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How do Server Actions differ from Route Handlers in Next.js?

Q: How do Server Actions differ from Route Handlers in Next.js?

**TL;DR.** **Server Actions** are **RPC-like** functions co-located with components, ideal for **form mutations** and progressive enhancement. **Route Handlers** ( route.js ) are **explicit HTTP endpoints** for webhooks, third-party clients, or public APIs. Use **Actions** for your own UI mutations, **Handlers** for external/HTTP needs. Server Actions RPC, co-located forms + mutations your own UI <text class='d-text' x='340' y='54' t

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Understand the problem

RPC-style mutations vs explicit HTTP endpoints.

nextjsserver-actionsroute-handlersapi

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Read the code

Same intent, two mechanisms

// Server Action — internal UI mutation
'use server';
export async function subscribe(formData: FormData) { /* ... */ }

// Route Handler — external webhook (Stripe)
// app/api/webhooks/stripe/route.ts
export async function POST(req: Request) {
  const event = verifyStripe(await req.text(), req.headers);
  // ... handle event
  return Response.json({ received: true });
}

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