Angular vs React Popularity for 2023 Web Development

Some debates seem to go on and on. Mac or Windows? SQL or NoSQL? .NET or Java? John Wick or Jason Bourne? In reality, none of these are debates and are instead an exercise in choice. Well, except for John or Jason - there’s a clear winner there right?!

One of your continued choices in web applications development ad user interfaces is over which frontend UI approach to use- React or Angular. This article will cover React and Angular benefits and challenges, and give you more information on which to base your decision for future projects.

What is a JavaScript framework?

JavaScript frameworks are collections of JavaScript code, tools, and helpers that assist developers in writing effective JavaScript web apps and complex applications faster and easier. Think of a framework as a collection of code that has already been designed, written, and tested to be used for a specific purpose. A framework is different from a JavaScript library, which is different from a run-time.

What is a JavaScript library?

jQuery is an example of a JavaScript library. jQuery is a specific piece of code you can include in your web applications to help with various user interface activities like auto-completion or other visual elements. jQuery is not a holistic collection of code logic, tools, and helpers like a full framework - it is a smaller library of specific additional functionality you can add to a website. In the case of jQuery, its code logic improves the user experience and makes complex UI situations easier.

What is a JavaScript run-time?

Node.js is an example of a JavaScript run-time. Node.js is sometimes referred to as a framework but technically it is not. It is a JavaScript run-time based on the Chrome V8 engine. As a run-time, it can be used to run JavaScript solutions within it. Node.js has become hugely popular because it is a run-time that runs server-side. So, JavaScript code can now be run server-side to create things like web servers, REST APIs, chat servers, business applications, data access code, and so much more.

What is React?

React is technically a library rather than a full-fledged framework, but boy is it an amazing one. Originally developed by Facebook, React has become one of the top 3 most popular user interface tools based on JavaScript.

React’s library approach lends to its ability to take a very incremental approach to its usage. React has a reputation for being easy to learn, easy to use, and easy to apply just as much as you need to get something working rather than having to apply a lot of scaffolding to get something up and working.

React also provides React Native, a library that supports building native mobile apps using React. Developers love taking React’s simple, view-oriented, one-way data binding, and strong debugging features and applying that knowledge to both web and native mobile development.

What is Angular?

Angular is a complete rewrite of Google’s original Angular.js framework. With a reputation as a complete framework, and based on TypeScript, Angular has a more steep learning curve than other options like React or Vue. But with its TypeScript safety, complete scaffolding support, and good behavior in large projects, Angular is popular on large projects and in larger organizations like Microsoft, Google, Paypal, UpWork, and others.

Developers enjoy the completeness of the full Angular framework. It is based on the MVC (Model View Controller) pattern. It supports dependency injection. It adds earlier detection of errors and bugs via additional type safety using TypeScript. These traits make it a popular choice for organizations working on large projects or with multiple teams too.

What are the benefits of React?

Here are some top benefits of React:

1. Faster to learn - typically easier and faster to learn than Angular due to its simplicity, smaller overall size, and not having to also learn TypeScript
2. Faster to run - typically faster due to its virtual DOM implementation
3. React also offers React Native, a library that supports building native mobile apps

What are the benefits of Angular?

TypeScript Support

My opinion is that TypeScript is a benefit because once you learn it you will benefit from its positive impact on bug and error prevention

2-Way Data Binding

While it may be a bit more complex to implement, support for 2-way data binding gives more user interface options than just 1-way data binding

Scalability

The full Angular framework provides strong scalability options via tools like its CLI (command line interface)

What are the challenges with React?

Scalability

React makes it easy to get an interface started and to improve it incrementally, but it’s not as strong as Angular in its ability to scale a project

Dependencies

React has some key dependencies that it doesn’t come with, unlike Angular. For example, if you need state management, or routing support, or material design components you will need additional packages like Redux and others

No Dependency Injection

I don’t believe dependency injection is currently supported in React

What are the challenges with Angular?

Size

Angular is much larger than React so there’s more to send down to the client on the initial load; be sure to test whether this will be an issue or not for you

Learning curve

Typically a steeper learning curve than React due to its larger size, complexity, dependency injection, and TypeScript learning curve

Large Scope

Angular is really good at building enterprise apps, but it may not be the right tool for building interactive UI components

Other React vs Angular Popularity Questions

Which is faster?

If you are just looking at raw client-side speed, React probably has the edge. React takes a virtual DOM approach which has a significant speed improvement in manipulating the DOM and affecting UI components.

Which are most companies using?

If you look at job postings on LinkedIn, Indeed, Glassdoor, and other sites, you will see plenty of listings that include React and Angular. There are definitely companies looking for skills in React and Angular. But is there a clear distinction in which approach is most popular with companies who are hiring?

No.

When it comes to popularity, we can chart 2022 Google Trends search data roughly below:

At 42%, React ranks #2 in search popularity right behind Node.js.

Angular ranks #5 at 20%.

Also, it’s really no secret that React popularity has been trending upward at a faster rate recently than Angular.

But popularity doesn’t necessarily equal usage. React is fun and easy to use, creates great-looking interactive interfaces, and supports getting interfaces started more quickly than Angular. But how many sites are actually using React vs Angular?

Based on a 2022 web technology study by Web Technology Surveys:

1. React is used by approximately 3.8% of sites that use JavaScript
2. Angular is used by approximately 0.6% of sites that use JavaScript

So to summarize, React is searched for twice as much as Angular based on Google Trends searches, and React is used six times as much as Angular by websites that use JavaScript.

When should you choose React vs Angular?

Consider choosing React when:

• You are building an interactive web app or native mobile app
• You want to get started quickly
• You want the simplicity of one-way data binding
• Your developers are strong in JavaScript, HTML, CSS

Consider choosing Angular when:

• You are building a complex enterprise web app
• You need the complexity of two-way data binding
• You need a complete frontend to backend framework
• Your developers are strong in C#, Angular, and MVC

I hope this article helps you understand some of the differences between React and Angular. Use this information for future projects, for discussion with your employer, and for consideration in your personal career growth and goal planning.