NodeJS is an open-source, cross-platform runtime environment built upon the V8 engine used to create fast, data-intensive, and secure applications. NodeJS is not a programming language nor a framework, it is a runtime environment that uses JavaScript to write server-side code.
ReactJS is developed by the Facebook team and used to create single-page user interfaces. It is declarative, flexible, and provides a way to create reusable components. ReactJS is a framework that uses JavaScript and JSX to write client-side code.
There are many criteria by which we can compare both technologies to choose the best for a project. Let’s see them one by one.
Also read: NodeJS vs AngularJS: What are the similarities and differences?
NodeJS vs ReactJS – At a Glance
| Criteria | NodeJS | ReactJS |
|---|---|---|
| Performance & Speed | Uses non-blocking I/O operations, is lightweight, and provides many asynchronous methods which increase performance. | Uses JSX and virtual DOM to provide faster performance. |
| Scalability | Easily scalable, has fast file system interaction, and supports all kinds of databases. | Complex architecture requires regular updates and bug fixes. |
| Portability | It can run on Windows, Linux, and Mac, but is limited to web apps. | Can create web apps, Android, and iOS apps using React-Native. |
| Community Support | Has a vast and active global community. | Has a vast and active global community. |
| Libraries & Tools Availability | Millions of libraries and tools are installed using Node Package Manager. | Open-source JavaScript libraries provided by Facebook. |
| Use Cases | Used for creating data-intensive server-side applications. | Used for creating single-page client-side applications with an enhanced user interface. |
| Learning Curve | Easier than ReactJS. | More complex than NodeJS. |
| Real World Examples | PayPal, Linkedin, GoDaddy, Netflix. | Dropbox, Instagram, Discord, Pinterest. |
Performance and Speed
The Node.js is built upon the V8 engine which is written in C++ and provides fast execution speed. NodeJS uses non-blocking I/O operation which makes it lightweight and provides many asynchronous methods which increase performance.
ReactJS, on the other hand, uses JSX, which is processed into JavaScript calls. It uses virtual DOM, which provides a faster performance due to virtual components.
The performance and speed depend upon the architect of a technology. NodeJS has a simple architecture whereas ReactJS has a complex architecture. The simple architecture of NodeJS makes it lightweight which overall help in boosting performance and speed.
Scalability
NodeJS is highly scalable, provides fast file system interaction, and supports all kinds of Databases, relational, and NoSQL. NodeJS doesn’t frequently change, technologies like ReactJS change syntax, and their implementation regularly in order to make it even better but for a developer, it is hard to be maintained as the application requires regular updates and supplies many bugs which are stressful to make it scalable.
There are various scalability problems in ReactJS that can be managed. We have a separate tutorial in which we cover Different scalability issues in React and how to manage them if you want to read.
Portability
NodeJS is used for creating the data-intensive server-side application it can run on different operating systems such as Windows, Linux, and Mac but it is limited to web apps whereas ReactJS is used for creating client-side web apps as well as Andriod and ISO apps that can build using React-Native have similar syntax, so unlike NodeJS where the one has to create Mobile App for scratch using another language, React gives ReactJS for Web Development and React-Native for Andriod and IOS development.
Community Support
NodeJS and ReactJS, both have a vast and active global community, so can’t be compared in terms of community, both technologies have a lot of fanbases, and their developers are active on different platforms such as StackOverflow, GitHub, etc to help you when you face any bug.
Libraries and Tools Availability
In terms of libraries and tools availability NodeJS is considered over ReactJS. NodeJS provides many libraries for creating different kinds of projects such as Gulp which help in automating tasks, async which allows you to write asynchronous JavaScript code, Cheerio for web scraping, etc. It has millions of libraries and tools that can install using Node Package Manager which is the world’s largest repository of libraries whereas ReactJS only supports open-source JavaScript Libraries provided by Facebook.
Use Cases
NodeJS is best suited for server-side rendering for SPA, Data streaming, and Data-Intensive Applications that can easily interact with files, and supports all kinds of Databases, relational, and NoSQL whereas ReactJS is best for creating single page client-side applications with an enhanced user interface that uses reusable component provide fast rendering and loading speed. It is best suited for real-time applications that can handle frequent data change such as chat applications, news feeds, etc.
Learning Curve
Learning NodeJS is much easier than learning ReactJS. NodeJS is very simple whereas ReactJS is tough as it is new and its structure, implementation, syntax, etc change frequently so from a beginner’s point of view it is confusing. There are many advanced concepts that are very complex to understand such as hooks, reusable components, mapping, etc. The best way of learning a language is to read/watch tutorials since ReactJS changes frequently the old tutorial becomes confusing whereas Node.js itself documentation is very up to date, and provide descriptive explaining about different method and module to start with NodeJS, on top of this beginner can use ExpreeJS with NodeJS which makes it extremely simple, easy and can create an application in less time using few lines of code. In short for a beginner, NodeJS is much easier than ReactJS.
Real World Example
NodeJS is used by many popular companies like PayPal, Linkedin, GoDaddy, Netflix, etc whereas ReactJS is used by Dropbox, Instagram, Discord, Pinterest, etc.
Conclusion
NodeJS builds a Real-time data streaming application that can handle the browser request and authentication of database calls providing millions of libraries and tools to be installed from NPM whereas ReactJS is used to create single-page client-side applications with modern concepts such as JSX and reusable components.
If the requirement is to create a server-side application, APIs, or microservices then NodeJS is best whereas if the requirement is to create an enhanced user interface client-side application that can handle frequent data change then you can go with ReactJS.
