Reactjs vs Vuejs: A Comparative Analysis [Basics]

There has been a long discussion about which platform is better when it comes to web development, leading to a long battle of React.js vs. Vue.js. Some of the things that you can consider while comparing the two are overarching software development trends, their features, different statistics, number of downloads, community contributions, Github stars, and so on. Still, the most important thing is to choose the one that fits the needs of the project in question. 

Choosing a tech stack is always tiresome. You need to account for many factors, including availability of resources, project objectives, target audience and what they expect, platform, time and budget constraints. To make a solid decision, you also need to know the pros and cons of each available framework. Selecting a framework that fits your needs is a top priority for your project. 

Basic Information on Reactjs and Vuejs

One of the most popular programming languages globally is JavaScript (JS), and Vuejs and Reactjs are the most popular frameworks written in JS.  The following post will provide you with ample information on Reactjs and Vuejs, helping you decide which will fit your web development project best.

The popularity of JS is almost undisputable. Many tech giants all over the world are leveraging it in their software development efforts. Although there other programming languages for web development, JS has long become the go-to language for creating appealing and functional websites and web tools. As a software development company who has been on the market for over a decade, Intellectsoft cannot afford to overlook what the programming language brings to the table. 

Vue.js and React.js. are written in JavaScript, and are very popular in web development projects. At the end of this article, you will be able to make a decision on which of the two will work best for your project. You cannot make such a decision unless you understand the real difference between Vue.js and React.js. 

On the surface, Vue.js and React are interface design frameworks, but let’s dig a bit deeper.

What is Vue.js?

Vue.js is an open-source JS framework that is used to develop single-page apps. You can also use it as a website application framework that simplifies the web development process. This software has attracted a lot of attention from developers all over the world who want to build fantastic web applications. 

It is a progressive framework that you can use to build eye-catching UIs for your website. Vuejs was created by Evan You and saw the light of the digital day in 2014. You is a former Google developer who was using Angular JS. He chose to build a lightweight product that excludes the Angular framework’s pain points. 

So many things make Vuejs popular. The most common one is that it has the ability of re-rendering without any action. It allows developers to build small, reusable, but robust components. Therefore, it is a composable framework that will enable you to add elements wherever there is a need. 

Some of the top companies that use Vue.js include Laracats, Gitlab, Codeship, Alibaba, Xiaomi, Behance, Grammarly, Adobe, Netflix, and Facebook, among others.

What is React.js?

React.js is the other popular JavaScript framework. The Facebook community backs this platform, and it eases the work of building interactive UIs. 

The market has so many JavaScript frameworks that are doing an excellent job in terms of reliability and performance. However, people prefer to use React.js instead of these other MVC (model-view-controller) frameworks. 

Why is this the case? The reason is that React is a library that developers use to create good reusable components for eye-pleasing web products. It is ideal for elements that represent dynamic data. React allows you to break reusable UIs into parts instead of making use of HTML or templates. 

You can use the React Native framework to build mobile applications in JavaScript. Also, React presents the use of JSX or JavaScript XML that is a Syntax extension of JavaScript. React does not necessarily require JSX, but it is helpful and easy in debugging and creating UI components. 

Some of the top companies that use React.js include Microsoft, Asana, Airbnb, Dropbox, Codecademy, WhatsApp, Yahoo, New York Times, Netflix, Instagram, and Facebook, to name a few. 

Vue or React: Which One is the Best? 

These two frameworks have several similarities. The design of both allows them to work with root libraries. Secondly, both Vue.js and React.js are based on the virtual DOM model. The two tools possess a component-based structure. 

However, the two frameworks also have their differences. It is good to understand the pros and cons of each of them before making the final decision. Here is an overview of the pros and cons of Reactjs and Vuejs. 

Vue.js vs. React.js: Framework Size 

Framework Size Chart Source, taken from here.

An Overview of the Benefits and Drawbacks of React.js

Pros and cons of React.js 

React.js pros

• The platform offers a high level of responsiveness and flexibility.
• It is based on a Virtual DOM, therefore, it supports a browser-friendly arrangement of your documents in the XML, XHTML, or HTML model. 
• The framework has a rich JS library, and contributors globally continue adding more features to it. 
• It is an excellent platform for large-scale apps because of its scalability and flexible structure. 
• Professional developers from React back this framework and look for ways of improving it. Therefore, it is a platform that continually evolves. 
• You can use the React component model to develop native rendered apps for both Android and iOS. Therefore, it supports both mobile and web platforms. 

