Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) built with Next.js provide a seamless user experience by enabling offline access, fast loading times, and push notifications. With Next.js, developers can easily integrate service workers and caching strategies to create high-performance PWAs that work efficiently on any device.

REST API follows a fixed structure with multiple endpoints, while GraphQL offers a flexible query language, allowing clients to request only the data they need. GraphQL reduces over-fetching and under-fetching of data, making it more efficient for complex applications. However, REST APIs remain a strong choice for simpler architectures and better caching capabilities rest api vs graphql .

Helmet.js is a Node.js middleware that enhances security by setting various HTTP headers. It helps protect against common web vulnerabilities such as cross-site scripting (XSS) and clickjacking. By configuring Helmet.js in a Node.js or Express application, developers can significantly improve security with minimal effort.

React Custom Hooks allow developers to extract component logic into reusable functions, improving code maintainability. They help in managing state, fetching data, and handling side effects efficiently. By using custom hooks, React developers can simplify complex components and enhance code reusability across applications.

Next.js PWAs, GraphQL, Helmet.js, and React Custom Hooks each play a vital role in modern web development. While Next.js ensures progressive web app capabilities, GraphQL optimizes data fetching, Helmet.js secures applications, and React Custom Hooks streamline component logic. Integrating these technologies can lead to more robust and efficient web applications.