The Difference Between React.js and React Native

Just as there is a lot of difference between Java and JavaScript, ReactJS and React Native are also different from one another. Newbies usually get confused due to the similarity in their names. But below we will explain how both of these terms are different from one another.

ReactJS and React Native are inherently different technologies. They render different functions and operate in a different setup. Both of these technologies are intermingled at a deeper level so it is important to clearly understand how both of these are different.

ReactJS is basically a JavaScript library which is used for building user-interface for huge web applications. It is created and primarily maintained by Facebook. It is an open-source library which is essentially meant for producing dynamic web pages which process the data in real-time. It can display whatever changes take places without any requirement to reload the content. A perfect example of this is Facebook/Instagram feed.

Now, React Native, on the other hand, comprises a framework of native libraries which is mainly used for forming mobile apps. The libraries which were released by Facebook in 2015 can be used to build apps for all platforms where React Native code is in congruence with native mobile app apparatus.

So, simply put, ReactJS serves the purpose of web application and React Native is mainly for the mobile app development.

In the arena of software development, where the most commonly used language is JavaScript, ReactJS is a library which is used to build user interfaces. In simple language, when you see a website as a user, what you see and the way you navigate across the site is the user interface and that is React JS.

ReactJS is just meant for web applications.

Main advantages of using React:

  • Virtual DOM is quite fast in comparison to a conventional full refresh model (i.e. refreshing pages partially)
  • Mild learning curve does not necessitate learning of several specific concepts;
  • Very easy debugging
  • Reusable code components;
  • Superb SEO when used in amalgamation with the server-side renderer
  • Consistent working code because of one-directional data
  • Convenient HTML decomposition into reusable and independent fragments of code
  • Simple testing with JEST.

React is mainly a library for View portion of web apps; React Native is an extension of React which targets building mobile apps for both Android and iOS platforms. In addition to this main difference, there are some few other differences regarding how they approach the same task:

Animation

Web applications which are built on ReactJS rely basically on JavaScript libraries or CSS for animation. On the other hand, React Native comes with this as an inbuilt feature. Though it requires little initial learning, the output of React Native is quite better as compared to that of ReactJS.

Navigation

Both ReactJS and React Native follow a different approach as far as navigation is concerned. Web pages built in ReactJS make use of React-router for purpose of navigation, on the other hand, React Native has a totally diverse library- Navigator or aim.

Overheads

This is more regarding what each of these technologies builds rather than any basic difference between the two. ReactJS calls for writing a single piece of code and this just operates everywhere. On the other hand, React Native is compatible with all different platforms; it necessitates platform-specific codes. Building applications in React Native call for more time as well as effort than with ReactJS, in case you desire to reach to all platforms.

Conclusion

React JS and React Native are two different technologies for two different domains. So now when you know what each of them is meant for, for web application development you can choose to hire React.js developers and if it is mobility is that you want, you can go in for React Native app development in order to achieve the aptest solutions.

Sumit Garg

Project Manager @ Octal Info Solution