Deciding on which frontend JavaScript framework to choose between React.js and Vue.js could be a challenging task to do!
What not it makes you think to settle on one?
From accessibility to what sort of results a JavaScript framework would provide, you have to think it all through.
Let’s understand it in a better way with an example- React.js vs. Vue.js.
How to decide, out of React js vs Vue js, which of the JavaScript Framework would assist your web and application project better? Or should you go and hire a React JS developer or the Vue JS programmer?
Taking such a decision could be challenging if you don’t know about them to the core.
However, learning if a framework satisfies a specified criteria, allows you to have a more rational approach. The science behind this approach is pretty simple. All you have to do is compare your options on similar grounds, and the one scoring more would be your winner.
We will be showing the same method in reference to React JS and Vue JS as you move ahead in this article. Both React JS and Vue JS are JavaScript libraries, which when combined with a tool become a framework. That’s how we will be referring i.e., in the context of working as frameworks to them, in this write-up.
But we shouldn’t forget that to know what happens in the end; we must go through every step.
So, keeping the step-by-step strategy in mind, let’s proceed with the very first step of how to decide.
The Criteria – How to Make the Decision?
While deciding one JavaScript framework is not easy, specific criteria should be kept in mind for a wise choice. For React.js vs. Vue.js decision, these points should be kept in mind while deciding:
- Speed and performance
- Suitability as per project’s needs
- Size of JS code
- Learning Curve
- API design for maintenance
- Features for testing
- Availability of in-built tools
- Community support
- API’s stability
- Availability of skilled developers
The decision can not be taken just like that. Besides the technical points, there are a few more points that need to be acknowledged. As per W2S Solutions, various other things such as the purpose of your app, cost, time to market, etc. also influence the decision of making the choice. You have to consider each and every aspect before finalizing.
Now that you have developed an idea about what to consider while deciding let’s move on to the next step, which is, discovering the basics of React js vs Vue js.
Overview
The frameworks have been following the MVC (Model-View-Controller) pattern. And React JS and Vue JS are the eminent players in this field.
While React JS is somewhat leading the race, Vue JS, too, is leaving no stone unturned to catch up.
Here’s a take at the details.
React JS
ReactJS, developed by Facebook, is an open-source JavaScript library that aids with building interactive UI (User Interface).
React JS can perform very well on both the server-side and client-side.
Where, on the one hand, it specializes in creating single-page applications, it can also be used to build cross-platform applications. React JS uses the Virtual DOM, which allows it to develop a particular data structure for making changes along with updating the browser.
It also makes the process of coding simplified and seamless, which further lets developers reuse the codes for faster development.
The big labels using React JS include Facebook, Yahoo, WhatsApp, Airbnb, Instagram, Netflix, Microsoft, New York Times, Dropbox, etc.
Perks of Using React JS
Easy Learning Curve: In React js vs. Vue js, in comparison, React JS is undoubtedly an easy one to learn. You just need to have the basic knowledge of HTML and CSS to work efficiently with React JS.
Codes Can be Reused: The best part about React JS is the provision to reuse the codes. Developers can develop code and reuse it when they are working on a project.
Unidirectional Flow of Data: In the case of React JS, the flow of data is unidirectional, that is, only in one direction. This means that the larger and smaller data don’t stay connected, and changes can be made quickly without much trouble.
SEO-Friendly: Throwing dust over all the myths, React JS has proven to be SEO-friendly, which means that React JS can perform well on the server-side, and the Virtual DOM is rendered as the ordinary web page on the browser. According to Kody Technolab, some SEO practices for your React JS app can be adapted to make it SEO-friendly.
Simple Framework: The component-based approach of React JS makes it a well-defined, simple, and scalable option. What offers more to this point is the fact that React JS uses a unique syntax called the JSX. This allows React JS to make use of both JavaScript and HTML.
Vue JS
Vue JS, by the hands of Evan You, made its debut in 2014. It is an open-source JavaScript framework that not just simplifies the entire process of web development but also helps in creating some phenomenal applications. The core library in Vue JS is focused on the view layer only. With such incredible advantages, Vue JS has turned the eyes of many developers towards itself.
The ability to create striking UIs for the web, re-render without any need for you to do anything, allowing you to develop compact and robust components along with adding components are some noteworthy advantages of Vue JS.
The big labels using Vue JS for web development include Facebook, Netflix, Grammarly, Xiaomi, Adobe, Alibaba, etc.
Perks of Using Vue JS
Smaller Size: The file size with Vue JS is quite small in comparison to others. This is one of its significant advantages. You can divide the template to the Virtual DOM compiler.
Comprehensive Documentation: We can’t deny that Vue JS stands above React JS in this area. The detailed, i.e., comprehensive documentation, is what Vue JS is very well known for.
Easy Integration: Now, what draws a distinction here is the ability of Vue JS to develop both SPAs (Single Page Applications), and adding more to the components in the current apps. It has component logic along with the structure and makes them contained in a single file.
Effortless Understanding and Development: Since Vue JS has large scale templates, it is quite easy to understand. This saves ample development time on the developers’ end. With its simple structure, you can find the errors in the block easily and correct them.
