Of course SSR is simpler- request in, send / receive from a database, markup out. It isnt anything to do with SSR- your domain is simpler.
This echos my thinking whenever these framework/SSR/JavaScript debates come up. It's like everyone is talking past each other because there is no clarity around the complexity of what's being built.
So you're saying the domain is simpler while still satisfying the client's requirements? I think that's exactly the OP's point.
> My conclusion is that SPAs definitely have their place - but that place is in the minority, mostly for web apps with complex UI/UX.
Therefore, it follows that OP finds SSR is simpler, but only because OP only uses SSR for simple problems.