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What Is Better For Your Web Project: Vue vs React?

Among the numerous technology options available, two prominent contenders vie for the throne: Vue vs React. According to reports from Statista, for the most used web framework among software engineers worldwide, 40.6 percent were using React.js. In another report by GitHub, React leads in popularity at 40.58%, while Vue.js follows with 16.38%. Also, when it comes to Vue vs React comparison, in terms of desirability percentage, React leads at 35.25% and Vue.js at 17.42%. As React.js is more popular, more people go with React over Vue. However, this shouldn't be only what determines what you choose; remember that there is always more to it. Read on as we explore the Vue vs React comparison, providing you with insights, data, and context to help you make an informed choice.

Vue vs React: An Introduction to Two Prominent JavaScript Frameworks

React.js

Almost twelve years ago, Facebook faced a major problem and had to find a solution. It had a significant user base, and Facebook wanted to find a way to enhance user experience with a more dynamic, responsive, and high-performing interface. One of Facebook's software engineers, Jordan Walke, took the effort to develop React with the aim of solving this problem.

What Is Better For Your Web Project: Vue vs React?

React was created to help them streamline the development process by providing a means that is a more organized and structured approach for constructing interactive user interfaces using reusable components. In 2011, it was introduced to Facebook's newsfeed, and in 2013, it quickly became popular in JavaScript's ecosystem after it was made open-source. With React, you can build interactive user interfaces and web applications efficiently and fast while using significantly less code. It allows you to develop apps by creating reusable components. This can be likened to independent Lego blocks. Basically, these said components make up individual pieces of a final interface. Once these components are assembled, it forms the application's entire user interface. Ultimately, React's main role in any application is to manage the view layer of that application, much like the V in a model-view-controller (MVC) pattern, by offering the best and most effective rendering execution.

Vue.js

On the other hand, Vue.js, which is pronounced as "view," was created by Evan You in 2014. While Evan was employed at Google, he was part of the development projects involving a framework called AngularJS. After he left the company, Evan decided to take the best parts of Angular, and then combine them with some of his own concepts, and produce a better framework. It was from this that Vue.js was born. Vue is a JavaScript framework for creating UIs (user interfaces) and was developed to serve as an easy-to-understand and use alternative to heavier frameworks like AngularJS and React. Its focus on the library's view layer only makes it easy to learn. In addition, Vue can also power complex, single-page apps by using advanced tooling and support libraries for more functionality. It uses two-way data binding techniques to ensure that different components of an application using the same data always have the same version of that data.

What Is Better For Your Web Project: Vue vs React?

Vue.js vs React – Which One Should I Choose?

When it comes to the Vue vs React comparison, one of the key considerations most people consider before choosing one is popularity. This is because it often means that the framework has a larger community, more resources, and better long-term support. Although Vue originated from the work of one man, over the years, many people have now become involved in it. In contrast, React is backed by Facebook. As a result of this, even though both Vue and React are open-source, React's backing makes it more trusted among software engineers. React was created with Facebook's needs in mind, which means people who use the framework can rest assured that its developers will always keep it operational and updated as needed. With Vue, it is a different case. Vue's ability to stay running and evolving depends only on its community. Thus, if the said supporters decide to adopt alternative frameworks instead, this puts your project at risk, and it might be replaced by bigger competitors. Nonetheless, although popularity is an important consideration, it shouldn't be the only determining factor of the debate between React vs Vue. In spite of this difference, Vue.js and React share some similarities.

Both React and Vue follow a component-based architecture. This enables developers to develop complex user interfaces by breaking them up into smaller, reusable components that can be reused throughout an entire app. When considering Vue vs React performance, this architectural similarity offers flexibility and efficiency in UI development.

Another similarity React and Vue share is that they both support a variety of use cases. This includes the creation of desktop and mobile applications. Both of them can also be applied to the creation of Progressive Web Applications (PWAs). 

Both are based on JavaScript. JavaScript is the foundation for React and Vue. This, to some extent, explains why there is a React vs Vue debate. 

Virtual DOM: They both make use of a virtual version of the real DOM. This way of rendering the UI removes the source of performance problems and conceals manual DOM manipulation that can be slow and expensive. When evaluating Vue vs React performance, this common use of the virtual DOM ensures smoother and more efficient UI updates.

They both support a popular state management library for JavaScript-Typescript and Redux.

Vue vs React — The Comparison Of Differences

Each framework has its own strengths and weaknesses, and ultimately, the choice between Vue vs React for web applications should be driven by these factors as well as your project's needs.

1
Performance: Vue vs React

One of the very first things most people would consider when choosing a framework is performance. This isn't necessarily a major thing to discuss when it comes to Vue and React because they have a similar architecture: virtual DOM. React now takes roughly 100 kb, while Vue is about 80 kb.

In order to prevent wasting resources loading useless content, both frameworks employ lazy loading. It also enables the site to load faster. Nonetheless, in regard to the Vue vs React performance debate, they both show similar results in performance test results.

2
Learning Curve – Vue.js vs React.js

Developers, most especially those new to front-end development, often look for frameworks that are easier to understand. Generally, Vue.js is known for its easier learning curve. Even those with limited JavaScript experience are more likely to pick up Vue.js quickly. But when it comes to writing a single line of code, Vue beats React because of its clear syntax, especially for beginners. 

