React vs. Vue

React vs VUE

Kris Muszynski

December 10, 2024 | 6 min read

React vs Vue: which JavaScript framework to choose in 2024?

React and Vue are two leading JavaScript frameworks that have revolutionized the way scalable and modern mobile and web applications are built. With their advanced features, such as efficient DOM manipulation and a wide range of UI libraries, they enable the creation of applications that meet modern users’ expectations for speed, reliability, and attractive design. Wondering which framework will work best for your project? In this article, we’ll help you make an informed decision.

What is React?

React is a powerful JavaScript library designed for building dynamic user interfaces for both web and mobile applications. The official definition describes it as:
“The library for web and native user interfaces.”
This means that React is not limited to being a tool solely for websites. Its versatility makes it a popular choice for projects that require performance, flexibility, and scalability. In this article, we will take a closer look at the features and advantages of React and why it has become the standard in modern application development.

History of React

React has an interesting and dynamic development history, which has contributed to its popularity among developers:

  • 2011 – React, initially named “FaxJS,” was developed by Jordan Walke, an engineer at Meta. It was first used in Facebook’s News Feed, and a year later, in Instagram.
  • 2015 – React Native was introduced, allowing the development of native mobile applications for various platforms using the same syntax as React.
  • April 18, 2017 – Meta announced the introduction of React Fiber, a new rendering system that replaced the previous algorithms. Fiber became the foundation for future improvements and new features.
  • September 26, 2017 – Public release of React 16.0, which brought significant improvements for developers.
  • August 10, 2020 – Release of React 17.0, the first version focused primarily on improving compatibility between versions, without introducing major changes to the API.
  • March 29, 2022 – Release of React 18, which introduced new features such as the concurrent renderer, automatic partitioning, and better support for server-side rendering with Suspense.
  • May 20, 2024 – Release of React 19, introducing features like “use server” for better optimization of server components, advanced document metadata handling for improved SEO, and new hooks like useOptimistic and useFormStatus to enhance state management and user interaction.

React is an ever-evolving library that sets standards for modern application development and continues to gain recognition among developers worldwide.

Who Uses React?

React is one of the most popular JavaScript frameworks, widely used by well-known brands across the globe. Companies with a global reach use React, appreciating its performance and flexibility. Some of the key users of React include:

  • Meta – The creator of the framework, using it on its platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp.
  • Instagram – A Meta-owned app, fully built on React.
  • Airbnb – The popular booking platform uses React in its user interfaces.
  • Pinterest – A social network focused on visual content sharing, using React to improve speed and interactivity.
  • Slack – A popular team communication tool that implements React in its web application.
  • Udemy – An online learning platform that uses React to power its intuitive user interface.

React has gained recognition for its scalability and advanced features, making it an ideal choice for both startups and large corporations.

What is Vue?

Vue is a versatile JavaScript framework designed for building modern and efficient user interfaces. The official definition from Vue’s creators is:
“An approachable, performant and versatile framework for building web user interfaces.”
This means that Vue stands out for its ease of learning, high performance, and flexibility. It is ideal for projects of various scales – from simple applications to complex web systems.

Vue combines the features of traditional libraries with a modern approach to application development, offering functionalities such as:

  • Declarative data binding – easy state management for applications.
  • Components – modularity and code reuse.
  • Reactive model – instant view updates when data changes.

Thanks to its accessibility and advanced features, Vue is particularly popular among developers who value the intuitiveness and efficiency of the tool. It provides an excellent alternative to other frameworks like React or Angular.

History of Vue

Vue.js is a framework created by Evan You, who, while working at Google on AngularJS, saw the potential to create a lighter tool for building user interfaces. As he recalled, he wanted to “extract the part of Angular that he really liked and build something more concise and lightweight.”

  • July 2013 – The first source code of Vue was released on GitHub.
  • February 2014 – Public release of Vue.js.

