React or Vue, which JS framework is best?

Publish Date: Mar 2 '24

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React is the most popular JavaScript library for building single-page applications. On the other hand, Vue.js claims to be the framework. They share more in common than, for example, Angular, which is a “true” framework. 🚩

In this article, I am going to make a detailed comparison between React.js and Vue.js so that you can decide which JS framework/library is BEST for you. 🚧

⚖️ Framework Overview

React was created by Jordan Walke, a software engineer at Facebook. Currently, it is maintained by Meta (formerly Facebook) and a community of individual developers and companies.

Its rich ecosystem and flexibility make it a perfect choice for building complex user interfaces and handling data processing tasks.

Additionally, React Native, an extension of React.js, enables developers to create hybrid mobile applications with ease.

..On the other hand, Vue.js, a relatively newer entrant, created by Evan You after working for Google using AngularJS in several projects. Vue focuses on simplicity and efficiency in UI design and development.

🧹🫧Its intuitive syntax and clear design principles make it appealing to developers seeking a straightforward framework for building interfaces.

Vue.js also offers built-in features like animation and state management through Pinia which serve a wide range of development needs.

🍏 Reasons for Using Vue.js

Vue.js has gained attention for its simplicity. Developers appreciate its clear and logical design, which speeds up the development process and workflows.

Unlike some other frameworks, Vue.js maintains a consistent syntax throughout the UI functionality.

One of Vue.js' strengths lies in its efficient official plugins, which offer solutions for common tasks like routing.

⚠️ Most importantly, Vue.js operates as an independent framework without corporate backing, which may appeal to developers concerned about data exploitation by large tech companies.

⚛️ Reasons for Using React

React.js has some unique features that make it a popular choice among developers.

The JSX syntax simplifies the creation of custom components. 📂

JSX stands for JavaScript XML. JSX allows us to write HTML in React. JSX makes it easier to write and add HTML in React.

It is just an XML-like extension that allows us to write JavaScript that looks like markup and have it returned from a component.

Moreover, React.js offers strong support for search engine optimization (SEO), ensuring that web applications built with React.js are easily discoverable and indexable by search engines.

Another advantage of React.js is its support for mobile development through React Native. Developers familiar with React.js can improve their skills to build native mobile apps using the same syntax and development patterns used in React.js.

Additionally, React Developer Tools provide invaluable assistance in organizing and debugging code.

🥇 Comparison of Popularity and Performance

Both React.js and Vue.js have witnessed significant demand within the developer community, but React.js currently holds a slight edge in terms of popularity. Its larger user base and extensive ecosystem contribute to its widespread use in various projects and industries.

🛰️ In terms of performance, both frameworks provide virtual DOM for efficient rendering of HTML pages. 📟

This approach ensures that UI updates are fast and responsive.

However, Vue.js tends to excel in component creation and updates, thanks to its streamlined approach to optimization.

🔎 The Statista survey report reveals that 42.62% of developers have chosen React.js whereas 18.82% of developers have used Vue.js. for web development

🧊 Scalability

Scalability is a crucial factor for frameworks handling large and complex applications.

React.js offers a scalable architecture through the concept of "smart" and "dumb" components.

🔹Smart components manage performance-related tasks and orchestrate interactions with dumb components, which focus on rendering UI elements based on input data.

Vue.js provides a similar approach to scalability, with support for state management through Pinia and other official libraries. This allows developers to efficiently manage state changes and ensure optimal performance as their projects grow in complexity.

📲 Adjust to Mobile Devices

Both React.js and Vue.js provide solutions for mobile development to meet the growing demand for cross-platform applications.

React Native, a mobile development framework based on React.js, allows developers to build native iOS and Android apps using familiar React.js patterns.

Vue.js supports Weex, a mobile UI framework developed by Alibaba Group, which enables the creation of iOS and Android apps using Vue.js components.

While Weex may not enjoy the same level of popularity as React Native, it offers a viable option for developers seeking a Vue.js-centric approach to mobile development.

🚎🔩 Size and Community Support

The size of a framework can significantly impact its performance and load times.

Vue.js has a smaller default size compared to React.js, making it an attractive option for projects where optimization is a priority.

Additionally, Vue.js provides essential features out of the box. For example, it reduces the need for additional library downloads.

