React vs React Native: Which to Choose & When?
Both centred around JavaScript (JS) and developed by Meta, React and React Native are often compared. But despite their similar names, they’re both used for different things.
If you’re planning to build a digital product, you’ve likely heard of both of these technologies. But which one will work best for your project, team or the way the product needs to grow?
To put it simply, the key difference between these two JavaScript technologies is that:
- React builds websites
- React Native builds mobile apps
We'll explore the key differences between React and React Native in detail, how each technology works and when it is most appropriate to use them.
What is React?
React - also known as React.js or ReactJS - is a JavaScript library for building websites and web applications that run in a browser, such as Chrome or Safari.
It was initially created in 2013 by a software engineer, Jordan Walke, at Facebook (now Meta), and has grown significantly in popularity over the last decade-plus. In fact, according to Netguru, as of 2025, React powers approximately 5.8% of all websites worldwide.
It focuses on the view layer and allows developers a component-based way to build interactive front ends.
Benefits of ReactJS
- Reusable Components: It allows you to build parts of your website once, such as buttons or menus, and reuse them throughout your project.
- Faster Development: Being able to reuse these codes then saves time and reduces repetitive work.
- Fast Performance: React updates only the parts of a webpage that change, making websites feel faster and more responsive.
- Flexible: It doesn’t include routing, state management or server-side rendering by default, which offers flexibility that can be useful.
- Easy to Maintain: Using organised, reusable code means it is simpler to fix bugs and add new features.
- SEO-friendly: Using frameworks like Next.js, React applications can be rendered on the server, making them more SEO-friendly (important for appearing in Google search results).
- Popularity: React is a well-known and widely used technology, so there are plenty of tutorials, guides and community support available.
- Strong job demand: Following this, many companies use React, making it a valuable skill for web developers.
Real-World Use Cases of React
React is a popular technology, with many well-known companies using it. This is because it helps them build modern, interactive web applications that work well across different devices.
Some of these companies include:
- Meta: Founded by Meta, React is used to create interactive feeds, messaging features, and notifications, as well as to display reports, charts and real-time business data.
- Netflix: React helps create responsive interfaces for browsing films, TV shows or music.
- Airbnb: Travel, hotel, and appointment-booking websites use React to provide quick, responsive user experiences.
- Shopify: Online stores use React to create smooth shopping experiences, product pages and shopping baskets/checkout pages.
When to Choose React
React could be suitable for your project if you want:
- A high-performing, dynamic and responsive UI for web applications
- To build applications that will run in a web browser
- Bespoke interfaces which differ from the visual style of the host operating system
- To utilise the reusable, component-based architecture and interactivity
- To improve your website’s SEO
- To develop dashboards, e-commerce sites or customer portals
What is React Native?
Still keeping in the family of ReactJS, React Native was released a little later, again by Facebook, in 2015.
React Native is a framework for building mobile apps that run on iPhones and Android devices.
This was revolutionary for the time, as before React Native, developers had to write out completely separate code for each platform. But React Native provides the ability to write code once in JavaScript, and it works across both iPhone and Android devices, combining JavaScript code with Android and iOS app code.
Benefits of React Native
- Cross-platform Development: Native can build apps for both iOS and Android using a single codebase.
- Fast Development: Reusing this code across platforms saves time and reduces development costs. Developers can also reuse components across different parts of the app, making updates easier.
- Hot Reload: Developers can see code changes almost instantly without rebuilding the entire app, which speeds up testing and development.
- Near-Native Performance: React Native apps deliver a smooth, responsive experience that feels similar to a native app (e.g. iOS or Android).
- Easy Maintenance: Bugs and new features can often be implemented across both platforms at the same time.
- Cost-effective: Maintaining one codebase can be cheaper than building separate apps for iOS and Android, making React Native cost-effective.
- Large Developer Community: There’s also extensive documentation, libraries and community support around React Native, which makes development easier.
Real-World Use Cases of React Native
Similar to React, many well-known companies use React Native to power their mobile applications, such as:
- Uber: React Native is used for fast, responsive web interfaces that provide a smooth experience for users booking rides and managing their accounts.
- Discord: Powering Discord's web application, Native delivers a fast, interactive interface for messaging, voice calls and community management.
- Instagram: Native helps create a seamless web experience, allowing users to browse their feed, view profiles and interact with posts quickly.
- Tesla: Used to build responsive web applications, Native enables customers to explore vehicles, configure orders and manage their accounts online.
When to Choose React Native
React Native could be suitable for your project if you want:
- To build a mobile app for iOS and Android
- To use a single codebase for both platforms
- To reduce development time and costs
- A near-native mobile experience
- The ability to launch your app on the Apple App Store and Google Play
Key Differences of React vs React Native
To summarise everything covered above, find the key differences between these two technologies below:
| Feature | ReactJS | React Native |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Builds websites and web applications | Builds mobile apps for iOS and Android |
| Runs on | Web browsers (Chrome, Edge, Safari, etc.) | Smartphones and tablets |
| Uses | HTML, CSS and JavaScript | Native mobile components with JavaScript |
| Best For | Business websites / E-commerce stores / Dashboards / Web apps | Mobile apps / Social media apps / Fitness apps / Banking apps |
| SEO | Yes – websites can be indexed by search engines | No – mobile apps use App Store Optimisation (ASO) instead |
| User Experience | Optimised for desktop and mobile web browsers | Provides a native app experience on mobile devices |
| Learning Curve | Easier for beginners with basic web development knowledge | Easier to learn if you already know React |
Need Help Choosing or Building With the Right Technology?
In short, ReactJS is designed for web applications, while React Native is engineered for multiple-platform mobile development. For dynamic, interactive, and responsive UI for web interfaces, React could be your best option, but React Native works especially well for creating mobile apps with a truly native feel.
But the ReactJS vs React Native decision is only the first part of the job.
NPK Media can help assess the right approach, then design and build the application through our web development services. Discuss your project requirements in more detail by contacting a member of our friendly team here at NPK Media.
ReactJS vs React Native: FAQs
Which is better - React vs React Native?
Neither is better overall - it solely depends on what you're building digitally.
React could be your best choice if you need a website or web application, or React Native would be better if you're developing a mobile app for iOS and Android.
Do you need to know React to learn React Native?
It’s not essential, but having a basic understanding of React makes learning React Native much easier.
Both use many of the same concepts, so knowing React would be a good foundation if you plan to build mobile apps.
Can you add React to an existing website?
Yes - absolutely.
React can be added to an existing website without rebuilding it from scratch, making it a popular choice for gradually improving older websites with interactive features.
Does using React Native save money instead of building separate native apps?
In many cases, yes.
This is because developers can use a single codebase for both iOS and Android, so React Native can reduce development time, maintenance and overall project costs.
What programming language do I need to learn to use React or React Native?
Both React and React Native primarily use JavaScript.
Many developers also learn TypeScript, which adds extra features to JavaScript and is commonly used in larger projects.
How should I choose between React and React Native for my project?
The decision ultimately comes down to the type of application you want to build.
If your goal is a website or web app, choose React, whereas if you need a mobile app for iOS and Android, React Native is the better option.
