React vs Vanilla JS

Pick React when you need the deepest hiring pool and widest library ecosystem for a complex, long-lived SPA or a Next meets developers should learn vanilla js to build a strong foundation in web development, as it is essential for understanding how frameworks like react or vue work under the hood. Here's our take.

React

Nice Pick

Pick React when you need the deepest hiring pool and widest library ecosystem for a complex, long-lived SPA or a Next

Pros

• js product — that's still where most senior frontend candidates live
• Related to: next-js, typescript

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

Vanilla JS

Developers should learn Vanilla JS to build a strong foundation in web development, as it is essential for understanding how frameworks like React or Vue work under the hood

Pros

• It is particularly useful for small projects, performance-critical applications, or when minimal dependencies are desired, such as in lightweight scripts or browser extensions
• Related to: javascript, dom-manipulation

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

The Verdict

These tools serve different purposes. React is a framework while Vanilla JS is a language. We picked React based on overall popularity, but your choice depends on what you're building.

The Bottom Line

React wins

Based on overall popularity. React is more widely used, but Vanilla JS excels in its own space.

Related Comparisons