# React vs React Native Main Features

**Estefania Teixeira**

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## What is React?

[React](/content/blog/ultimate-guide-react/index.html), or React.js is an open-source [JavaScript](/content/blog/javascript/index.html) library ideal for developing UI.

React was born thanks to Jordan Walke focusing on reusable UI components, rendering capabilities and progressive updates.

It follows a reusable component-based architecture, facilitating the management of complex UI elements.

React's architecture-based components allows code reuse in different app parts.

It saves time and development efforts, especially when creating large-scale projects with consistent design elements.

React is a perfect option for creating dynamic web applications based on data focused on high performance and efficiency.

It's ideal for [Single-Page Applications](/content/blog/single-page-apps-guide/index.html) (SPAs) and complex and interactive [User Interfaces](/content/blog/user-interface-steps/index.html) that require frequent updates.

React.js is popular in many industries! For instance, Facebook uses it to build most of Facebook's web applications.

Likewise, Netflix harnesses it for its amazing and dynamic User Interfaces for users across all devices.

Spotify also uses React to first create its popular stream songs app.

Reddit uses React too to create the complex and rich interfaces for its millions of users.

## What is React Native?

On the other hand, React Native is an open-source, cross-platform mobile framework.

Developed by Facebook, it focuses on creating native, cross-platform mobile apps using components written in React.

Developers use React Native to [create cross-platform mobile applications](https://flatirons.com/services/mobile-app-development/) for [iOS and Android](/content/blog/ios-vs-android-development/index.html), using platform-specific code.

React Native is a framework and has no language library.

Like React, it was born thanks to Facebook and has gained popularity among developers and companies today.

Before React Native, devs could only create native mobile platforms in the languages supported by each platform.

Examples included Kotlin or [Java](/content/blog/the-java-programming-language/index.html) for Android and Objective-C or [Swift](/content/blog/swift-app-development/index.html) for IOS.

React Native has become indispensable in many well-known companies.

Facebook uses it to create [Virtual Reality experiences](/content/blog/business-vr-ar/index.html) in the Oculus VR app.

Microsoft leverages React Native for Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Teams, Skype, and more.

Coinbase, the cryptocurrency exchange platform, uses it to provide real-time data for its large user base.

Pinterest, an American social networking and image-sharing service, uses React Native to scale its service delivery.

## React Native vs React Differences

Now that you know the basic concepts of both terms, it’s time for the most important thing: their key differences in functionalities.

Here, you can find the major differences considering several analysis points.

|  | React | React Native |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Scalability | It’s scalable and integrates well-established processes. Creating a responsive web app is easier and looks good on mobile devices. | It may require additional time and resources— it's more complex and hard to maintain if you want to scale from a mobile to a web app. |
| Experience | It offers good UX, including an enormous components library to create apps with React. | It provides a perfect UX with native components that give applications a seamless look. |
| Community | React has a well-established and efficient development process, highlighting its extensive and active community. | React Native has a growing community, yet its process is relatively slower as it requires native tools for mobile development. |
| Tools | It offers several resources, including [Integrated Development Environments](https://www.wearecapicua.com/blog/integrated-development-environments), debugging tools, and third-party components. | It also has tools and available resources, yet some devices are not optimized for RN and may require extra development time. |
| Learning | Has a relatively low learning curve for development with previous experience in Web Development. | RN has a slightly more pronounced learning curve for devs without mobile development experience. |
| Demand | Large demand in the market, as many companies use React for Web Development teams. | Growing demand as several companies are adopting it for mobile app development. |

In a few words, React and React Native are both JavaScript technologies that serve different purposes.

React is a library for building User Interfaces on the web. It uses [HTML](/content/blog/html-development-basics/index.html) and [CSS](/content/blog/advanced-css-best-practices/index.html) for rendering.

In contrast, React Native is a framework that allows you to build native mobile applications.

Instead of HTML and CSS, it uses native components specific to each platform ( [iOS or Android](/content/blog/uiux-design-ios-vs-android/index.html)) for rendering.

## How To Choose Between React and React Native?

When discussing selecting one option, you must consider some aspects that may impact your final decision.

The first consideration is the project’s needs.

React is adequate for Web Development, while React Native is ideal for [Mobile Development](/content/blog/starting-with-mobile-app-development/index.html).

Another consideration is UX.

A developer with previous experience in Web Development will make it easier for you to work with React.

In contrast, if a developer has previous experience with Mobile Development, it will make it easier to work with the last option.

Additionally, React code is easier to read than React Native code.

React Native has an improved performance over React.

It directly accesses native [Application Programming Interfaces](/content/blog/application-programming-interface-api/index.html) (APIs) and platform-specific features.

It also has better performance optimization tools, which, in the end, fastens the development cycles.

Even so, React is a perfect option, and it can provide a higher-quality [User Experience](/content/blog/why-is-user-experience-so-important/index.html) (UX).

If a developer is looking for a job in a high-demand field, the best option is React.

On the other hand, if you, as a developer, want to work in a growing field, you can focus on React Native, considering it has an increasing demand.

In addition to these factors, consider edges like learning curves, support community and project requirements.

### **Conclusion**

As we mentioned before, both technologies have different purposes and notable differences.

React is ideal for [Web Development](/content/blog/skills-tools-web-development/index.html) due to its cross-browser compatibility.

Conversely, React Native is suitable for developing mobile apps for many OS as it harnesses cross-platform compatibility.

Each has advantages, key features, and potential limitations, each standing out for its individual and specific use.

Finally, your decision comes down to the particular requirements and specifications of the project you are working on.