What I Learned Switching from Vue to React (But Still a Vue Dev)

🧠 What I Learned Switching from Vue to React (…but still a Vue Dev)

As a frontend developer primarily working with Vue.js, I recently took some time to explore React. It was a challenging yet eye-opening experience — and while I still prefer Vue for most projects, here's what I learned along the way:

What I Learned Switching from Vue to React – Visual Framework Comparison

⚛️ JSX is powerful, but takes time

React uses JSX — a syntax extension that lets you write HTML-like code inside JavaScript. While it's incredibly powerful and flexible, it can feel messy compared to Vue’s clean <template> structure. Once you get past the learning curve, it starts to make sense — especially for building highly dynamic UIs.

🔄 Hooks are a big brain shift

React's hook system (useState, useEffect, etc.) is powerful but takes time to master. It forces you to think differently about reactivity and side effects. Coming from Vue’s simpler ref() and computed() pattern, it felt like extra boilerplate — though I appreciate the control it provides.

📦 React = More Choices, More Setup

React gives you the freedom to choose your own tools: routing, state management, animations, and more. But that flexibility comes at a cost — more decisions and more setup. Vue, on the other hand, offers a more streamlined experience with official tools like Vue Router and Pinia.

⚙️ JS All The Things

React encourages you to write everything in JavaScript — even styles (e.g., with styled-components or CSS-in-JS). It's great for full customization, but I often missed Vue’s simpler scoped styles in SFCs.

🌐 React has a massive ecosystem

No doubt about it — React dominates the frontend ecosystem. Tons of libraries, jobs, and community support. If you're looking for market reach, React is a solid bet.

💚 Vue still feels like home

While React taught me a lot — especially about functional programming and component architecture — I still feel most productive with Vue. The Composition API, clean separation of concerns, and official tooling make development fast and enjoyable.

Final Thought:
React expanded my perspective as a developer, but Vue remains my go-to framework. It’s all about choosing the right tool for the project — and sometimes, stepping outside your comfort zone helps you grow.

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Have you tried switching between Vue and React? What was your experience like? Let me know in the comments!

#VueJS #ReactJS #FrontendDevelopment #WebDev #JavaScript #CodingJourney #VueNexus