React vs Angular - Quick comparison 
Tags: react, angular, javascript, html
Published: 2019-06-05 09:48:31

To make it simple, <b>React</b> is the library made by Facebook, while <b>Angular</b> is a full-fledged MVC framework developed by Google.

From the educational point of view, <b>React</b> is much easier to learn, but it’s still only a library. <b>Angular</b> may be harder, but once you learn it, you have the knowledge of the entire MVC framework.

From the technical point of view, <b>Angular</b> is kinda dictating you how you should use your app structure, while <b>React</b>, as a library to build interfaces (only the view), gives you way much more freedom in choosing model and controller libraries.

The popularity of <b>React</b> is constantly growing, while <b>Angular</b> dropped already a while ago.

<img src="https://thepracticaldev.s3.amazonaws.com/i/o1f4k71k0vy1brxe74z0.PNG">

Next to that, based on <a href="https://insights.stackoverflow.com/survey/2019#technology">Stack Overflow Developer Survey 2019</a>, <b>React</b> is both the most loved, and the most wanted technology on the market.

<img src="https://thepracticaldev.s3.amazonaws.com/i/xw40b324frm0w0cbvxjq.PNG">
<img src="https://thepracticaldev.s3.amazonaws.com/i/5mpbe4jtlarhavd5myvv.PNG">

Even if a huge need for <b>React</b> developers making it the hottest technology on the market at the moment, we can be sure that both <b>React and Angular</b> will stay with us for long.

However, let’s have a look on other differences which you may find crucial while choosing your tech stack.

##<b>Speed</b>


<b>DOM</b>

<b>React</b> is using a virtual DOM, which means it doesn’t have to update all the HTML. He is just looking for the differences between the current and the old HTML and updating it accordingly.

<b>Angular</b> is using incremental DOM, which means it is going through the entire structure of HTML to find what there is to be changed and “mutate” the tree to apply changes.

<b>React Fiber</b>

A while ago (with v16 version) <b>React</b> changed its engine elevating the speed from “just fast” to “blazingly fast”.
More than that, React Fiber enables the priority-based update system, so you can fine tune your renderings to make sure the most important updates are done first. Also, you can pause and start your work at will.

##<b>Data Binding</b>


<b>Angular</b> is using two-way data binding. Whenever you change any element of the interface, your model state changes automatically too.

This sounds simple, but if you work on a large project and want to have a good data overview and debug easier, it is better to use <b>React</b> with one-way data binding. It renders the change in the interface element, only after the model state is updated first. And whenever you change the UI element, the model state stays the same with no changes.

##<b>Templates</b>

<b>HTML</b>

<b>Angular</b> is using templates based on an extended version of HTML with Angular directives. You will also have to learn a specific syntax.

<b>JSX</b>

With <b>React</b>, on the other hand, all you need is JavaScript knowledge. A JSX is a genius component made from markup and JavaScript logic in the same file. Thanks to use of XML-like language, you can write your markup in your JavaScript code, so everything is one place and the code completion works better.

##<b>Ionic vs React Native</b>

<b>Ionic</b> is a framework for building hybrid mobile apps in Cordova container, which still makes it a hybrid app: web app inside the native web view container.

<b>React Native</b> is a platform where you can create a truly native mobile app. You can also create your own components and bind them to the native code in Java or Swift.

##<b>Testing</b>

<b>React</b> uses Jest (sometime with Enzyme – JavaScript testing utility). Jest has a powerful mocking library, doesn’t require any configuration and is included in every React project.

<b>Angular</b> uses Jasmine, which outcome is considered by many as one of the hardest to read and too complicated.

##<b>Conclusion</b>

As always, both platforms have pros and cons. Pretty much all depends on the needs, future plans and personal preferences.

While <b>Angular</b> gives you an entire and fixed MVC framework possibilities, <b>React</b> gives you more freedom and is easier to learn and use in general.
On top of that, the future definitely favours <b>React</b>, as we all aim to do things more effectively with less effort and struggle.

This is also why we love <b>React</b>, and choose it to be the core of our business already for more than 3 years.

<b>Want to build a project with <b>React</b>? Have a look at <a href="https://clutch.co/profile/pagepro">what we already did with others.</a></b>