In terms of community support, React.js benefits from backing by Facebook and an active open-source community. However, Vue.js has also gained traction among developers, thanks to its user-friendly design and extensive documentation. While React.js may have a larger community, Vue.js' growing popularity indicates its potential for long-term success.

🏒 Use Cases

Both React.js and Vue.js are versatile frameworks with a wide range of use cases.

React.js mostly used in building social media platforms, complex web applications, and projects requiring seamless integration with React Native for mobile development.

Vue.js, on the other hand, is well-suited for small to medium-sized web applications, real-time platforms, and content delivery platforms. Its fast performance and easy maintenance make it a popular choice among developers seeking a lightweight framework for rapid development.

🏇 Recommendation:

Did you know that the majority of developers and UI/UX designers use a fantastic design tool called Figma to create web design components and mockups/prototypes for websites or apps? It became the most popular design tool (RIP Adobe XD) for developers due to its all-in-service:

⚓ Super Clean UI Design (Figma)
🎈 Collaboration with Other Team Members (FigJam)
👨‍💻 Developer Mode (Figma Pro)
🤖 Creating AI UI/UX Templates in no time (FigJam AI & Plugins)

As a frontend developer, having some design skills is required since job recruiters often seek candidates with such capabilities. Fortunately, with FigJam AI, you don't need to master advanced design skills. FigJam AI offers tips to enhance your designs, automates tedious tasks, and best of all, it's currently available for free to everyone.

👏 Conclusion

In conclusion, both React.js and Vue.js offer unique strengths and advantages for front-end development projects. React.js wins with its versatility, robust ecosystem, and support for mobile development. It's a top choice for developers working on complex applications.

Vue.js, on the other hand, stands out for its simplicity, efficiency, and fast performance. Its intuitive syntax and efficient design make it an excellent option for developers seeking a lightweight framework with minimal overhead.

Thanks for reading this article. If you like this article, you may also like my 𝕏 account for more lessons on frontend development.

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Comments 52 total

Fatemeh PagharMar 2, 2024
Deciding between React and Vue ultimately depends on specific project requirements, team expertise, and personal preferences. React, developed by Facebook, boasts a large and active community, extensive ecosystem, and widespread adoption, making it a solid choice for complex and scalable applications. Its component-based architecture, virtual DOM, and state management libraries offer flexibility and performance. On the other hand, Vue, known for its simplicity, ease of learning, and gentle learning curve, appeals to developers seeking rapid prototyping and smaller-scale projects. Its progressive nature and intuitive syntax make it an excellent choice for solo developers or smaller teams. Ultimately, both frameworks have their strengths and weaknesses, so choosing the "best" one depends on factors specific to each project and team.
- Programming with ShahanMar 3, 2024
  Thanks for your summary.
- alienfoxxMar 5, 2024
  I just have that feeling of is not a human comment 😂 lol
  - Fatemeh PagharMar 5, 2024
    Or maybe you are not human.
    - alienfoxxMar 9, 2024
      maybe who knows!
- Jotty JohnJun 19, 2024
  Agreed!!
EugeneMar 3, 2024
React gives more opportunities on the job market, hence, the choice is obvious.
- TaliaMar 4, 2024
  Is that really all that matters?
  - EugeneMar 4, 2024
    Not everything, but majority. It’s ok to know them both, especially for pure frontend devs. However, if we are to choose what to learn to get paid, more widely-used tool should be picked.
    - TaliaMar 5, 2024
      Yeah, but development can't progress if everyone always chooses the safest, most popular choice. I guess if you're worried about optimizing your own employability (which to be fair most people are), and you can only learn one, you should learn React. But there's more to development than that.
      - EugeneMar 5, 2024
        You’re right, however, it’s important to understand, that in the world of frontend (js world) new libs and frameworks appear literally every couple of days. And it’s not possible to learn, or even simply get familiar with, all of them. Otherwise, you just put yourself at risk to be ‘jack of all trades, master of none’.
EckehardMar 3, 2024
If you look at how many posts deal with the problems of React, you get the impression that either
- Vue is used much less or
- Using React causes a lot more problems
- Programming with ShahanMar 3, 2024
  Agreed. Even though Vue is used much less, it is mostly used for its simplicity and lightweight libraries.
  