React, in contrast, is more difficult to learn compared to Vue.js. However, note that this doesn't necessarily make it an advantage from the business point of view, especially considering the backing React.js has over Vue. 

3
State Management: Vue.js vs React.js

In the React ecosystem, state management is often handled with Redux, a separate library designed specifically for this purpose. State is a general term for the data shared by all UI components. Frameworks, such as Redux, are the only way to change state, which makes debugging easier. 

Especially for larger applications, Vue.js takes a different approach to state management with the help of Vuex. The Vuex library is a state management library made just for Vue.js apps. 

4
Scalability: Vue.js vs React.js

Scalability is an important factor to take into account, especially if you expect your web application's complexity and user base to increase over time. The main difference between Vue and React.js is how they approach HTML, and this influences their learning curve, too:

React is more scalable since it allows programmers to write JavaScript template code. It makes use of a syntax extension (JSX), which allows users to integrate  HTML with JavaScript code. At first look, the process might appear difficult, but the code runs better since it is more concise, resulting in scalable app performance.

Vue, on the other hand, is less scalable due to the fact that Vue uses standard HTML and CSS for its templating. This helps beginners who typically begin their careers by learning these simpler web development methods to understand the framework.

5
Mobile App Development

React Native App Development allows users to build native Android and iOS apps, while Vue has teamed up with NativeScript to create cross-platform apps. 

Facebook released React Native with a focus on mobile app development. This is why it is not surprising that most developers see it as one of the most effective cross-platform frameworks. It is because it allows you to share up to 90% of the code across many operating systems. 

Although there are some Vue.js mobile app frameworks, like NativeScript or WEEX, they are not as popular as React Native.

6
Flexibility:Vue vs React

Vue offers specific components to build application functionality, whereas React allows you to install any component of your choosing. Therefore, when comparing React with VueJS, developers generally prefer React's flexibility, while novices might prefer Vue's approachability. 

7
Vue vs React Market Share

Being a developer, it is possible that your choice between React and Vue might be influenced by a framework's popularity and market share. 

Based on reports, React is 2nd most popular on the Entire Internet in the JavaScript Library category.

In addition,  people tend to find a framework that has a larger community and more job opportunities appealing. React.js is still a developer favorite as of 2023 because of its thriving ecosystem and community support. Nonetheless, Vue.js's simplicity and progressive nature also make it suitable for both small and large projects, contributing to its growing popularity. 

 

Many major companies use React.js. These include: 

  • Instagram: Instagram is one of the most popular social apps using React. 
  • Reddit: Reddit's new app's UI was rebuilt entirely in React. 
  • Facebook: Facebook built React as a framework and uses it.
  • Netflix: Netflix uses both React and Vue in its applications.

Several companies are also among Vue's users. Some examples are: 

  • Nintendo: Nintendo is a popular Japanese video game-producing company.
  • Alibaba: Alibaba.com is a major eCommerce platform that uses Vue.
  • Google Careers: This is an HR portal built in Vue.
8
Tools and Ecosystem

React has an extensive and well-established ecosystem. It also has a range of tools and libraries to meet the different needs of a project. Some of these tools include Flux / Redux for routing and state management. In contrast, Vue is also growing, although, at a slightly slower pace compared to React, it has fewer companion libraries.

9
Testing

React supports key test runners like Jest, Enzyme, and Mocha, amongst others. This streamlines the process for engineers to test the application to find bugs in actual browser contexts, additional functions, and more. As a result, this reduces the testing time. 

In comparison, Vue has not yet developed to offer features beyond its current testing capabilities, and it lacks any significant testing guidelines. It supports tools like Jest, Mocha, or Chai for app unit testing.

React vs Vues Summary Of Differences
 

React.js

Vue.js

Performance

Similar component-based architecture with React, Virtual DOM. 

Similar component-based architecture with React, Virtual DOM. 

Learning Curve

Known for its gentle learning curve, beginner-friendly.

Steeper learning curve, powerful but more challenging for beginners.

State Management

Uses Vuex for state management, integrated with Vue.

Uses Redux, a separate library for state management, which makes debugging easier.

Scalability

Uses standard HTML and CSS, approachable for beginners.

JSX for HTML integration, concise code for better performance. More scalable

Mobile App Development

Teamed up with NativeScript for cross-platform apps.

React Native for native Android and iOS apps, highly effective for cross-platform development.

Flexibility

Specific components for functionality.

Allows installing any component of your choosing, which is more flexible.

Market Share

Growing in popularity but is not as widely adopted as React.

Widely adopted with a larger community and job opportunities.

Companies Using

Alibaba, Nintendo, Google Careers.

Instagram, Reddit, Facebook, Netflix.

Tools and Ecosystem

A growing ecosystem with fewer companion libraries.

Extensive, well-established ecosystem with a wide range of tools and libraries.

Testing

Supports Jest, Mocha, Chai for app unit testing.

Supports key test runners like Jest, Enzyme, Mocha, streamlining the testing process.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both frameworks have their own strengths and suit different project needs. At the moment, React.js is more popular than Vue.js. Nonetheless, consider testing out both options before you opt for one, and consult with your team of developers. In the end, the best framework won't be effective if your team is not skilled enough to navigate the technology required. If you are in search of highly skilled React and Vue developers with a wealth of experience, YouDigital can help you get started. YouDigital has a rich talent pool of IT leaders who can match your project's precise requirements. Get in touch with us today!

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