Vue.js and React are competitors in the tech world for front-end development. Both are popular and used extensively, based on different business needs.
The two technologies have similarities and differences. In this blog, we will examine Vue.js and React, their comparison, and real-world use cases.
This analysis will help developers decide which one to use based on project requirements. So, let’s get started with Vue.js.
What is Vue.js?
It is a lightweight and multi-dimensional framework which is known for flexibility and adaptability. It is open-source and used by developers to build applications and User Interfaces.
It is also easy to learn and an efficient tool for creating web apps by making use of the component-based model.
This framework is now maintained by the core team of Vue.js and has recently released Vue 3.1.
What is React?
React was specifically created for some of the requirements of Facebook and is still maintained by the latter.
It is open-source, and the tool operates under MIT License. It is mistaken by many as a JavaScript framework, but in reality, it is a JavaScript UI library developed by Facebook in 2011.
It allows developers to build single-page applications (SPAs) easily and quickly. It can also be used for web development and mobile applications.
Point-wise Comparison of Vue.js & React
Having seen the background and overview of both the technologies, let’s compare the two for specific features. This comparison will help the developer in picking one out of the two, based on the requirements.
Community
Both Vue.js and React have large communities as they are the two major JavaScript development technologies. They provide developers with plugins, tools, and libraries.
However, React has a larger community, comprehensive documentation and multiple languages support. On the other hand, Vue has a growing community and some of the documents are not translated from Chinese.
Communities are a big strength for both Vue.js and React.
Performance
The performance of React is good because of its component-based architecture, enabling building single-page apps with speedy page loading and clean code.
For Vue, the virtual DOM helps in optimizing the performance and load time is improved by lazy loading.
However, both tools are good at performing well, and developers should not be worried about this aspect.
Vue.js is capable of handling updates in a better way with less manual intervention as compared to React. Vue.js automatically tracks components and does not need optimization methods for high performance.
React makes use of virtual DOM dealing with HTML, XML or XHTML to improve the web app’s performance.
Scalability
For scalability and building large-scale, enterprise level apps, both Vue.js and React are a good choice, as they allow component reusability.
React is a good technology to build scalable UIs as it uses pure JavaScript. It is also lightweight, which makes it a good choice for use in multi-page apps or big single-page apps.
Vue has been developed as a framework to build small-time apps, but due to its flexible tools, it can also be extended. The scalability is due to its Mixin elements and web packs which counter the limitations.
Flexibility
React provides flexibility in terms of enabling installing third-party components whereas Vues offers only a few sets of components for implementing app features.
So, in case of flexibility, React has an upper hand as compared to Vue.js.
React allows developers to control aspects like state management, routing of applications. Vue on the other hand allows creating custom directives, transitions and filters. It also provides several built-in directives and transitions.
Vue allows extending the framework and customizing it with the help of its flexible tools. Vue has official libraries for state management, routing, set up and provides guidelines to build apps.
Mobile Development
Vue.js and React both are suitable for mobile app development as they have the necessary speed, performance and flexibility.
React Native is the framework for building mobile apps by making use of React for both iOS and Android. It allows quick and easy development.
Similarity, Vue Native is a framework for building mobile apps by making use of Vue for both iOS and Android. Vue Native is an ideal choice for mobile apps for developers who already know Vue.
Usage Areas
As we have already seen Vue.js is mostly used for single-page web apps. However, many large companies including Nintendo, Grammarly, Trivago have used it for their websites.
It is ideal for use on platforms which has to support simultaneous transactions and multiple users. It is also a good choice for newspaper, magazine, blog apps and simple social media platforms.
React was developed by Meta and most of its use is for social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and WhatsApp .
However, React can also be used for other applications like eCommerce platforms and, content-based platforms like Reddit, Pinterest.
User Experience(UX)
Both Vue.js and React are good at User Experience(UX) which includes components like text boxes, buttons or tabs.
However, if you want to quickly build a top-notch User Interface, React is preferred by most businesses. If the right logic is used and the app is built properly, React provides bug-free performance.
Developers can go with Vue if they have to experiment with many UI elements as it does not directly showcase code changes in UI.
It also has a two-way data-binding nature, which makes it easy for developers to configure and modify HTML attributes and values.
Use Cases of Vue.js & React
Netflix
This video streaming platform is popular across the world, which provides movies, series and documentaries on demand. One of its developers confirmed the use of Vue in building it a few years ago.
However, Netflix also uses React to create initial HTML.
Airbnb
You must have used Airbnb while traveling or looking for homes. It is built by making use of React and React Native. Approximately, 20% of its code is written in React Native.
This social media platform needs no introduction, has over 2 billion active users, and is owned by Meta. It uses React, which was introduced by developers who wanted to make it faster on both Android and iOS.
Nintendo
It is a video game giant and makes use of Vue.js in European regional websites of Germany, France, UK and Spain. They also make use of the Vue framework in their reward system for game accounts.
Give Directly
It is an online platform for donation, where you can directly donate to those affected by poverty. It made use of Vue.js for the front-end development to achieve the project goals effectively and speedily.
Wrapping Up the Code…
So, now we have had a detailed discussion on what is Vue.js and React. We have gone through seven points of comparison between the two and their advantages and disadvantages.
The use cases mentioned also provide an idea about the various applications of both technologies.
All this information put together, will help developers in analyzing the two technologies and choosing one or combination of both for their projects.
You can get in touch with MavenUp for Web design, development, Mobile app development, and other services.
Author Bio:
Victor Ortiz is a Content Marketer with GoodFirms. He likes to read & blog on technology-related topics and is passionate about traveling, exploring new places, and listening to music.