Two-way Communication: Vue JS provides the benefit of two-way communication. It is responsible for speeding up the HTML blocks handling. Vue JS to help the working with multiple components, support one-way flow too.
As stated by C# Corner, the component communication in Vue JS has a lot to discover.
Versatility: Various elements such as JSX, ES6, routing, and bundling are the contributors to the versatility of Vue JS. The developer, even if they are working on any other JS framework, can switch to Vue JS easily.
Similarities Between React JS and Vue JS
You must be wondering, ‘Why.’
When you are here to know the differences between React JS and Vue JS, why is there a section of similarities between them?
Well, to understand the differences between the two, you first have to know how similar they are. When we talk about in-depth knowledge, the similarities as well count, and that too, before the differences. Once you realize how similar they are, then only you’ll be able to follow their diversity.
Now finally speaking of similarities between React JS and Vue JS, they have a lot in common. Both are UI JavaScript frameworks ensuring a vibrant and friendly performance and experience.
Here’s what’s more common between React Js and Vue Js
Virtual DOM: One of the significant similarities between React JS and Vue JS is the usage of Virtual DOM.
As per bitsofcode Virtual DOM has some needs associated with it that make it worth using.
Component-Based Architecture: Both React and Vue JS possess a component-based architecture, which implies dividing your app into different parts of related functionality.
Develop Tools: Both React JS and Vue JS own bootstrap applications that allow you to start with your development. In React JS, it is known as CRA (Create React App), while in Vue JS, it is called vue-cli.
Chrome Devtools: React JS and Vue JS have Chrome extensions as well that help in debugging along with you being able to look at the application state data and updates.
Frameworks: Another similarity between React JS and Vue JS is how they manage frameworks. Both of them concentrate on the UI layer and leave functionality.
React.js vs. Vue.js: Comparison
After noting the similarities between React JS and Vue JS, we can now successfully move on to the difference between the two.
Development Speed: If we talk about speed, then both React JS and Vue JS are similar. There is the availability of multiple libraries, additional packages, and frames that allow rapid development.
The rest depends upon the expertise and skills of the developer you hire.
Support From Community: React JS, in comparison to Vue JS, has more questions on discussion forums along with more npm packages for developers. The community of React JS is bigger and more robust than Vue JS. As a matter of fact, React JS is the best and most popular JavaScript library with massive support from the community and a good knowledge base.
State Management Solutions: When you scale up your app, there is a high need to focus on state management and data flow as there are some components that may communicate with each other and share the data.
React JS offers the Flux/Redux architecture for data flow in one direction, while Vue JS has Vuex for a whole new efficient experience.
In the opinion of Kent C. Dodds, state management with React JS can be done using a simplified manner.
Maturity Standards: Using immature tools for the development of your project may result in not-so-productive results and an unintentional invitation to bugs. And both React JS and Vue JS have excellent support and mature history of tools. Both because of their immense popularity can get support from their developer’s community for prolific results. However, React JS has still got more points on its side.
Re-rendering and Optimization: The mechanism of React JS makes the re-rendering of the whole component tree possible whenever a component’s state gets modified. But, to reduce the possibility of re-rendering of unnecessary components, you have to use more properties. Vue JS, on the other hand, offers optimized re-rendering. The system handles dependencies and works as per the need during render.
Flexibility: Vue JS aids the development of a project with the necessary tooling and offers multiple functionalities. While not offering any functionality, the React JS just demands you to use Redux.
Mobile App Development: React JS has the support of React Native for mobile app development by making use of JavaScript. It supports dynamic and promising iOS and Android development. Vue JS integrates with NativeScript and uses XML, CSS, JavaScript for cross-platform app development. However, React JS has better solutions for mobile app development.
Concluding the comparison between the two, we can say that while React JS has got more added advantages, Vue JS is no less.
According to IMAGINARY CLOUD, creating the same application using React JS and Vue JS individually shares a significant portion of differences.
What to Use When?
After going through both similarities and differences, we can establish which one suits better in which situation.
React JS has a more extensive development community that provides constant support along with the dedication to make meaningful improvements. It is indeed ideal for the development of large-scale applications. The lightweight and smooth version migration are some considerable benefits of React JS.
On the other hand, if you need to build an application with features including modernity, quickness, and lightweight UI library, Vue JS is the best option. The development cycle with Vue JS becomes extremely rich with the reusability of codes.
The Bottom Line
As we arrive at the finish or bottom line, you may find yourself in a better position of making a decision.
In the comparison of React js vs. Vue js, both are equally efficient and capable of taking the development of your project to the new heights of success. The decision to hire dedicated React JS developers or Vue JS developers after understanding the differences depends on your project’s needs. Different needs demand different solutions.
If your web development project is a little complex, then React JS has got your back, while if it’s an easy and lightweight one, Vue JS is good to go with.
Don’t forget to consider your individual needs and ensure to end your analysis with wise choices.
Once done and dusted with that, you are all set to set foot on board with the development process!
