React is a library (not a full framework) focused on building UI components, while frameworks like Angular, Vue, and Svelte provide more opinionated solutions with built-in features. Below is a detailed comparison:
1. React vs. Angular
| Feature | React (Library) | Angular (Framework) |
|---|---|---|
| Type | UI Library (Requires additional tools for routing, state) | Full MVC Framework (Batteries included) |
| Language | JavaScript (or TypeScript) | TypeScript (Strictly enforced) |
| DOM | Virtual DOM (Efficient updates) | Real DOM (Change Detection) |
| Learning Curve | Moderate (Flexible but requires setup) | Steep (Complex concepts like RxJS, Dependency Injection) |
| Data Binding | One-way (Unidirectional) | Two-way (Easier sync but risk of complexity) |
| State Management | External (Redux, Context API) | Built-in (Services, RxJS) |
| Performance | Fast (Virtual DOM) | Slower (Due to heavier architecture) |
| Best For | SPAs, Dynamic UIs, Cross-platform (React Native) | Enterprise apps, Large-scale projects |
2. React vs. Vue
| Feature | React | Vue |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Library (Flexible, needs extra tools) | Progressive Framework (Scales as needed) |
| Syntax | JSX (JavaScript + HTML) | Templates (HTML-based) |
| State Management | External (Redux, Zustand) | Built-in (Pinia, Vuex) |
| Learning Curve | Moderate (Requires JS knowledge) | Easier (Gentler learning curve) |
| Performance | Fast (Virtual DOM) | Fast (Reactivity system) |
| Ecosystem | Larger (More third-party tools) | Smaller but growing |
| Best For | Complex UIs, Large teams | Quick prototyping, Small to medium apps |
Tags: react-vs-vue, jsx-vs-templates, progressive-frameworks, reactivity-system, frontend-frameworks
3. React vs. Svelte
| Feature | React | Svelte |
|---|---|---|
| Compilation | Runs in browser (Virtual DOM) | Compiles to vanilla JS (No Virtual DOM) |
| State Management | useState, Context, Redux | Built-in stores (No boilerplate) |
| Performance | Fast (But needs diffing) | Faster (Direct DOM updates) |
| Bundle Size | Larger (Runtime needed) | Smaller (No runtime overhead) |
| Learning Curve | Moderate (Hooks, JSX) | Easier (Less boilerplate) |
| Best For | Large-scale apps, Reusable components | Small apps, Performance-critical projects |
When to Choose React?
✔ Flexibility – Use only what you need (unlike opinionated frameworks).
✔ Reusable Components – Ideal for large-scale, dynamic UIs.
✔ Rich Ecosystem – Huge community (Redux, Next.js, React Native).
✔ Cross-Platform – React Native for mobile apps.
When to Choose Other Frameworks?
- Angular → Enterprise apps with strict structure.
- Vue → Faster development for small/medium apps.
- Svelte → Performance-focused, lightweight apps.
Final Verdict
- React is best for flexibility, scalability, and ecosystem.
- Angular suits enterprise-grade applications.
- Vue is great for quick development and simplicity.
- Svelte is ideal for performance and minimalism.