to move fast while delivering value.

Ease of Data Additions:
Storing and retrieving data in MongoDB is simple, making it easy to implement features like analytics, user profiles, and more.

Scalability:
As Compubility grows, MongoDB can handle increasing data loads without requiring complex migrations or restructuring.

Google Cloud Platform (GCP): Storage, Authentication, and Scalability

For our infrastructure needs, we evaluated Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Microsoft Azure, and Amazon Web Services (AWS). Ultimately, we chose GCP for its cost-effectiveness, intuitive interface, and seamless integration with our tech stack.

Why GCP?

Storage:
GCP provides reliable and secure storage for everything from user-uploaded files to backups.

Authentication with NextAuth:
We’re using NextAuth for authentication, integrated with GCP’s infrastructure to ensure secure and efficient login flows.

Global Performance:
GCP’s global infrastructure ensures consistent performance for users no matter where they are.

Key Observations:

GCP Costs: GCP offered a great balance of pricing and included free-tier usage that met our needs during the early development stages.

Ease of Use: GCP’s UI was the easiest to navigate, helping us focus on building rather than managing infrastructure. For a lean team like ours, this was a major advantage.

Flexibility Across Providers: All three providers are excellent for scalability, but GCP’s simplicity tipped the scales in its favor.

Why This Tech Stack Works for Us

At the heart of this stack is flexibility and simplicity. Next.js allows us to create a fast, intuitive UI while giving us the tools to scale. MongoDB makes working with data straightforward and adaptable to new requirements. Finally, GCP provides a secure, scalable, and cost-effective infrastructure that lets us focus on building rather than managing.

We’re excited to continue building Compubility and sharing our journey with you. If you’re curious about our stack—or have suggestions for your favorite tools—drop us a comment or reach out. Let’s keep simplifying technology together. 🚀

Coming Up Next...

In our next post we'll be discussing some of the tools we use to get the job done.

Stay tuned!

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