  I would go with Vue.js if I needed a simple application with minimal overhead. Its package size being only 21 KBs, quicker in data rendering than react.js.
  - EckehardMar 3, 2024
    Simplicity is not bad. If you can turn the world upside down with simple means, that's good, not bad.
    
    The word implies some limitations (like "simple minded") but I´m not sure this is true with Vue. Are there any things you can do with React that you cannot do with Vue?
    - Programming with ShahanMar 3, 2024
      Great observation! Both frameworks can be used to build small to large SPAs. I can do pretty much the same with them. I don't think there is something I can do in React but can't do in Vue.
      
      So it mainly depends on popularity. I would say the success of React can also be attributed in large part to its creator, Facebook.
      - squidbeMar 4, 2024
        
        React can also be attributed in large part to its creator, Facebook.
        
        This is unfortunately de rigueur in software. Too many people just jump on board because they think the big companies got it all figured out.
        
        EckehardMar 4, 2024
        Or as my grandma would have said:
        
        The devil always shits on the biggest pile...
        
        Programming with ShahanMar 4, 2024
        lmao.. Its 100% true. I believe Facebook lacks privacy, and Meta softwares are getting worse day by day. So, I can't trust React :(
- squidbeMar 4, 2024
  Having used both, I'm convinced that if Facebook had created Vue and Evan had created React, Vue would have absolutely crushed React. React's popularity, like Angular before it, is largely due to the 800-lb. gorilla behind it. I'm not saying it's junk, just saying that Vue can do what React can do and more, and Vue's performance is excellent. It's a pleasure to work with.
  - Programming with ShahanMar 4, 2024
    That's true. Vue is much faster than React. Like I mentioned, React gained popularity mainly because of Facebook. Just because it's backed by big companies doesn't necessarily make it superior.
SwanneeMar 3, 2024
Vuex is no longer relevant unless working older projects. Pinia has been the endorsed state management component of Vue for some time now.
Also Vue has been around almost as long as react. It's 10 years old now, and came less than a year after React.
- Programming with ShahanMar 3, 2024
  Thanks for sharing. Although Vuex is still maintained by Vue.js, they changed Vuex to Pinia for better typescript support.
abneribeiroMar 3, 2024
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Nicolas BouvretteMar 3, 2024
Just to note that React is a library and not a framework. It would have probably been better to compare Next.js with Vue.js
- axmad386Mar 4, 2024
  NextJs should be compared to Nuxt. It's doesn't matter how we call React as library or framework, VueJs is solve the same problem as ReactJs do, so it's fair enough to compare them. In other hand, Nuxt solve the same problem as NextJs, I don't know how we call it, meta framework?
  - Programming with ShahanMar 4, 2024
    Vue.js = React.js
    Next.js = Nuxt.js
    
    But Angular is a bit different from React. Angular is a full-fledged front-end framework. React uses one-way data binding and virtual DOM trees, whereas Angular uses two-way data binding and real DOM.
    
    Vue. js provides both the one-way data flow & two-way data flow binding for web applications. There is no need to write complex code for two-way data binding, unlike other frameworks.
    
    So, Vue combines the best features of Angular and React in one place.
    
    Let's put aside any naming conflicts. They're just confusing.
    - Nicolas BouvretteMar 5, 2024
      My bad, I forgot about Nuxt. But keep in mind, Vue.js has this header on their homepage: "The Progressive JavaScript Framework."
      
      Now, what does this mean if you compare this to React? It means that it has more out-of-the-box features, such as a router and state management.
      
      But I do agree that Nuxt is more similar to Next.js since they solve common problems.
      
      We just have to keep in mind that if we compare React and Vue.js, they don't come with the same out-of-the-box capabilities.
      - Jesus GuerreroMar 7, 2024
        React is a factual framework, even when it claims to be a library, it's its code that uses your code to do things(and that's the definition of a framework) and it will be more palpable when React ships its compiler.
        
