ven someone learning the depths of programming most likely has heard of JavaScript (JS). We will share a brief introduction if you have not known about it. JavaScript is one of the oldest programming languages, having appeared in December 1995. By now, JS is also the most used tool among programmers worldwide.

According to Statista, 64,9% of devs use JavaScript these days. Wait! What does this have to do with the difference between React and ReactJS? The JS notation has the most direct relevance to this topic because it is why people get confused about ReactJS.

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Some backstory to understand the root of the problem

Adding JS to the name of a frontend solution is a common practice. It lets us know that this or that solution was created using JavaScript. As a result, it gives users an idea of the framework's philosophy, structure, and basic patterns.

When asking The Frontend Company team about the difference between React and ReactJS, the AngularJS framework comes to mind. This tool appeared 12 years ago and was very popular among devs some time ago. In the case of AngularJS, the notation JS plays a cruel joke. Angular 1 (AngularJS) is based on JS and has all the patterns of this programming language.

One more Angular exists in the world. It no longer has the JS prefix, and it functions entirely differently. This framework is based on another programming language called TypeScript. Despite the same name, they are two fundamentally separate tools. If you are interested, here you will find a small list of distinctions between the two.

The bitter experience of confusing these technologies has led to rumors of Angular dead. Besides, because of this situation, some people reassure themselves and specify, «What is the difference between React and ReactJS?». You can find dozens of articles on the web where experts use React and ReactJS for this JavaScript library.

Is there any difference between React and ReactJS?

In fact, there is no difference between React and ReactJS. They are the same technology. In contrast to AngularJS, the creators decided not to complicate our lives, and the following versions of the frontend tool were created based on the same programming language and logic. React is a shortened form of the full name of the open-source JS library ReactJS. There is any difference between them.

Comparing ReactJS to React Native (RN) is another matter. We need to consider the features and characteristics of the tools in this case. Each of the technologies is aimed at solving their specific tasks.

Note: Often, when searching for an answer to the question of what the difference between React and ReactJS is, people actually mean React vs React Native comparison. Such confusion is more common among non-tech-savvy people. Alternatively, newbies.

What is React (ReactJS)?

As mentioned above, React is a JavaScript library that allows programmers to develop UI/UX components for their projects. It is not a framework where you are limited by a strict set of rules and structure. With ReactJS, you have much more flexibility to build a web project for any industry and design.

Advantages of the technology:

• you can reuse some components;
• the open-source instrument has many add-ons;
• a stable code;
• the virtual DOM allows you to interact with much traffic;
• a flexible code structure;
• you can easily scale the project;
• massive support from Meta Platforms (ex-Facebook Inc.).

Disadvantages of the technology:

• no structured documentation;
• too much leeway;
• large projects are more challenging to update.

What is React Native?

RN is a cross-platform mobile framework allowing developers to build native-like apps. This tool lets you develop mobile applications with a flat UI and UX needs similar to the web version. This technology appeared two years after the ReactJS presentation, and since that time, the mobile framework has been steadily in the top 3 most used technologies globally.

Advantages of the framework:

• many native-like UX components;
• faster development process due to the ability to reuse part of the code;
• quick testing;
• design similar to ReactJS;
• great features for scalable projects;
• extensive community and constant development.

Disadvantages of the framework: 

• additional source code checking is required;
• no official framework for testing;
• you cannot write a single code to be used on different platforms.

Probably, here is everything you need to know about the difference between React and ReactJS and React Native. It should be enough to start developing your own web or mobile app, or to hire a qualified ReactJS developer.

FAQ

Is ReactJS or React Native better?

There is no answer to this question. Programmers use ReactJS to build web projects and services. At the same time, React Native is a mobile framework essential for mobile application development. Comparing the two solutions is wrong.

Which is better JS or React?

Every developer will have a different opinion on the matter. Above, when dealing with the difference between React and ReactJS, we briefly mentioned that this open-source library is written in the JavaScript programming language. So, React (ReactJS) repeats the JS philosophy and patterns in one way or another. If we talk in terms of web app development features and UI/UX capabilities, in our opinion, React is the winner.

What is ReactJS used for?

ReactJS is used to develop large and small web projects and differs from other tools of its incredible freedom of action. That is why React is actively used for building applications and services in e-commerce, social networks, messengers, and entertainment. The technology is also suitable for task scheduling and any other interaction projects.