React JS vs New Frameworks: Is It Still Relevant?
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React JS vs New Frameworks: Is It Still Relevant?
React JS is a popular tool for building websites. It has been widely used for years because of its component-based design and many helpful tools. Developers love using React to make fast and scalable web apps. However, the world of web development is always changing.
New JavaScript frameworks are being created, giving developers more choices for building modern websites. While React remains a favorite for many, these new tools are bringing fresh ideas and features to the table.
As technology evolves, developers can explore different options to find the best fit for their projects and stay ahead in web development.
Businesses and developers alike now face a critical question: In this ever-changing environment, is React JS still relevant, or is it time for them to explore the growing landscape of React framework alternatives?
In this article, we will delve deep into the React JS vs New Frameworks debate, providing a comprehensive comparison of their performance benchmarks, overall usability, and current adoption trends across the industry.
We will also explore specific scenarios where React JS remains the unmatched champion and other situations where these newer frameworks may offer distinct, game-changing advantages.
Whether you're a seasoned developer, a CTO, or planning to hire dedicated ReactJS developers, this guide offers valuable insights for an informed choice.
Understanding the React JS Framework
React JS, also referred to as the React framework, was developed by Facebook in 2013 and has since revolutionized front-end development. It introduced a component-based structure, which allows developers to break down a website or application into smaller, reusable pieces of code. Each component is self-contained, managing its own data.
Key features include:
- Virtual DOM: Boosts performance by only updating changed elements, not the whole page.
- Declarative Syntax: Creates predictable UI that is easier to debug.
- Rich Ecosystem: Libraries like Redux, React Router, and Next.js enable faster, more scalable development.
React is a popular tool for web development because it’s easy to scale, has great community support, and is in high demand for jobs. Many companies use it to create websites with lots of visitors and interactive features. For example, ReactJS is ideal for scalable e-commerce websites , providing fast, responsive, and user-friendly shopping experiences.
The Rise of Modern JavaScript Frameworks
React remains the most popular choice among developers, but modern JavaScript frameworks continue to emerge, each designed to simplify and speed up the development process.
These frameworks aim to address specific challenges developers face, offering tools and features to make building applications more efficient and streamlined. Some examples of these frameworks are:
Vue.js :
- Vue.js is celebrated for its simplicity and intuitive syntax. Developers love its gentle learning curve, making it ideal for beginners and powerful enough for experts. It’s a welcoming framework for your code.
Svelte :
- Svelte is a revolutionary framework that works its magic during the build process, not in the browser. It compiles your code into small, simple JavaScript, resulting in incredibly fast apps and small file sizes. This means quick loading and a smooth user experience.
Angular :
- If you’re working on a big, complex project, like an enterprise app, Angular is a great choice! It’s a complete framework that has everything you need built in. It’s designed to handle large projects with strong structure and easy scalability.
Next.js & Remix :
- Next.js and Remix are special tools that add to React. They make websites faster and easier for search engines to find. They also make it easier to move between different parts of a complex app.
Framework Comparison: React vs Modern Alternatives
| Feature | React JS | Modern Alternatives (Svelte, SolidJS, Qwik, etc.) |
|---|---|---|
| Development Model | Runtime rendering with virtual DOM | Compile-time optimizations for smaller bundles and faster execution |
| Performance | Efficient with virtual DOM; may lag in highly dynamic apps | Faster initial load and UI updates due to lightweight architecture |
| Bundle Size | Larger due to core library and dependencies | Smaller, optimized for minimal load and delivery efficiency |
| Developer Experience | Mature ecosystem with extensive libraries and tools | Simpler syntax, less boilerplate, smaller ecosystem |
| Learning Curve | Steeper, advanced concepts like hooks, state management | Easier, more intuitive for beginners and rapid prototyping |
| Ecosystem & Community Support | Large, active community, many third-party libraries | Smaller community, fewer libraries and plugins |
| Use Case Suitability | Enterprise-grade apps, large-scale projects | Performance-critical apps, MVPs, small-to-medium projects |
Framework Benchmarks: Speed, Bundle Size & Performance
When choosing between React and New frameworks, performance is a key thing to consider. Businesses and developers want frameworks that load pages quickly, have small file sizes, and run smoothly. Let's see how React stacks up against newer options like Svelte, SolidJS, and Qwik.
Speed and Initial Load
Modern frameworks like Svelte and Qwik often outperform React in terms of initial page load and time-to-interactive metrics.
- Svelte turns components into simple code during the build process, so the browser has less work to do. This makes pages load faster.
- Qwik delays running JavaScript until the user interacts with the page, helping it load almost instantly.
- React updates quickly using the Virtual DOM, but it still needs more processing in the browser. Without tools like Next.js for server-side rendering, React apps can feel slower, especially on mobile or slow networks.
Bundle Size
Smaller bundle sizes play a crucial role in improving website performance by directly contributing to faster loading speeds. This is particularly important for users on mobile networks.
- A basic React app bundle is usually 30–40 KB (compressed), but larger apps with more features can go over 100 KB.
- Svelte creates very small bundles, often around 10 KB, which helps load pages faster.
- SolidJS also makes small bundles while staying fast.
