It has always been a debatable topic among the mobile app developers that which is a better framework for mobile application development, React or Angular? These two JS frameworks come in top mobile app development frameworks in 2020. And in this article, we are going to focus on the pros and cons of each framework. We will try to figure which framework is better for a particular type of mobile application development. The reason why we are discussing these two frameworks is that they are backed by two different tech giants Google and Facebook. React is backed by Facebook, while Angular is supported by Google.
React Vs Angular: Comparison Chart
| Feature | React | Angular |
| Framework Type | JS Library | JS Framework |
| Release Date | In March 2013 | In September 2016 |
| Programming Language | JS | TypeScript |
| DOM | Real | Virtual |
| Backed By | Facebook | Google |
| Learning Curve | Flat | Steep |
| Data Binding | Uni-directional | Bidirectional |
| Abstraction | Medium | Strong |
Let’s discuss these frameworks in more detail.
React
React is the best JS library which you can use for developing a highly interactive user interface in the app. With React, each stage of your app will acquire simple views by allowing you to design. It is based on JS and JSX, an extension of javascript. React mobile application developers can reuse HTML documents for frontend development through React. It is an open-source library which you can use for creating SPAs as well as mobile apps.
Although, while developing mobile apps, you can use React for rendering data to DOM i.e. to develop the app by React, you have to use additional libraries for routing and state management such as Redux, React Router etc.
Benefits of React Framework
Better UX
Unlike other JS framework, React takes use of a virtual DOM (an abstract of Real DOM). Due to this, the mobile app developers find easy to make changes in the application without affecting other components of the application. This will result in building a highly dynamic User Interface.
Saves Time
With React, the mobile app developers can reuse the code at particular levels any instant. As the components are mutually exclusive, they will not affect the working of each other, so it easy to manage the updates. This saves the mobile application development time and efficient for developers.
Faster Testing
The React library Redux eliminates the issue of storing or managing significant sized complex applications components with enormous dynamic elements. The developers can add application state in a single object and empower every app component. Hence, the developer can access each element without involving child components.
Angular
Angular is a one-step framework that developers can use for developing mobile as well as desktop applications. It comes with existing templates, or you can use existing components or bring them in your own. Hence the mobile app developers will have almost no difficulty in implementing the features on the app. Angular is also an open-source framework based on TypeScript. It is a part of MEAN Stack while React is the part of MERN stack. It is highly compatible with numerous code editors and programs written in JS.
You would be surprised to know many of the most extensive application of Google are developed on the Angular framework. It signifies its scalability and how advanced its infrastructure is. With this framework, Angular application developers get incredible support, infrastructure, scalability, data handling abilities, so you have no hassle in creating amazing apps. An Angular developer can do whatever is required using the tools and support components of Angular.
Benefits of Angular Framework
Clean Code
In Angular, TypeScript language is used for writing programs, which is a superset of JS language. It compiles JS but also makes the finding process more straightforward and helps in eliminating common errors while typing the code.
That’s why the developers write clean and error-free code to make sure a better code quality.
There is an independent hierarchy injection in the Angular, better than AngularJS, in which the classes are independent of each other. They work towards external resources which improves the performance of an Angular mobile application.
Material Design-like interface
There are pre-build design components in the Angular across pop-ups, layouts, data tables etc. These design components let the developers overcome the obstacle of Google’s Material Design and design the app in a better manner for the long run.
Better error handling
The angular latest version, i.e. Angular 7 have upgraded error handling features for output in those scenarios where a property is not initialised.
Read about: Avoid These 11 Mistakes During React Native App Development
Comparison Between React and Angular
It is hard to compare two technologies based on the benefits. But a table of comparison between the two frameworks gives a bright idea.
| Factor | Angular | React |
| Componentization | It has a fixed and complex structure as it is based on MVC architecture, i.e. Model, View and Controller. The developers can break the code into different files. They can also reuse the templates into different application parts. | In React, the architecture is different. The developers can create component tree easily. Its library has functional programming where the component definitions are declarative. The codes are logically structured and readable. The developers don’t need to write code in any specific way. |
| State Management | Angular doesn’t use Redux for handling states | React use Redux for handling state. |
| Self-sufficiency | Angular is a full-fledged development framework which doesn’t require any inclusion of library. The developer can implement every function through the help of Angular package. | React, on the other hand, requires additional libraries such as React Router, Redux, Helmet etc. for optimising routing process, state management, and interacting with API. |
| Languages | Angular uses TypeScript to navigate the code and spot the typos. | React uses JavaScript ES6+ language, which is in combination with JSX script. |
| UI Components | Angular has an in-built Material techstack which in turn has pre-built material design components. Hence in Angular, the UI configuration is fast and straightforward. | In React, its community has developed UI tools. These tools are available on the React portal and can be free or paid to use. |
| Directives | Templates are returned with attributes, and Angular directive syntax is sophisticated and complex. | Logics & templates are explained at the end of every component. The developers can understand the meaning of code without knowing the syntax. |
| Toolset | Use code editing tools like Sublime Text, Aptana, Visual Studio. Angular CLI is used for setting up the project while Angular Universal do the server-rendering | Use code editors like Sublime Text, Atom, and Visual Studio. For bootstrapping Create React App tool is used while Next.js framework is used for server-side rendering. |
| Architecture | Use TypeScript with Component-based architecture | Use JavaScript with Component-based architecture |
| Development Speed | Better development experience due to CLI that creates a workspace and design functioning applications swiftly and produce components with single-line commands. | Development speed affects 3rd party libraries. React mobile app tool kit is different for each project. |
Read more: React Native Unit Testing: A comprehensive Guide
Wrapping Up
React mobile application development or Angular mobile application development have their own benefits or merits. It depends on your project requirement which framework is better for your mobile application development. Our mobile app developers can give you the best consultation regarding the framework and other technologies for your mobile application development.
