Top Points of ReactJS vs React Native Difference You Should Know
Introduction
A user-friendly web and mobile application with advanced features can strengthen online presence of the company. These days, several tools and technologies are available for developing customized web and mobile app solutions. Out of them, ReactJS and React Native have gained ground among developers as robust and reliable technologies.
In this post, we will dig deep into ReactJS vs React Native difference. Let’s start with the overview of ReactJS (also known as React) and discuss its importance.
ReactJS- Overview and Importance
ReactJS is a robust JavaScript library that is useful for building interactive, dynamic web applications and single-page apps. In a worldwide survey of finding the most used JavaScript tech stack in 2024, React JS secured the top position. Over 14 percent of respondents preferred this technology.
Source: Statista
React JS web development company can build interactive and engaging web app solutions using this library. Moreover, as it gives fast and interactive UI, developers can use this library to create dynamic web and mobile apps. Large-scale companies and SMEs can use this open-source, JavaScript library to get user-friendly web solutions.
React Native- Overview and Importance
It is one of the most popular, open-source, UI software development frameworks. Developed by Meta (erstwhile Facebook), React Native is a preferred framework to build cross-platform mobile apps for Android OS and iOS. As per the Statista survey, React Native is a second most used framework after Flutter for developing cross-platform apps.
Source: Statista
React Native uses JavaScript as a programming language, and therefore, many developers find it familiar to build customized, cross-platform apps. Huge community support and quick development are some of the key aspects for preferring React Native app development services . Tesla, Facebook, and Instagram are some of the big apps that use React Native.
Many entrepreneurs wrongly consider that both ReactJS and React Native are the same. However, ReactJS web development service and React Native app development service providers can mention the differences between ReactJS and React Native.
Key Differences Between ReactJS and React Native
The major reason behind the confusion between ReactJS and React Native is both of them share a common component-based architecture. However, they serve different purposes with distinct rendering mechanisms and structures. For example, ReactJS uses HTML elements and the Virtual DOM, whereas React Native relies on native components and APIs.
Let’s discuss the key points that show the ReactJS vs React Native difference.
Platform
A reputed ReactJS web development company can build enterprise-grade web applications with dynamic user interfaces using ReactJS. This framework is also useful for building websites and SPAs.
React Native, on the other hand, is useful for developing mobile apps. React Native app development services can create cross-platform apps that can work on both the operating systems- Android and iOS.
Rendering
ReactJS uses Virtual DOM (Document Object Model) for updating the user interface in web applications. It minimizes direct manipulations of the actual DOM and improves performance.
React Native renders UI components with the help of native APIs. It means the cross-platform app interacts with platform-specific elements directly, providing a seamless experience on different mobile devices.
Navigation
When it comes to implementing navigation between different pages or views in web applications, ReactJS uses React Router. It works by updating the browser’s URL and rendering the corresponding components.
In React Native, a tool known as React Navigation offers a mobile-friendly navigation system with tab, stack, and drawer navigators. It can mimick native mobile navigation behaviors.
Style
Components like CSS and Sass are useful for styling in ReactJS. These components enable developers to define styles externally or internally.
This is not a case in React Native as it does not support traditional CSS. Instead, it uses Stylessheets and a Flexbox-based layout system.
Components
ReactJS needs standard HTML tags like <div> and <button> for creating UI elements. Developers can style these elements with the help of CSS or JavaScript-based solutions.
React Native does not use HTML elements but uses native components like <View>, and <TourchableOpacity> for mapping native UI components of Android and iOS directly.
Performance
ReactJS is the most suitable option for developing web applications as it relies on the Virtual DOM for efficient UI updates. ReactJS is dependent on web technologies and can act as a robust front-end technology.
React Native, however, offers enhanced performance in mobile apps as it can interact with native components and APIs. Moreover, React Native is compatible with native code like Swift, Kotlin, and Java for improving the app’s performance.
Here is a quick table for ReactJS vs. React Native difference-
Factor | ReactJS | React Native |
|---|---|---|
Useful for | Web applications | Mobile applications |
Rendering | Virtual DOM | Native APIs |
Navigation | React Router | React Navigation |
Styling | CSS, Sass, Styled Components | Stylesheets, Flexbox |
Components | HTML elements | Native components |
Performance | Optimized for browsers | Optimized for mobiles |
Examples | PayPal, Netflix, BBC | Instagram, Tesla, Uber Eats |
Here, it is fair to mention that companies need to consider project requirements to choose the right option from ReactJS and React Native.
Let’s go through some circumstances that help you find the right option for your upcoming project.
When to Choose ReactJS or React Native
If you want to build a web application from scratch, need SEO-friendly web solutions, or make SPAs, ReactJS is the most suitable option.
If you want to make a cross-platform mobile app with nativelike performance, React Native is the right choice. React Native app development services can reuse code between web and mobile.
Can We Use ReactJS and React Native Together?
The short answer is yes. When companies want a unified, full-stack solution that works across web and mobile platforms seamlessly, the combination of these two platforms is useful. As component-based architecture and state management are common things, developers can reuse their logic and APIs between web and mobile apps.
Several popular brands like FB and Airbnb utlize both ReactJS and React Native for offering consistent UX across all the devices. For example, Facebook uses ReactJS to run its web platform and React Native to offer the same experience in its app across various Android phones and iPhones. Businesses can reduce development time and share resources by combining both technologies in development process.
Want to Leverage the Benefits of React Ecosystem in Web and Mobile App Solutions?
Concluding Lines
ReactJS web development company and React Native app development company can use the key components of respective technologies. ReactJS is highly useful for making SPAs and web applications with user-friendly UIs. Whereas, React Native is ideal for developing cross-platform apps with the desired features. Hope this guide will help you choose the right option.
Silicon IT Hub is a renowned React Native app development company. We build high-end web applications and mobile apps with desired features for global enterprises. Contact us to learn more about the scope of emerging technologies and advanced tools for developing advanced web and mobile app solutions.
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