Vue quickly gained popularity due to its simplicity, flexibility, and intuitive approach. The framework is also known for its unique versioning system, inspired by manga and anime, where each major version (e.g., 3.x) introduces new features, and the previous version (e.g., 2.x) enters a Long-Term Support (LTS) phase for 18 months, followed by a maintenance phase (security fixes only).

Vue has become a solution that has surpassed Angular in many areas, from which it originally drew inspiration. Today, it is one of the most popular JavaScript frameworks in the world, valued for its intuitiveness and performance.

Who Uses Vue?

Vue.js is a popular framework that has been adopted by many well-known companies and projects. Its simplicity, performance, and flexibility have attracted many global brands. Some of the key users of Vue include:

  • Behance – A platform for showcasing portfolios of creative professionals, using Vue for interaction and content display.
  • GitHub – A popular platform for collaboration on source code, which uses Vue in part of its interface.
  • TrustPilot – A review and feedback service, where Vue helps in quickly rendering user data.
  • Nintendo – The Japanese video game giant, using Vue in marketing applications and user interaction.
  • UpWork – A freelance platform that uses Vue to create dynamic user interfaces.
  • Google Careers – Google’s recruitment section, implementing Vue to manage application processes and job listings.

Vue is frequently chosen by companies that require scalable, dynamic interfaces with high performance and ease of integration.

React.js and Vue.js – Why Are They So Popular?

React.js and Vue.js have gained massive popularity among developers worldwide, and their success can be attributed to several key factors. Both frameworks are considered excellent tools for building modern, scalable web applications, offering a range of features and benefits that simplify and accelerate the programming process.

  1. Virtual DOM – A Key Feature of Both Frameworks
    One of the main reasons for the success of both React and Vue is their use of the Virtual DOM. This technology allows for tracking changes in the user interface by comparing the current state of the DOM with its previous version. When differences are detected, the frameworks only update the elements that have changed, significantly improving application performance. This results in smoother app operation for users and less system resource consumption for developers.
  2. Component-Based Architecture
    Both React and Vue use a component-based architecture, meaning applications are built from small, independent parts—components. These components can be reused in various parts of the application, simplifying code management, making testing easier, and enabling better project organization. This approach is especially effective in large applications, where each part of the interface can be developed, tested, and modified separately.
  3. Extensive Component Libraries
    Both frameworks offer extensive component libraries that speed up application development. With ready-made, customizable components, developers can quickly implement new features, saving time and resources. Component libraries boost productivity because they allow for the reuse of existing code in different projects, which is especially useful in larger organizations and team environments.
  4. Support from Large Communities and Ecosystems
    React and Vue benefit from strong support from the developer community. There are plenty of resources, libraries, and tools available that make building applications easier. These communities not only help solve problems but also actively contribute to the development and improvement of these frameworks. As a result, developers have access to comprehensive educational materials and the latest solutions in the rapidly changing world of web technologies.
  5. Scalability and Performance
    React and Vue are designed to create applications that can grow as needed. These frameworks provide mechanisms that allow optimization for performance, making them suitable for both smaller and larger projects. Thanks to their flexibility and ease of state management, both tools are chosen for building advanced, dynamic web applications.

React.js and Vue.js are two frameworks that have revolutionized how the front-end of modern applications is built. Their success is due to features like the Virtual DOM, component-based architecture, support from large communities, and component libraries. With these capabilities, both frameworks offer developers tools that enhance application performance, scalability, and flexibility. These elements are why React and Vue are now among the most popular tools for building web applications.

Reasons for the Creation of React and Vue

React
React was developed by Facebook in response to the challenges of creating dynamic and scalable web applications. A key issue faced by Facebook engineers was efficiently rendering large amounts of data on pages like the Facebook News Feed. Initially, React was used in this project, and later spread to other services, including Instagram.

React was designed to streamline the process of building user interfaces, enabling fast updates to only those parts of the page that had changed, which greatly improved performance. The framework was also built with large projects in mind, focusing on component-based architecture and efficient rendering. Its open-source nature (MIT license) and support from Facebook ensured its widespread popularity among developers worldwide, making it a stable choice for long-term projects.

