If you are a CTO embarking on a new project, one of the most important questions you might need to answer is probably, which is better in React vs Angular?
Which framework is ideal for your product?
Both React and Angular are open-source products and both have been chosen by major brands to develop their products.
If we look at the trends, it is clear that both React and Angular are running neck-to-neck when it comes to popularity (Trends report is as of Oct 31, 2021).
While both React and Angular have been around for a while now, choosing between the two can be a daunting task, as the correct choice for YOUR project depends on a number of factors.
The React vs Angular debate will continue to be pertinent in the years to come as well.
In this article, we will try to understand both React and Angular in depth, so you can make the ‘right’ decision in the React vs Angular ‘battle’ as per your needs and requirements.
What is React?
Released by Facebook in May 2013, React (also known as React.js) is a free open-source front-end JavaScript library for building user interfaces and UI components.
It is maintained by Facebook and a community of developers and companies.
React can be used as a base in the development of single-page or mobile applications.
React is only concerned with state management and rendering that state to the DOM, so creating React applications usually requires the use of additional libraries for routing, as well as certain client-side functionality.
Advantages of React
It isn’t a surprise that hundreds of successful brands opt for React. Here are some advantages of choosing React:
- Speed: React has an incredibly quick development process, which is due to the fact that it allows developers to utilize individual parts of their application on both the client side and the server side.
- Flexibility: The modular structure of React makes it comparatively easier to maintain and flexible when compared to other front-end frameworks. This also plays a role in saving time and cutting costs.
- Performance: React offers a virtual DOM program and server-side rendering, which makes complex apps run extremely fast.
- Usability: A decent JavaScript developer can thoroughly learn React in just a couple of days, making it a great choice for projects.
- Versatile: Can be used for web and mobile app development (iOS and Android).
- Stability: React allows for direct work with components and uses downward data binding to ensure that changes in child structures don’t affect their parents. That makes code stable.
Disadvantages of React
- Poor documentation: Since there is a constant release of new tools, documentation tends to be an issue with React. As React continues to develop at an incredible speed, there is hardly any time to keep track of or document the changes.
- Complexity of JSX: Since React uses JSX, many developers find it tough to master it.
When to use React
It’s best to opt for React when you are looking at an app that requires a ton of dynamic content in your application.
What is Angular?
Released by Google in October 2010, Angular, or AngularJS is the first modern JavaScript-based open-source front-end web framework meant to develop single-page mobile or web applications.
Advantages of Angular
- Two-way data binding: Angular allows two-way data binding, which means you can make any data-related changes and they are simultaneously and immediately changed in both the underlying model and the UI.
- Custom directives: The custom directives in Angular allow developers a bunch of cool tricks such as creating custom HTML tags. The DOM attributes can also be tweaked in many exciting ways.
- Dependency injection: Angular’s dependency injection feature is a handy tool that helps developers test and understand applications better. DI provides developers with all the dependencies, making it one of the most popular features of Angular.
- Client-side MVC framework: Client-side MVC framework is important when working with HTML and data on your page. MVC frameworks are tools that help manage web page interactions and data collections. Angular provides a feather-light solution for creating a balance between the client logic and the server. Angular also enables developers to quickly write client-side web applications by using the basic principles in the MVC software design patterns as well.
Disadvantages of Angular
- Flexibility issues: Since Angular does not work too well with tools that are not specific to the framework, it increases test/build time by a huge margin.
- Problem with the ‘Angular logic’: Angular works in a certain way and developers need to adapt to its logic rather than the other way around, which causes a set of some very unusual problems, such as being restricted to tools that are only within its ecosystem.
- Complicated framework: Angular takes a while to master owing to its complicated framework and needs considerable learning time, which might not be suitable for every developer.
When to use Angular
Angular should be your preferred choice when you need your product to be compatible with all browsers and if the complexity of your app is in the range of low to medium.
React vs Angular: A side-by-side comparison
The table below represents some of the important differentiating factors between React and Angular that will help you reach a conclusion to React vs Angular.
Some other aspects to consider while deciding between React and Angular are as follows:
Packaging
React allows developers diverse means of controlling the packaging. In contrast, Angular, being the more rigid of the two, offers a limited ability to control the packaging, So, when it comes to Packaging, React is better.
Reuse of Code
Although React allows developers to manage app code as they please, Angular consists of a series of ready-to-use elements and is always prepared to employ more elements, making it the better choice when it comes to the reuse of code.
So, in this round of React vs Angular, Angular wins.
Model Complexity
When it comes to Model complexity, Angular restricts you from using large-app models and is quite sensitive, but produces a code that is simple and easily testable in the long term. React allows you to choose the model complexity without affecting app performance. In summary, both React and Angular have their advantages when it comes to model complexity.
Templating
Templates store customer information and flows that are developed with the app’s existing blocks, which are not reusable. Angular is better at templating than React.
Brands that use React and Angular
Conclusion
While many developers consider either React or Angular better than the other, the fact is that both have their place, depending on the type of project requirement.
There are products that would not have been possible without React and there are applications that were only possible because of Angular.
Choosing between the two depends on several factors and is an important decision that needs to be made with as much time in hand as possible and by involving as many experts as possible.
If you have any queries related to React or Angular, you can reach out to us and our team of experts will help you out with your query. Akrity Computing has completed dozens of projects using both frameworks and helped start-ups the world over build quality products.
Which have you liked so far: React or Angular? Mention in the comments below.
