How is ReactJs different from React Native Library?

React (React.js) is a JavaScript library for building web user interfaces, while React Native is a framework for building iOS and Android applications from one codebase. Both were created by Meta and share React concepts, but React targets the browser and React Native targets mobile platforms.

React.js and React Native share the same React concepts, but they are built for different platforms and use cases. React.js is primarily used to create web interfaces, while React Native is used to build mobile applications for iOS and Android.

This guide compares how React and React Native work, where they differ, and which option is better suited to web or mobile development.

What are React and React Native?

React

React, also called React.js, is a JavaScript library for building user interfaces for websites and web applications. Developers use it to create reusable components, manage changing interface data, and build interactive experiences in the browser.

React is commonly used for single-page applications, dashboards, portals, and other web interfaces that need fast, component-based updates. It can also work with other libraries and frameworks as part of a broader frontend stack.

React was first developed at Facebook in 2011 and was later open-sourced in 2013.

React Native

React Native is an open-source framework for building mobile applications for iOS and Android using JavaScript and React concepts. It allows developers to share much of the application logic across platforms while rendering interfaces with native UI components.

Unlike React.js, which targets the browser, React Native is designed for mobile application development. Developers can also integrate platform-specific native modules when an app needs functionality that is not handled by shared JavaScript code.

React Native was introduced by Facebook in 2015 and has since become a widely used option for cross-platform mobile development. 

React vs React Native: key differences

React and React Native share core React concepts, but they differ in platform, rendering approach, technologies, and ideal use cases. The table below summarizes the main differences.

How React and React Native render interfaces

React

React updates web interfaces through the browser DOM. It uses a virtual representation of the UI to determine which parts of a page need to change, then updates the relevant DOM elements efficiently.

This approach helps React handle dynamic web interfaces without reloading the entire page whenever data or application state changes. 

React Native

React Native does not render standard HTML elements in a browser. Instead, it maps React components to native mobile UI components on iOS and Android.

Developers can share much of the application's JavaScript logic across platforms while using native modules or platform-specific code when device features or specialized functionality require it. 

Efficiency

React and React Native can both improve development efficiency, but in different ways.

React helps developers build reusable web components and update browser interfaces efficiently as application data changes. It is well suited to dynamic websites, dashboards, and web applications that need a maintainable component structure.

React Native improves efficiency for mobile development by allowing teams to share much of the application logic across iOS and Android. Platform-specific code can still be added when an app needs native functionality, performance tuning, or device-level features.

Which should you choose, and who should you hire?

Choose React when you are building a website, dashboard, portal, or web application that runs in the browser. If you need dedicated frontend expertise, you can hire React developers for your web project.

Choose React Native when you are building a mobile application for iOS and Android and want to share much of the application logic across both platforms. For mobile development, you can hire React Native developers based on your app requirements.

Need help with the hiring process itself? See how to hire React developers for web projects, or learn how to hire React Native developers for mobile app projects.

Conclusion

React and React Native share the same core React concepts, but they serve different development needs. React is the better fit for websites and web applications that run in the browser, while React Native is designed for mobile applications that target iOS and Android.

If your project is web-focused, you can hire React developers. If you are building a mobile app, you can hire React Native developers based on your platform and development requirements.