Being among the most popular and widely used tools for web application front-end development, React vs Vue is certainly a tough pick. Both frameworks are highly efficient and offer great features, making the job of a developer convenient. However, both have their use cases and target different business needs.
This blog would first cover the popularity and purpose of a web application, followed by differences between React vs Vue, and lastly, the use cases. We intend to help a reader make an informed decision while choosing between React and Vue for their web application development.
Research and statistics show that the number of people searching for and downloading new apps has dropped significantly. According to Statista, users downloaded 25.6 billion apps on Play store and study indicate that there was slight drop in the number of app downloads as compared to first quarter of the year. While the app store recorded 8.4 million downloads during Q1 2024.
Web applications, on the other hand, have become more popular and widely used in contemporary times. These applications are easily accessible, more convenient for users, and in addition, involve less development costs, with more engagement.
Google Docs or Google Sheets, Zoom, and Microsoft 365 are the most commonly used and so the most popular web applications.
Twitter with its PWAs was able to achieve a 65% increase in page views per session, a 75% increase in Tweets sent, and also, a 20% decrease in bounce rate.
Research shows that one in 5 users never relaunch an app after 1 session. Offering users to install a Progressive web application (PWA) directly from a browser thus seems to be a smarter move. PWAs with their smaller size and quick installation process, provide businesses with a higher chance of successful user onboarding (from website to the app), eventually decreasing development costs and subsequently increasing marketing ROI.
Flipkart built its first PWA a few years ago and nearly 70% of its new customers from small towns and cities came through web applications just within 2 years of its rolling out.
Moreover, the smaller size of the PWA core helped Tinder cut load times from 11.9 seconds to 4.69 seconds and have users engaging — and swiping right — at an all-time high.
Comparison between the data investment for Tinder Online vs the native apps
The stack overflow survey 2024 states that 39.5% of developers are using React.js to develop web applications while 15.4% use Vue.js.
In fact, React js was used by 39.5% of developers in 2024.
Let’s see the key differences between React and Vue:-
1. React is an open-source JavaScript library developed by Meta in 2013, while Evan You, founder of Vue Technology LLC created Vue in 2014, using ReactJS as a source of inspiration for it. Vue is a progressive JavaScript framework.
2. As far as the approach to rendering content to Document Object Model (DOM) is concerned, React uses JavaScript Syntax Extension (JSX) for creating React components, while Vue uses HTML templates apart from JSX.
Moreover, Vue is most popular among HTML developers in contrast to React which is loved by JavaScript developers who want to style and code everything using JavaScript/ES7.
3. React has competent architecture, Virtual DOM manipulation, and component state management, providing developers with more freedom in terms of tools (pre-built and third-party). However, new developers may be overwhelmed by the abundance of third-party tools/instruments.
The widespread tools and libraries are developed by the core team for Vue. Additionally, there are community-based solutions as well. Therefore, this framework has a more balanced number and combination of third-party and pre-built tools. This helps both experienced developers and new ones to work smoothly through the tools.
4. Since React is backed by Meta, it is more popular and has a larger community. In fact, React has over 187k GitHub stars along with a continuously growing community. Whereas, Vue has a smaller community, and limited resources and modules.
5. React is simple to pick up for someone who has already worked with JavaScript. Furthermore, the formation of a team becomes easier due to the lower learning curve, since any beginner or professional developer can engage. In fact, React js was used by 40.14 percent of developers in 2021.
Vue, on the other hand, is the simplest framework to study and understand all the JavaScript frameworks. It is estimated to take anywhere from a few hours to less than a week to learn.
6. Performance (Speed wise) of an application developed using React is simply quicker than an application created using Vue. React applications have a simpler performance in experience for users and also components that function well together.
Applications developed using Vue on the other hand become more unclear if any addition of new option or components take place, taking more time to load. However, the lazy loading feature of Vue helps in reducing the load time to some extent.
Feature | React | Vue |
Type | Library to build UI | Framework |
Syntax | JavaScript | JavaScript and HTML |
Application Types | Single- page Apps | Advanced Single –page Apps and supports Native apps |
Ideal for | Modern web development and also native-rendered apps for iOS and Android | Ideal for web development and single-page applications |
Learning Curve | Medium | Easy |
Flexibility | If you want to have flexibility in the development environment | If you want to have separation of concerns |
Model | Based on Virtual DOM (Document Object Model) | Based on Virtual DOM (Document Object Model) |
Data binding | One-way | Two-way |
Scalability | More scalable | Less scalable |
Community Support | Meta developers’ community | Open-source project sponsored through crowd-sourcing |
Language Preference | Recommends the use of JSX – JavaScript XML | HTML templates and JavaScript |
Let’s look at the suitability of both frameworks in terms of project nature and scale.
Some of these use cases would help you decide better the framework that suits your business nature along with your needs.
PayPal used React js to enhance the navigational workflows, bookmarks, and rendering of their payment gateway application initially.
Meta uses React js in their Facebook Ads Manager presently; at the same time, the Meta web app is built with more than 20,000 React js components.
Netflix used React in enhancing performance and in addition, limiting processing times to the earliest for a more seamless user experience.
Twitter uses React to add updated content, enhance user experience, and create browser-based UI. They revamped their site’s front-end architecture using React and came up with the PWA version.
Google Careers is built using Vue, facilitating a map of job opportunities, interactive content, and more.
Behance, part of Adobe, is developed using Vue. It showcases creative work and portfolios, connecting individual talents and companies globally.
GiveDirectly, the first of its kind and largest NPO that facilitates the exchange of funds between donors and the needy was created using Vue.
While both frameworks are widely used, they come with their own list of pros and cons.
While React is a tried-and-tested framework with strong corporate backing and a significant open-source group, Vue on the other hand is still a growing frontend development name. In fact, React ranks fourth ‘Most loved frameworks of Stack Overflow 2021’ list and was also featured in the ‘Topmost wanted frameworks’ by Stack Overflow.
While React is better at performance and its library is more scalable, Vue is easier to learn and has the best documentation in the industry.
The choice should eventually depend upon the reader’s business needs. Go for React if a large application has to be built with ease of development. On the other hand, if a business needs a simple application with the best documentation and easy integration, then Vue is the way to go.
Therefore, React app development or Vue app development largely depends upon what the business is seeking.
Yes, React is a JavaScript framework.
Following are the similarities between Vue and React:
1. Both support PWA
2. Usage of Virtual DOM is common
3. View both composable and reactive components
4. JavaScript code
5. Prioritize a core library, with partner libraries managing networking and universal state management
6. Ability to integrate with any existing web app
Vue and React both face security issues. However, Vue applications are slightly easier to protect than React-based apps.
The React library is more scalable, allowing businesses to develop more complex enterprise-level applications. This is primarily due to a lot of architecture and success stories built in React and made it Open source on GitHub/Bitbucket
Vue should be used when you need to build a simpler and much faster web application, or if you need enhanced and comprehensive documentation. It is more convenient to develop template-based applications.