WordPress vs React: Which Is Better in 2024?

The web development market is continually growing, with fresh platforms and techniques being developed each year. WordPress and React are going to remain the most prominent website creation platforms. Used by millions of websites worldwide, WordPress has become an admired Content Management System. Comparatively, React is a new JavaScript framework that is used to create user interfaces (UIs). React has gained popularity in a very short period. The platform that you choose plays a vital role in the success of your website. From a wide range of technologies available it is necessary to know about their specification to make your software perform well.  In this blog, we’ll compare WordPress vs React 2024 to help you decide. After reading this article, you should be able to make a wise choice about which platform is ideal for you in 2024. Consider your needs and the specifications of a WordPress development company.

What is WordPress?

WordPress originally intended for blogging, is a well-known content management system (CMS). It grew and developed into a flexible platform for creating any kind of website. Being a free and open-source software, it is used in over 40% of all websites on the internet. WordPress powers 36.28% of the top one million websites.

One of the key benefits that WordPress provides is its simplicity of use. Its straightforward dashboard and user-friendly layout make it simple for users to add new pages and articles. Users can manage their content and alter their websites easily. WordPress also boasts an extensive collection of plugins and themes. These enhance its features and allow users to customize their designs.

What is React.js?

React – A JavaScript library or a tool is used for creating user interfaces (UIs). It is well-liked and open-source. It has gained widespread adoption after being developed by Facebook in 2011. React.js is mainly used for creating dynamic and interactive web apps. Every top React development company specializes in this technology.

React’s component-based architecture is a key feature. Developers can divide their UI into manageable segments. These segments are called components. Components are reusable code segments. This makes development more efficient and organized. The UI can be updated and managed more easily when these components are paired together to form more intricate UI elements.

To maximize efficiency, React uses a virtual Document Object Model (DOM). This approach reduces direct modifications to the browser’s DOM. As a result, the user interface renders and updates more quickly. This makes the interface more responsive. A little over 15%, or 155,670, of the one million websites with the most traffic are React users. 

Difference Between WordPress and React

Understanding the distinctions between front-end technologies and content management systems is crucial. When selecting a platform for web development, this knowledge is essential. React and WordPress each have advantages and are appropriate for certain project kinds. To assist you in making an informed choice, we will compare and contrast WordPress vs React based on several different elements here.

Type of Websites

• WordPress

With a vast library of themes and plugins, WordPress lets you design and add features to your website exactly how you want. It also offers strong back-end features. This makes it well-suited for content-driven websites. WordPress is perfect for those without substantial technical skills. It provides a quick and affordable solution for organizing and publishing content.

About half 45.8% of all websites on the internet were built with WordPress in 2023. The data represents a significant increase of 43.2% compared to 2022. This indicates that WordPress is used on more than two out of every five websites.

• React

Facebook developed the JavaScript framework React. This framework is designed for creating user interfaces. It is particularly useful for single-page applications (SPAs). It is employed in the development of dynamic, interactive websites with intricate user interfaces. By 2023, there were almost 2 billion websites, and 13,441,975 of them used React to create their user interfaces. 

React is appropriate for online apps that need to update in real-time, including dashboards, social media platforms, and other apps that depend heavily on user involvement. Since React lacks a back-end system, unlike WordPress, developers frequently combine it with other technologies to manage data and content.

User Interface

• WordPress

With WordPress, users can easily construct visually appealing websites with a plethora of pre-built themes and designs by a leading Web Development company. Designing pages and posts is made simple by the block-based content generation method offered by the Gutenberg editor. However, unless bespoke coding is done, personalization may be restricted by theme and plugin limitations.

• React

React gives developers total control over the user interface, allowing them to produce highly personalized and distinctive designs. Because of its component-based architecture, user interface components can be used in many areas of the program. The development of intricate and engaging user interfaces is made easier by this modular strategy. Because of React’s adaptability, custom designs that are catered to particular user experiences are possible.

Performance

• WordPress

WordPress performance might vary based on server configurations, theme and plugin quality, and other factors. WordPress may not be able to match the speed levels of applications created with contemporary JavaScript frameworks for dynamic content, even though it can manage heavy traffic with the correct optimizations (such as caching, CDN integration, and optimized hosting).

About every two minutes, a new WordPress website ranking in the top 10 million is launched. This implies that, out of the top 10 million websites, over 1000 WordPress sites were built every single day of the year.

• React

High performance is a hallmark of React apps, particularly when it comes to UI rendering. React improves application speed and responsiveness by quickly updating and rendering only the components that have changed using a virtual DOM. React is therefore the best option for apps that need to engage with users quickly and in real-time.