Vue
Vue was created by Evan You, who had previously worked at Google. After working with frameworks like Angular and Ember, You recognized their potential but also saw certain limitations. Inspired by these tools, he decided to create a framework that would combine the best features of these solutions while offering additional simplicity and flexibility.

Vue’s goal was to enable faster, easier, and more intuitive application development. The framework was developed as an open-source project, with collaboration from the developer community and funding through crowdfunding. Due to its openness and simplicity, Vue quickly gained popularity, particularly among frontend developers. Its flexibility and community support have made it one of the most popular frameworks globally.

Both React and Vue were created to improve the processes involved in building web applications. React emerged in response to Facebook’s need for performance and scalability, while Vue was born out of a desire to simplify application development by combining the best features of other frameworks. Today, both tools are widely used, offering developers flexibility, performance, and strong community support.

React.js and Vue.js – Shared Features of Both Tools

Although React and Vue differ in several key aspects, they share many common features that make them popular choices for building modern web applications. Here are the most important similarities:

  1. Virtual DOM: Both React and Vue use a virtual DOM, which leads to more efficient rendering by updating only the elements that have changed, improving performance.
  2. Reactive Component Structure: Both technologies allow building applications based on components, which are self-contained units of code. This approach simplifies organization and promotes code reuse.
  3. JavaScript as the Base Language: React and Vue both use JavaScript as the core programming language, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of tools and libraries.
  4. TypeScript Support: Both frameworks support TypeScript, enabling developers to write safer, more organized code with strong typing.
  5. Backward Compatibility: React and Vue offer good backward compatibility, making it easier to migrate and maintain applications without major disruptions.
  6. Rich Ecosystem: Both technologies provide access to extensive libraries and tools that accelerate the application development process.
  7. PWA Support: React and Vue both support the creation of Progressive Web Apps (PWAs), enabling the development of modern, fast, and reliable applications.
  8. Flexibility and Performance: Both platforms are known for their high performance and flexibility, allowing them to be adapted to various project requirements.
  9. Active Communities: React and Vue are supported by large, active communities, ensuring access to extensive resources, support, and documentation for developers.

These shared features make both React and Vue highly effective for building scalable, efficient, and maintainable web applications.

Differences Between React.js and Vue.js

Despite their many similarities, React and Vue differ in several key aspects:

  1. Tool Type: React is a JavaScript library, while Vue is a full-fledged framework that offers a more organized approach to building applications.
  2. Rendering Method: React requires the use of JSX to define components, whereas Vue allows developers to use both HTML templates and JSX for component creation.
  3. Available Tools: React provides basic component state management features, with more advanced functionalities offered through external libraries. In contrast, Vue provides more comprehensive tools within the framework itself, which can speed up the initial setup and development process.
  4. User Experience: React offers greater freedom in application development, making it more flexible but potentially more difficult for beginners to grasp. Vue, on the other hand, has a lower learning curve, making it more accessible and beginner-friendly for new developers.

These differences highlight the varying levels of complexity, flexibility, and the development approach between React and Vue, allowing developers to choose based on their needs and experience level.

Popular Applications Built with React.js and Vue.js

React.js:

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Netflix
  • Twitter
  • Skyscanner

Vue.js:

  • Behance
  • GitLab
  • Laracasts
  • Nintendo
  • Alibaba
  • Trustpilot

React offers greater flexibility and is a more mature open-source environment, with a wide range of external libraries supporting advanced projects. In contrast, Vue is more beginner-friendly, with a lower entry threshold and built-in tools, making it a popular choice for smaller teams. The final decision between these two tools depends on the specific project requirements and the team’s experience.

