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React Native vs React JS: Which One is More Popular in 2025?

Published On: March 11, 2025Categories: TechnologiesBy
React Native vs React JS

As of now, it can be estimated that React Native vs React JS will be the two most popular front-end technologies in 2025. React JS is perfect for developing complex web applications whereas React Native allows for easy development of mobile applications on different platforms with just one codebase. The decision between React Native and React JS is hinged on the project’s scale, performance, and the platforms it is intended to serve.

Here at Witarist, we endeavor in front-end and full-stack development, offering businesses the appropriate technology stack. We provide quality, scalable solutions whether you need a responsive web app developed in React JS or a feature-packed mobile application developed in React Native.

Understanding React Native vs React JS

What is React JS?

React JS is a JavaScript library that builds interactive, fast, scalable web applications. It was created by Facebook (now Meta). It allows developers to create reusable UI components and manage application states effectively.

Key Features of React JS:

  • Component-based architecture: Encourages code reusability and maintainability.
  • Virtual DOM: Enhances performance by updating only necessary UI elements.
  • SEO-friendly: Works well with Next.js for server-side rendering.
  • One-way data binding: Ensures better control over data flow.
  • Strong community support: Large ecosystem with extensive third-party libraries.

What is React Native?

React Native is a system used to develop applications for both Android and iOS, while the website hosting the system is made up of JavaScript. This way, developers can write their application in one place and yet enjoy it running on all mobile platforms at once. Mobile app development is becoming more cost-effective due to the leveraging of React Native.

Key Features of React Native:

  • Single codebase: Develop for both iOS and Android simultaneously.
  • Hot reloading: Faster development and debugging.
  • Close-to-native performance: Offers the additional flexibility of non-native techniques.
  • Access to device APIs: Effectively manage and access resources including the camera, GPS, and sensor.
  • Open-source ecosystem: Consequently, millions of libraries and plugins are on the platform.

For complete full-stack development knowledge, it’s essential to understand how React Native vs React JS exist as separate technologies. While both are developed by Facebook and use JavaScript, their purposes, architectures, and use cases differ significantly. React.js is a frontend library for building user interfaces on the web, whereas React Native is a framework for creating mobile applications.

Let’s explore the key differences between React Native and React JS in detail.

React Native vs React JS: A Detailed Comparison

Feature React JS React Native
Purpose Used for building web applications. Used for building mobile applications (iOS & Android)
Platform Works in browsers like Chrome, Firefox, etc. Works on mobile devices (Android, iOS)
UI Rendering Uses HTML and CSS for UI development. Uses native UI components like <View>, <Text> instead of HTML elements
Styling Uses traditional CSS or CSS-in-JS (styled-components, Emotion) Uses React Native Stylesheet, which is similar to CSS but optimized for mobile
Navigation Uses React Router for routing Uses React Navigation or Native Navigation libraries
Performance Optimized for the web, depends on the browser’s rendering engine Optimized for mobile, uses native APIs for better performance
Third-party Libraries Supports web-based libraries like Bootstrap, Material-UI Uses native libraries for mobile-specific features like camera, GPS, push notifications
Code Execution Runs in the browser and relies on the DOM Runs on mobile and communicates with native components through a bridge
Development Tools Uses Webpack, Babel, and other web-based tools Uses Metro Bundler, Xcode (iOS), and Android Studio
Usage Best for web apps, dashboards, and single-page applications (SPAs) Best for cross-platform mobile apps with a single codebase

React Native vs React JS: When to Use Each?

When to Use React JS?

React JS is the best choice for building web applications with dynamic, interactive UI elements. It’s widely used for:

  • Single-Page Applications (SPAs) – Platforms like Netflix, Airbnb, and Facebook use React for seamless user experiences.
  • Interactive Dashboards & Admin Panels – Ideal for projects that require fast updates and dynamic rendering.
  • Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) – React JS is often combined with service workers to create lightweight, app-like web experiences.

Advantages of Using React JS:
✔ Uses Virtual DOM for faster rendering.
✔ Supports reusable component-based architecture for better maintainability.
✔ Strong community with extensive third-party libraries for quick development.

When to Use React Native?

React Native is best for building mobile applications with a cross-platform codebase. It’s used for:

  • Cross-Platform Mobile Apps – Apps like WhatsApp, UberEats, and Pinterest use React Native to run seamlessly on both Android and iOS.
  • Apps Needing Native Performance – React Native bridges JavaScript with native APIs, making it perfect for performance-intensive applications.
  • Mobile Apps with Web-Like Functionality – If you want to build an app that looks and feels like a native mobile app but shares logic with a web app, React Native is ideal.

Advantages of Using React Native:
✔ Single Codebase for iOS & Android, reducing development time.
✔ Uses Native UI Components, providing a smoother user experience.
✔ Can integrate with native modules for advanced functionalities like GPS, camera, and push notifications.

React Native and React JS Together for Full-Stack Development

While both technologies serve different purposes, React JS and React Native can work together to build full-stack applications.

How React JS and React Native Work Together

  • React JS can handle the front end** of a web application** while React Native powers the mobile counterpart.
  • Both share the same component-based structure, making development easier.
  • A Node.js backend can be used to connect both React JS and React Native applications seamlessly.

Final Thought

In 2025, React Native and React JS are still the most popular front-end technologies. React JS excels in creating fast, interactive web applications while React Native is made for developing mobile applications for both iOS and Android. Choosing between React Native and React JS depends on what you need your project for—whether building a website or a mobile app.

We at Witarist will help you make the right technology choice for your business, and for your applications to be built for efficiency, scalability, and sustained success. So, choose us as an expert solution developer for either a responsive web app in React JS or a cross-platform mobile app powered by React Native. Contact us today to discuss how we might bring your project to life! 

 FAQs

Choose React JS if it is a website. However, if it is a mobile app, use React Native. Or you can choose to use both together for a full-stack solution if you need both of them.

If you’re actually in two minds about whether to use React JS or React Native, let me reassure you that our wonderful team of knowledgeable Witarist people stands ready to help you! Our expertise lies in web and mobile app development, and we provide the right technology for your venture. Talk to us about working together, and let’s create something wonderful!

Definitely! A lot of companies and developers use React JS for web applications and React Native for mobile apps lets them share code, logic, and components between both platforms. This not only makes the development quicker but also takes out the time for maintenance work and provides users with a consistent web and mobile experience.

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