        The difference you are referring to is whether react is an all-bat included framework or not. which is valid as React offers just the UI part and lets the store management, routing, etc to well-known external libraries, and Vue is a progressive framework.
- Alois SečkárMar 4, 2024
  Funny how my Angular-colleague claims that "Vue is a library and not a framework"
NotFound404Mar 3, 2024
angular is the best
- Programming with ShahanMar 3, 2024
  You have to choose between two ;(
Joe BurkhartMar 3, 2024
Svelte is also a solid up and coming choice. I highly recommend it for smaller projects and teams. It's super straightforward, easy to learn and lightweight.
OleksandrMar 4, 2024
First of all, react is not a framework! It's a library
Haakon HestnessMar 4, 2024
lol react or vue? What about ANGULAR??? I’ve been making bank on that shit for years….
- Alois SečkárMar 4, 2024
  React and Vue are much more popular than Angular nowadays.
Tom ThorntonMar 4, 2024
NONE OF THEM, THIS OBSESSION WITH JS FRAMEWORKS HAS TO STOP. JUST BECAUSE FACEBOOK MADE IT DOESNT MEAN YOU NEED IT IN YOUR PROJECT.

I urge everyone here to stop, think, and read about HTMX. We don't need to perpetuate badly design software by convoluting it with a bloated library and approach.

Like this if you want change.
- Tom ThorntonMar 4, 2024
  Like for instance, have you ever sat down and thought about how complicated it is to make a counter that updates when it's clicked and shows the new count in the page?? Like come on it's 2024 and we can't even do that simply, Reacts attempt at state management is a joke
Yehor SergeenkoMar 4, 2024
As the person who used and worked with both frameworks, I can state that Vue 💯 x times more superior to React by all means.
- Programming with ShahanMar 4, 2024
  Agreed. Many developers have never tried Vue before. So they have no idea which one is "superior".
Chaz GatianMar 4, 2024
Is react even a framework? It's just a view engine. You gotta bring everything yourself to get anything done
Pieces 🌟Mar 4, 2024
This is a good comparison.
LassazVegazMar 4, 2024
Vue is a battery full framework while React is a library to make reusable UI components.
React is not supposed to have features as in Vue. You can use React with Vue or any other framework or library because it is a library. But it is not the same with Vue because it is a framework. You cannot compare them. Stop misguiding the community.
Vu Anh KhoaMar 5, 2024
(React + Angular) / 2 = Vue
:d right?
yogini16Mar 5, 2024
Excellent insight! Both frameworks are applicable for constructing SPAs ranging from small to large scales. I find that their capabilities are quite comparable, and I haven't encountered any tasks achievable in React that cannot be accomplished in Vue.

Therefore, popularity plays a significant role in the choice between them. I believe React's widespread adoption is also influenced significantly by its backing from Facebook, the creator.
szeredaiakosMar 5, 2024
The nr. of downloads is the only metric that matters. The rest is only talk.
OmarMar 5, 2024
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AdamDCostaMar 6, 2024
One cool thing about Vue is how you can use it's reactivity system outside of .vue files. So in a js or ts file you can use ref(), reactive(), computed() etc and have reactive state that can be shared between components. Really nice if you need something simple rather that a full on state management library like Pinia.
- Programming with ShahanMar 6, 2024
  Exactly.. I love this feature.
OldMan MontoyaMar 7, 2024
Thw one your customer needs, the one you can perform well, in other words, the one the project uses or the one younwant to you if you have the option to use.

Tools , all of them are tools to let you create a solution
Maulik ShahAug 6, 2024
Choosing between React and Vue depends on your needs. React excels with a robust ecosystem and flexibility, while Vue offers simplicity and ease of integration. In the React vs Vue debate, Vue's straightforward approach and ease of use may appeal more to beginners, while React's extensive tools suit complex applications.
- Programming with ShahanAug 8, 2024
  I agree on that.
KevinApr 20, 2025
Great breakdown, Shahan! React’s robust ecosystem is definitely a big plus for large projects, but Vue’s simplicity and more straightforward syntax really shine for developers who want to build quickly. I also appreciated the point about Vue being independent from corporate backing, which is definitely an important consideration for many developers these days.

For developers still deciding between these two powerful technologies, I'd highly recommend checking out this insightful article by Rafael Macedo. It provides a detailed feature-by-feature comparison that further clarifies when and why to use each framework:
scalablepath.com/front-end/vue-vs-...

Thanks again for this comprehensive overview!

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