ReactJS vs React Native – Major Differences You Need to Consider

Not sure which one to choose – ReactJS or React Native? Well, this blog post will help you choose the right one. We have compared ReactJS vs React Native in detail to give you a better idea of which technology is best for you.

React is maintained by Facebook, Instagram, and a vast community of developers and corporations. Some of the leading websites using ReactJS development services include Netflix, Facebook, Instagram, Feedly, Airbnb, Walmart, HelloSign, Bleacher Report, SeatGeek, and more.

React Native mobile app development is quite similar to ReactJS development services, however, there are major differences that you need to consider. But before that, let’s first understand each of the two platforms.

What is ReactJS?

ReactJS is a JavaScript library that supports frontend as well as server. It is used to build fast user interfaces for mobile apps and websites.

What is React Native?

React Native is a complete cross-platform app development framework that uses ReactJS for creating apps and websites. The framework compiles to native app components which help developers to develop mobile apps that can perform flawlessly on multiple platforms such as Android, iOS, Windows in JavaScript.

Moreover, ReactJS is used to develop components under React Native, and React Native implements ReactJS under their framework.

When comparing ReactJS vs React Native, both technologies come with powerful features that make them unique. Let’s have a look at some of the key features of ReactJS and React Native.

Key Features of ReactJS

  • Super-Fast Speed with Virtual DOM
  • One of the key features of ReactJS is its ability to bring in super-fast speed for the developed websites and applications using the Document Object Model (DOM). React builds an in-memory data structure cache that computes the resulting differences and then seamlessly updates the DOM displayed by the browser. The developer writes the code as if the whole web page is rendered whenever any changes are made. In reality, those sub-components which are changed are only rendered.

    This is one advantage you get with ReactJS development services. Since speed is one of the key factors for creating a successful mobile app, ReactJS is the best solution.

  • ReactJS Improves SEO
  • Since ReactJS can handle server-side rendering, it helps in improving the SEO of a webpage or application to attract huge organic traffic. The indexing and caching of the content become faster when a Google bot visits a server that has already rendered the content. Besides, if the content is directly indexed by the Google bot from the server side, the loading time of the page decreases significantly. The fast visibility of web pages improves the overall user experience. This is another reason why businesses prefer investing in a ReactJS development company.

  • Large Ecosystem of Developer Tools
  • ReactJS is supported by a large community of individual developers who have developed a huge ecosystem of tools, IDEs, component libraries, web browsers, extensions for code editors, and a lot more. It provides a rich set of third-party tools and extensions that helps in creating a new dimension of innovation while saving resources and time. This is why many enterprises opt for ReactJS development services for creating innovative websites and applications.

    Key Features of React Native

  • Ability to Generate Platform-specific Code
  • This is one of the greatest advantages of using React Native mobile app development. React Native automatically identifies the platform on which it is being run. In this way, it generates code according to the detected platform

  • React Native Apps Can Be Created by Even Frontend Developers
  • As most of the code in React Native is JavaScript, it enables frontend developers to build an app quickly. With the knowledge of JavaScript, specifically ReactJS, platform APIs, some native UI elements, and any platform-specific design patterns, front-end developers can easily pick up the technology.

    Since React Native is easy to use and has a smooth learning curve, even non-programmers build apps with ease.

  • Faster Development Due to the Hot Reloading Feature
  • ReactJS comes with the Hot Reloading feature that allows developers to reload the mobile app automatically. This speeds up the development process and saves time. This is one reason that compels businesses to hire React Native developers for their projects.

  • Seamless UI Experience with Ready-to-use UI Libraries
  • The React Native ecosystem contains component UI libraries Shoutem, Expo, native base, and others that can be used to create a seamless UI experience. These libraries save the time required to build them from the ground up. So, instead of spending time on creating libraries from scratch, you can focus more on innovation and ideas.

    ReactJS vs React Native – Key Differences

    While both ReactJS and React Native are quite similar, there are a few considerable differences as well. Some of the differences include:

  • While ReactJS is the base derivative of React DOM for the web-based platform, React Native is a base derivative in its own, that is, the components change except the syntax and workflow.
  • ReactJS is a JavaScript library that helps developers to build an engaging and high-performing UI Layer. React Native, on the other hand, is a complete framework for developing apps for multiple platforms like iOS, Android, or web.
  • The browser code in ReactJS is rendered using virtual DOM in ReactJS, while components in mobile are rendered using native APIs in React Native.
  • ReactJS-based applications render HTML in UI whereas React Native uses JSX, which is JavaScript, to render UI.
  • In ReactJS, CSS is used for creating styling whereas, in React Native, the stylesheet is used for styling.
  • The animation can be done using CSS like web development in ReactJS, whereas in React Native, the animation is induced using an animated API across various components of the React Native mobile app
  • If you want to build a dynamic, high-performing, and responsive UI for web interfaces, then you should opt for ReactJS development services. However, if you want to create a mobile app with a truly native look and feel, then it is wise to hire React Native developers.
  • As a professional ReactJS development company, we provide the right guidance and suggestions to help our clients in selecting the best-fit platform that meets their project requirements. If you have any queries related to ReactJS or React Native, you may get in touch with our ReactJS experts right away!

    ReactJS vs React Native – Which Technology to Choose?

    When comparing ReactJS vs React Native, both technologies are ideal for app and web development because of their flexible functionalities and an extensive ecosystem of libraries.

    If you want to build apps with high functionality and complex calculations, then you should opt for ReactJS development services. If you need to build a mobile app with a truly native feeling, then React Native mobile app development can be the best option for you.

    Being an experienced ReactJS development company, we offer comprehensive ReactJS development services to build high-performing web and applications using ReactJS or React Native. Whether you’re to looking to hire React Native developers or ReactJS developers, you can hire them from us at affordable rates and as per your requirements.

    FAQs

    Q.1. What are the drawbacks of ReactJS?
    Ans. Some of the drawbacks of ReactJS include:

  • Increased overhead costs and time
  • Steeper Learning Curve
  • Requires external library support
  • Long data hierarchy
  • Q.2. What are the drawbacks of React Native?
    Ans. Some of the drawbacks of React Native include:

  • Lack of native libraries
  • Loosely-held abstraction layer
  • Takes more time to initialize the runtime for devices
  • A lot of native workarounds is required
  • License and Patenting issues
  • Q.3. Is React an MVC framework?
    Ans. React is not an MVC framework. It allows the development of reusable UI components that displays the data that changes over time.

    Have More Questions? You May Ask Our ReactJS Experts to Clear All Your Doubts and Queries.