React is used by several well-known, popular websites for their front-end development needs. The top 3 websites are WordPress.org, Linkedin.com, and Apple.com. Reuters.com, Ibm.com, Sciencedirect.com, Issuu.com, Dropbox.com, Wixsite.com, and WordPress.com trail behind them. 

Flexibility

• WordPress

WordPress provides versatility by enabling users to add a vast array of capabilities to their websites without the need for coding thanks to its vast plugin ecosystem. This adaptability, nevertheless, occasionally results in conflicts between themes or plugins, which compromises the stability of the website. It is possible to design custom software, but keeping it compatible with WordPress core updates may take a lot of work. 

• React

When it comes to development flexibility, React is unparalleled. Custom components and API integration with a variety of back-end services are both possible for developers. The React ecosystem allows the creation of intricate and unique applications. This is possible due to frameworks like Redux for state management. React Router is also key for navigation. However, this flexibility requires a deeper understanding of JavaScript. Additionally, more advanced development skills are necessary.

Learning Curve

• WordPress

The learning curve for WordPress is not too high, especially for non-developers. It is accessible to novices due to its vast documentation and user-friendly design. Installing and configuring themes and plugins does not require much technical expertise. Developers may take some time to learn PHP and understand WordPress architecture. However, the fundamentals are simple to grasp.

• React

React has a higher learning curve, particularly for people who are not familiar with contemporary front-end development or JavaScript. It is essential to comprehend ideas like component lifecycle, state management, and JSX. But if you understand these ideas, React offers strong tools to create complex apps. In order to take full advantage of React’s capabilities, developers frequently need to pick up extra tools and libraries.

Community Support

• WordPress

WordPress has a sizable and vibrant community with millions of users and developers. They contribute to themes, plugins, and support forums. This makes it easy to find assistance and support for any problems. There is a wealth of resources available. These include community forums, official documentation, and tutorials.

• React

React benefits from a large contributor base and Facebook’s support. It has a thriving community. Within the React ecosystem, you’ll find numerous libraries, tools, and resources. These resources enhance React’s capabilities and usability. To learn and troubleshoot, there is a wealth of documentation, tutorials, and forums accessible. Moreover, new features and best practices are always developing in the React community due to its fast-paced innovation. Meta has released 18th versions of React thus far. However, most websites still favor using Version 16, which has been around since 2017. This is even though newer versions are readily available. 

Scalability

• WordPress

If WordPress is optimized and has the proper infrastructure in place, it can handle huge traffic and enormous amounts of material. However because of its monolithic architecture and dependence on plugins, it is frequently unable to scale, which might result in performance snags as the website gets bigger.  WordPress is used by 65.2% of all websites using a content management system.

• React

React’s architecture is component-based. This means it’s built in a way that each part, or component, is separate. Developers find this useful because it makes the system scalable.  Large volumes of data and user interactions can be handled by reacting apps, which can also be performance-optimized. Scalability can be further improved by combining Node.js, serverless architectures, and microservices with React.

Mobile App

• WordPress

WordPress has some mobile options, but its primary concentration is on web creation. Websites appear great on mobile devices thanks to responsive themes. Furthermore, WordPress websites can be made into mobile apps using plugins and services, although the functionality and user experience may not be as good as with native mobile apps.

• React

Facebook created the React Native framework, which expands React’s functionality to include mobile app development. With React Native, developers can create native apps for iOS and Android using the same components and web development principles as React. Because of this, switching from the web to mobile is easy and offers a unified user experience on all devices. The efficiency and native appearance of React Native apps are well-known.

Choosing Between WordPress and React in 2024

The decision between WordPress and React ultimately comes down to the particular requirements and objectives of your website. When choosing this choice, keep the following things in mind:

• Website goal

WordPress is great for content-focused websites, like news or blogs. React is better suited for interactive sites, such as apps or e-commerce. WordPress excels in publishing content. React shines in creating intricate user interfaces. If your site needs interactive elements, choose React. For content-driven sites, WordPress is an excellent choice.

• Required level of customization

WordPress provides a vast library of themes and plugins for website customization. These tools alter both appearance and functionality. React, in contrast, empowers users with greater UI freedom and control. It facilitates intricate interactions for sophisticated customization needs.

• Scalability requirements

React can be a better option because of its performance optimization and capacity to handle complicated data if you expect your website to see a large increase in traffic or if you need advanced capabilities.

Conclusion:- Making the Choice: WordPress or React?

The decision between WordPress and React depends on project requirements. WordPress suits content-focused sites with simple frameworks. React, on the other hand, offers scalability and interactivity. In summary, choosing between them requires considering project needs. Developers must weigh the advantages and disadvantages. They can build adaptable websites with either platform.