- Qwik is designed to be super small, with bundles between 5–20 KB, perfect for busy, mobile-focused websites.
In places with limited internet speed or device storage, smaller bundles can help keep users on the site and make their experience better.
Runtime Performance
React works hard to update things quickly using its Virtual DOM and memoization. But some newer tools go even further! They completely avoid the Virtual DOM, making them super fast:
- SolidJS updates the webpage directly with fast and precise changes, making it very quick.
- Svelte turns components into simple code that directly controls the webpage, removing extra layers.
- Qwik makes your website faster by breaking code into smaller parts and loading only what’s needed, when it’s needed.
This often makes websites and apps feel much smoother and quicker to use than older React apps.
Developer Productivity and Build Speed
React is still great for developers because it has many tools, like Create React App, Next.js, and Vite. Features like Hot Module Replacement (HMR) and smart building processes help you set up projects really fast.
Newer frameworks have made development even easier:
- SvelteKit and SolidStart offer ready-to-use, optimized builds.
- Builds are faster, hot reload works quicker, and developers can make changes quickly.
This means features can be tested, improved, and delivered to users much faster.
Summary Table: Benchmark Comparison
| Metric | React JS | Svelte | SolidJS | Qwik |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Load Time | About 1.2 seconds | About 0.9 seconds | About 0.8 seconds | About 0.5 seconds |
| Time to Interactive | About 1.5 seconds | About 1.1 seconds | About 1.0 second | About 0.6 seconds |
| Bundle Size (KB) | 45–100 KB | 10–30 KB | 10–30 KB | 5–20 KB |
| Runtime Efficiency | Moderate; needs extra processing because of Virtual DOM | High; updates the page efficiently with compiled code | Very high; updates only what is needed quickly | Extremely high; loads only what is needed, very fast |
| Developer Build Speed | Fast with Create React App or Next.js | Very fast with SvelteKit | Very fast with SolidStart | Fast; optimized for simple setup |
While React is still a good choice for many projects, other frameworks like Svelte, SolidJS, and Qwik have shown they can be faster and more efficient. If you want to build a fast website that gives users a great experience, these newer frameworks are strong options to consider instead of React.
Pros and Cons of React vs. Alternatives
React JS: Pros
- Extensive libraries, tools, and a mature ecosystem
- Strong community support and stability
- Flexible integration with existing projects
React JS: Cons
- Larger bundles may slow load times
- Steeper learning curve for advanced concepts
- Slower initial rendering than newer frameworks
Modern Frameworks: Pros
- Better performance with smaller bundles
- Simplified syntax and developer-friendly design
- Faster initial load and runtime
Modern Frameworks: Cons
- Smaller ecosystems with fewer plugins
- Limited enterprise adoption compared to React
- Potential concerns with long-term stability
When to Choose React and When to Go for a New Framework
Choosing the right framework depends on project requirements:
React :
- You're building large, scalable applications that need a robust and maintainable codebase. React's proven reliability makes it ideal for complex projects.
- Your team already knows React or its ecosystem, saving time and ensuring smoother collaboration.
- You want a mature ecosystem with plenty of libraries, tools, and community support, making it easier to implement features and solve issues.
New Frameworks :
- If performance is important and you need fast loading times, newer frameworks are a great choice because they are built to be simple and efficient.
- For smaller projects or MVPs (Minimum Viable Products), lightweight frameworks let you quickly test and build ideas without extra complexity.
- Newer frameworks often include creative UI features and cutting-edge tools, making them ideal for teams that want to try new ways of building user experiences.
Real-World Adoption: Who Uses React vs. New Frameworks
Which frameworks real companies trust shows their reliability and practicality. While performance stats are useful, seeing actual adoption is even more telling.
React JS :
Some of the world's biggest websites and apps use React. This shows it's reliable for very large projects with many users.
- Meta (Facebook & Instagram): React powers these social networks, handling billions of user actions daily.
- Netflix: Uses React for smooth experiences and fast loading.
- Airbnb: Relies on React's components for scalable apps.
- WhatsApp Web: Enables real-time messaging with smooth, fast interactions.
New Frameworks :
React remains the most popular, but new frameworks are gaining traction, especially in startups and performance-driven projects.
- Svelte: Popular for small, mobile-first projects, known for tiny bundles and simple code.
- SolidJS: Used for data-heavy dashboards needing fast, efficient updates.
- Qwik: Achieves near-instant loading by executing JavaScript only on user interaction, ideal for e-commerce and content-heavy sites.
While large companies are cautious with new frameworks, many startups and small businesses experiment with them to build faster, more lightweight web apps.
Conclusion
Choosing between React JS vs. new frameworks isn't about superiority; it's about selecting the right tool for your project.
React is still a big deal in 2025 because it has a lot of tools, a large community of users, and it's very versatile. It's great for building big applications and works well with other technologies, which is why many large companies prefer to use it.
Modern JavaScript frameworks like Svelte, SolidJS, and Qwik have clear benefits, especially for performance, loading speed, and ease of use for developers. They work well for small projects, MVPs, or apps that need to be very fast.
React or a newer framework depends on your project requirements, your team’s expertise, and long-term maintainability. Consulting a Web Development Company can help businesses and developers make the right choice and build fast, efficient web applications.
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