Frontend developers have a variety of tools at their disposal, and depending on their methods of working and the type of project, some programming languages or frameworks may suit them better than others. Nevertheless, there has been a continued debate over which framework is the best. The best way to help decide a framework to use is to test the different JS frameworks yourself to see which can fulfil your needs the best.
For developers, there are two popular frameworks which are highly valued, and in this blog post, we will be making a quick comparison between Vue.JS and React.JS to help you make the right decision.
What is Vue.JS?
Vue.JS is a highly popular frontend JavaScript framework. This framework focuses on making website development simple, easy to organise, and improving the way developers can transform their ideas into website UI development.
There are many frontend JavaScript frameworks which provide you with all of the features and tools right from the start, but this does come at a cost potentially slowing your website down with a lot of coding. Vue.JS offers a small framework which can be built with layered components, essentially letting you add whatever you need.
What is React.JS?
React.JS is a very popular JavaScript library which is used for building interactive user interfaces. With simplicity, scalability, and speed as its core aims, React enables developers to develop large web applications which can utilise data and efficiently update the components without needing to reload the web page.
For developing larger applications, React.JS enables developers to reuse existing code, so when you develop another application with React, you can very easily restructure it using existing code.
Similarities Between Vue.JS & React.JS
On a feature-wise level, both frameworks share similarities, such as utilising a virtual DOM (document object model) to sync to the real DOM. This process can be optimised in both Vue.JS and React.JS.
- Both frameworks are based on the Virtual DOM model.
- They provide reactivity and a component-based structure.
- JS and React.JS both focus on the core library, while other additional tasks are handled by companion libraries.
Although Vue.JS is not as popular as React.JS, it is one of the fastest growing libraries which indicates how popular it is.
Advantages of Using Vue
Small Library Size
On the of biggest advantages of Vue.JS is the size of its library. The framework is only roughly 25.6kb and around 18kb after gzipping. Developers can use Vue to separate the virtual DOM compiler and even the runtime. Although Vue has a small size, it does consistently outperform other frameworks that are bulkier, such as Angular.
Easy to Understand
Many developers find that Vue is relatively easy to learn and understand, compared to React. The framework is very well documented with detailed steps and guides on multiple use cases and options. There are several elements of Vue that feel very familiar to HTML and CSS, such as the property naming and setup processes. Although Vue.JS has a smaller community than React, there are various communities that are thriving with resources, information, and guides.
Simple Integration
Vue stands out from other JavaScript frameworks as it can be very useful for developing single page applications, or contributing components to other applications. Vue allows you to keep the component’s structure, logic, and style contained into just one file which makes it easy to develop flexible components that can be reused.
Advantages of Using React
Developing Mobile Apps
React can also be used to develop mobile apps, using the React Native library. It looks and feels the same as React.JS, so if you have previous experience with React, you can quickly adapt and understand how to use the library. Essentially, using React Native enables you to develop mobile applications without professional knowledge or skills.
Developing Large Applications
React is more flexible and adjustable than Vue, which makes it ideal for developing larger apps. As Vue.JS uses templates to speed up the development process and make it simpler, it can be difficult to develop bigger apps. When you use a template for a large application, restructuring it and customising it to fit your app may be more difficult or complicated. React enables developers to reuse existing code to build future applications.
Professional Technical Support
React was developed by a professional team at Facebook, which means that the library is well documented with instructions, guides, and manuals. With over 2 million downloads per month, React.JS is a widely discussed and highly popular topic on forums and social media, so you can find a fantastic level of support if you have any questions about the library.
Contact Develo Design for Vue.JS & React.JS
If you need to discuss your requirements for web application development, then please get in touch with one of our friendly experts and we will be glad to help. Our developers take the time to understand your business and your needs in order to assist with your web application or mobile application development.
Call us on 0121 663 0817 or email us at info@develodesign.co.uk.