Comparison of Popularity: React vs. Vue

React and Vue are among the most widely used tools for building user interfaces, but they have different development paths and varying popularity across regions and developer communities. Here’s a comparison of their popularity:

  1. Popularity on GitHub
    • React: Created by Facebook, React has garnered significant attention on GitHub with over 205,000 stars.
    • Vue: Although younger, Vue has also achieved an impressive result with over 204,000 stars. Both projects have a strong presence on the platform, indicating their popularity among open-source developers.
  2. Developer Surveys
    • Stack Overflow Developer Survey 2023:
      • React: 42% of developers chose React as their preferred front-end framework.
      • Vue: 18% of developers selected Vue. React remains the most popular choice, especially for larger projects, while Vue is favored by those looking for a simpler and more beginner-friendly tool.
  3. Growth in Popularity Over the Years
    • React: Since its debut in 2013, React has gained tremendous popularity, with key applications like Facebook, Instagram, and Netflix supporting it, helping to maintain its dominant position.
    • Vue: Although Vue was introduced a year later (2014), it has consistently attracted interest, particularly from smaller companies and projects like Alibaba, Xiaomi, and Nintendo. Vue is appreciated for its simplicity, flexibility, and good documentation.
  4. Community and Educational Resources
    • React: React has one of the largest developer communities worldwide, providing a wealth of resources, documentation, and tools. This is especially beneficial for large projects that require extensive support and a robust ecosystem of external libraries.
    • Vue: Vue has a strong community, especially in Asia, particularly in China and Japan, where it’s used by many large companies.
  5. Comparison Statistics for 2024
    • GitHub Stars:
      • React: Over 205K stars.
      • Vue: Over 204K stars.
    • Stack Overflow Developer Survey 2023:
      • React: 42% of developers chose React.
      • Vue: 18% of developers chose Vue.
    • Google Trends:
      • React: Dominates in North America and Europe.
      • Vue: Most popular in Asia, particularly China and Japan.
    • Npm Community:
      • React: Around 18 million weekly downloads.
      • Vue: Around 4 million weekly downloads.

React, while dominant in North America and Europe, remains the most frequently chosen tool among front-end developers, particularly for large-scale projects. Its vast community and strong support in major applications give it a stable position. Vue, though less widespread globally, enjoys significant popularity in Asia, thanks to its simplicity, flexibility, and ease of learning, making it an ideal choice for smaller teams and projects.

Most Popular Frontend Frameworks in 2023 and 2024

In 2023, React.js continues to dominate the frontend tool market, although Vue.js is gaining popularity, particularly among developers looking for a simpler alternative. Here is a detailed comparison of both technologies.

React.js – Dominance in 2023

React.js, created by Meta (formerly Facebook), remains the most frequently chosen tool for building dynamic web applications. Its popularity stems from strong community support and an ecosystem that enables the creation of complex applications. React is regarded as the best choice for complex applications and Single Page Applications (SPA) that require flexible state management and user interactions.

React.js Popularity Statistics:

  • Stack Overflow Developer Survey 2023: 42.65% of votes in the “most liked framework” category.
  • GitHub: Over 178,000 stars, with usage in over 8 million projects.

React is especially appreciated for:

  • Complexity of applications: Ideal for large, complex applications like Instagram or Netflix.
  • Backend and API integration: Its versatility allows for easy integration with various backends.

Vue.js – Growing Popularity

Although Vue.js is less popular on a global scale, it is gaining more followers, especially after the release of Vue 3, which introduced significant improvements (such as a new application build system with Vite). Vue is valued for its simplicity, flexibility, and low learning curve, making it an ideal solution for smaller projects, prototyping, and low-complexity applications.

Vue.js Popularity Statistics:

  • GitHub: Over 204,000 stars.
  • Stack Overflow: 18% of votes in the 2023 survey.

Vue.js excels in:

  • Smaller applications: It offers great performance and is easier to learn, which is beneficial for smaller teams.
  • Prototyping: It enables rapid application development with minimal effort.

Summary

In 2023, React remains the preferred tool for building large, scalable applications, supported by major corporations like Meta. On the other hand, Vue is an excellent option for developers looking for simplicity and flexibility when building smaller applications or prototypes. While React leads in popularity and ecosystem development, Vue continues to grow, particularly gaining popularity in Asia and among smaller projects.

Both technologies have their place in modern frontend development, and their increasing popularity confirms their importance in web application building.