This Is Why You Cant Compare Angular and React

Through​‍​‌‍​‍‌ the frontend community, there is this debate that I keep hearing over and over: "React vs Angular: which one is better?" Some developers take the side of React while others debate in favor of Angular and the discussion goes indefinitely. But the point is how can you even compare React and Angular as one is just a library while other is a complete framework.

Let me give you an example to clarify this: someone shows you a car and an engine and says, "Tell me which one is better?" What would be your answer? You cannot say that the engine is a bad one just because it does not have wheels or seats. It is not even supposed to have them. And you cannot say that the car is a bad one just because the engine inside is not as customizable. They are made for different things.

This is exactly the problem with comparing React and Angular.

React: The Engine

React is the engine that has the power. By itself, it does not make everything. It is not supposed to. An engine cannot take you to school or work by itself, but it provides the necessary power with which you can make a vehicle exactly the way you want.

The situation with React is the same. It is only a UI library. To construct a complete app, you take routing, state management, form handling, and whatever else you need just like you would take tires, seats, and a steering system to complete your engine. The greatest power of React is that you yourself come to decide who will provide these parts.

Therefore, React is not an incomplete one, rather it is the engine. React was developed to be engine and not a complete car. You never say an engine is incomplete just because it doesn't have wheels or steerings or seats or windows.

Angular: The Complete Car

Angular on the other hand, is the complete car. When you buy a car, it automatically comes with an engine, doors, wheels, seats, lights, and many more utilities that makes the car complete. All you need to do is learn how to drive it.

Everything works as such with Angular. It has routing, HTTP tools, form handling, dependency injection, built-in structure, and much more. Nothing needs to be added from outside.

It is not that Angular is better than React it is just more complete since it is a full framework.

A Comparison That Does Make Sense

If the intention is to make a fair comparison, then the comparison should be between Angular and Vue. The reason being?

Because both are full frameworks.

They have routing, structure, built-in features, and complete solutions ready for use. The comparison between Angular and Vue is the comparison of two cars.

But the comparison between React (a library) with Angular (a framework) is the comparison of:

• An engine
• And a fully assembled car

Different categories and that’s why the debate always seems to be a mess and doesn’t make any sense.

Why Comparing Angular and React Is Pointless

The main point is this: it is fundamentally incorrect to compare React and Angular

It is like saying:

• The engine is less valuable because it lacks seats.
• The car is less valuable because the engine cannot be easily customized.

These two statements doesn't make sense at all because in both cases, the things being compared have different purposes.

React is not expected to have all the features that Angular has. Angular is not supposed to offer the same flexibility as React. When a direct comparison is made, categories are confused, and arguments that do not correspond logically are brought up.

Angular vs React isn't comparison. Its about selection.

Each​‍​‌‍​‍‌ of the two is nice in its own way, and one is not absolutely better or worse than the other. The main question, however, is which one suits my requirements better and will be more effective for the things I want to do.

In case your goal is to have absolute freedom, control over every detail and the ability to create your own framework, then go for React (the ​‍​‌‍​‍‌engine):

• Maximum freedom
• Control over every part
• The ability to build your own structure

If you want to have a full package, a strong structure from the start and everything included in one place, choose Angular (the car).

• A full package
• Strong structure from the start
• Everything included in one place

Both React and Angular are great in their own rights but they're not even the same game. React is the powerful, flexible engine you use to build whatever vehicle you want. Angular​‍​‌‍​‍‌ is the fully built car, with every component already there. "Which one is better ? React or Angular ?  is equivalent to asking "Which one is better ? Car or Engine?". The question itself is ​‍​‌‍​‍‌incorrect. They both are related to transmission (in case of car or engine) or frontend development(in case of React or Angular). However, they are developed for completely different purposes within the same domain, solve different level of problems, and are suitable for different types of projects.

So the next time someone says "React vs Angular : who wins ?", you know the answer: They are incomparable. The only thing you can do is picking the one that best suits your ​‍​‌‍​‍‌journey.