React.js cons

The main challenge of React.js is that it has a steep learning curve. It has a complex structure, functions, properties, and setup process. You need in-depth knowledge to build a single application.

When it comes to Vuejs vs Reactjs, the former has fewer downloads and is less popular in building web applications and single-page applications. However, Vuejs’s architecture has adaptable features that still make it a highly popular framework, with up-to-date packages and libraries. 

Pros and cons of Vue.js 

Vue.js pros

• Vue.js is an easy-to-use platform. It embraces standard HTML-based templates that revamp an existing application and make it easy to use. 
• The framework has smooth integration, whether it is a complex web interface or single-page application.  
• This platform has a small size but is known for its high performance. 
• Vue.js has well-written documentation, so it is easy to learn how to use it.
• The next benefit of this framework is adaptability. It has an efficient and simple structure, provides hassle-free migration and reusable templates. 

Vue.js Cons

This framework has a smaller market share when you compare it with React and Angular. While its popularity is growing, you can still have issues with large-scale app development when using the Vuejs. 

On the other hand, it has great potential in achieving milestones in website development given its flexibility, speed, and core features. 

Stars on GitHub chart, taken from here.

An In-depth Comparison of Reactjs and Vuejs Architecture

• Building Tools

Both frameworks are excellent when it comes to the tools. With no or little configuration, you may create applications that will get you up and running, with the latest templates and practices. The Reactjs architecture has CRA (Create React App) while the Vue.js has the Vue-cli. These two bootstrap tools deliver a flexible and comfortable environment for web development. 

• State Management and Routing Solutions

Both Vue.js and React.js are component-based frameworks. Therefore, you need to pay close attention to data flows and state management when you scale up an application. The reason is that you have several components sharing data and interacting with one another. In this case, React provides an innovative solution that called Redux/Flux architecture. It is an alternative to the renowned MVC architecture and represents an in unidirectional data flow. The Vue.js framework also has a more advanced architecture that is referred to as Vuex. 

• Optimization and Rendering 

Rendering is the determining factor when its come to the Reactjs vs Vuejs. The mechanism of React.js prompts the re-rendering of the whole component tree when you change the state of the component. It may require you to use additional properties to avoid needless re-rendering of the subcomponents. 

The re-rendering feature of Vue is available out of the box. It offers optimized re-rendering as the system tracks the dependencies during rendering. This feature is what makes Vuejs stand out and the choice of many developers worldwide.

• HTML vs. JSX

React uses a declarative JS XML (JSX) that allows developers to leverage the power of JavaScript to write components. Meanwhile, Vue.js creates views using HTML templates. 

HTML templates are more familiar and help in revamping the current version of the application to help you benefit from the reactivity feature of Vue.js. As most developers are familiar with HTML, it is easy to grasp it.

When to Use React.js over Vue.js

React has a more mature and larger development community of professionals who work hard to advance the platform. Facebook powers React and it has several projects, resources, solutions, and use cases with the framework. Still, Vuejs may also bring a lot of benefits to your project.

Let’s compare the frameworks’ components back to back.

Notable Features: React.js and Vue.js components

Vuejs and Reactjs Best Practices

• When to Opt for Vue.js over React

Would you like to craft a high-end single page application using a modern, faster, and lightweight library? Vue.js will probably be choice then. It has several advantages for developers who have experience working with HTML. Besides, Vuejs components are reusable, making it the best choice for building unmatched user experiences in web applications. However, both frameworks are excellent options to use in building modern JS apps. 

• Cross-Platform App Development? Vue Vs React Performance

Cross-platform app development is widely popular and the two platforms are continuously evolving to a smooth development process. React Native is mature and widely applied in native rendered apps. On the other hand, Weex from Vue is aso evolving and aims at ensuring a smooth web development process for Android and iOS.

Quick Comparative Approach of Vue and React 

Summary

There is no considerable difference between Vue.js and React.js. The decision that you will make is largely subjective, depending on your unique needs. If you would like to integrate a front-end JS framework in an existent application, the best choice is Vue.js. If you want to use JavaScript to build single-page mobile apps, React.js will be your number one choice. 

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