The importance of Bootstrap and React through the lens of data:
- Bootstrap is the second most popular framework that holds 14.38% of the entire market share.
React, on the other hand, is the preferred choice of 60% of developers around the world.
- Giants such as PayPal, WhatsApp, and Vogue use Bootstrap whereas Netflix, Twitter, and BBC use React.
- 4.25 million people have downloaded Bootstrap for web development whereas React comes with 191k stars on GitHub.
Now you might be confused. You might be asking, “Is React better than Bootstrap or the other way around?” You might be wondering whether to hire React developers or Bootstrap ones. Don’t worry, this React-Bootstrap comparative guide will offer you all the answers.
In the next five minutes, learn all about Bootstrap vs React for building front-end apps. The complete guide will discuss:
- What kind of application architecture both frameworks have
- What kind of security both frameworks offer
- How suitable are both the frameworks for enterprise-grade applications
- How easy it is to scale both the frameworks
- What kind of user experience both the frameworks offer
Without further ado, let’s begin the React vs Bootstrap comparative guide.
| Parameter | Bootstrap | React |
| Popularity | Bootstrap comes with 158k stars on GitHub. | React comes with 191k stars on GitHub |
| Application Architecture | Bootstrap needs a predefined architecture such as View-View-Controller (VVC).
The architecture plays the role of a view component in the MVC design during web app development. |
React never needs an architectural design.
React components build a web app’s view layer within a click. |
| Performance | Bootstrap comes with the bandwidth for its several customizations.
However, the performance is quite slow, especially when you compare it with React. |
React comes with smooth performance thanks to its component-based architecture and reusable features.
Furthermore, the framework lowers the dependency on reloading the web page to update the data. |
| Application Size | The size of the Bootstrap app is dependable on the content length.
The size can range between 49 KB in JavaScript to 137 KB in CSS. |
The size of the React app is quite large, especially when you compare it with Bootstrap apps.
However, the latest versions of the React apps have been reduced by up to 30%. |
| Security | Bootstrap is vulnerable to XSS implications.
Content security policies and a JavaScript sanitizer are needed to protect the framework. |
React is vulnerable to XSS implications, server-side attacks, and SQL injections.
Protection from unsecured links and Script injection flaws aids in reducing security threats. |
| User Experience | The buttons, drop-down menus, themes, sliders, and in-built templates in Bootstrap offer an immersive user experience. | React comes with a library that’s dynamically efficient in nature through consistent meta updates.
The data is easy to display and render. |
| Scalability | Bootstrap comes with an excellent grid system and a single universal code.
Web apps that are built with Bootstrap can be scaled easily with apps, screens, and browsers. |
React helps in creating scalable UIs with the help of virtual DOM and reusable components. |
Bootstrap vs React for building front-end apps – a comparative guide
1. Architecture
Bootstrap
Bootstrap comes with two essential components – the View Layer and the Logic Layer. The two components combine to create the View-View-Controller (VVC) architecture.
The View Layer comes with 6 modules whereas the Logic layer comes with 12 components.
The framework plays the role of only the View component of the MVC design when developers build a web app.
React
React doesn’t need any definite or defined application architecture design. The framework components develop a web app’s view layer.
React allows developers to build small-scale websites without much hassle. The framework depends on external libraries such as Reflux, Flux, MobX, and Redux to build complex web apps.
2. Security
Bootstrap
The framework is susceptible to XSS vulnerabilities.
Developers can:
- Use a content security policy
- Update and audit the security reporting workflows
- Use a new JavaScript sanitizer
For protecting the framework against such security threats.
React
React is susceptible to cyber threats such as:
- XSS vulnerabilities
- SQL injections
- Server-side rendering attacks
Developers can use protection against unsecured links and script injection flaws to protect the framework against such security threats.
3. Suitability for enterprise-grade application
Bootstrap
The app size when built on Bootstrap depends on the content that has been implemented in design and presentation.
However, the average Bootstrap app can have a minimum size of 49 KB in JavaScript and 137 KB in CSS.
Developers must be careful about the unused components of the library packages as they can bulk up the app without adding to its benefits.
The framework is usually used to create mobile-first websites. Bootstrap supports JavaScript script chunks and jQuery plug-ins.
React
The framework is essentially a library that lacks multiple components. Thus, React must make smaller apps.
However, don’t let that fact fool you. The size of the React apps can be quite large. The recent versions of the framework have been reduced by up to 30% when compared to the earlier versions.
React comes with custom components that developers can combine with CSS, HTML, or even their own Reactstrap which is a Bootstrap toolkit for React.
4. Scalability
Bootstrap
The framework comes with a single universal code and an interactive grid system.
The code allows developers to cut off cross-browser glitches. The code and the grid system help reach maximum compatibility over multiple platforms and screens of different sizes.
React
React is one of the best libraries in the market for developing scalable user interfaces. The reason behind that is React’s virtual DOM and reusable components.
5. User experience
Bootstrap
The framework offers an excellent user experience thanks to the following features:
- In-built Bootstrap Admin templates
- Drop-down menus
- Buttons
- Plug-ins
Furthermore, the features are consistent throughout the web app.
React
React offers a well-built and smooth user interface with its UI elements such as:
- Forms
- Text boxes
- Buttons
Furthermore, React receives consistent meta upgrades and the library keeps moving. React displays data seamlessly thanks to the rapid rendering feature as well.
Bootstrap vs React for building front-end apps – which one should you choose?
The right answer, it depends on your needs and preferences. However, here’s one final answer to the question “Bootstrap vs. React: which is better?”
Go for Bootstrap if you want to:
- Design a responsive and mobile-first app.
- Have a working grasp of JS, HTML, and CSS and want to learn a new framework.
- Make use of pre-made stylistic elements.
- Use a simple framework that comes with easy integration opportunities and customization options.
- Develop designs that are accessible across multiple devices and platforms in a short period of time and are uniform.
Go for React if you want to:
- Have a strong server-side rendering of your app.
- Have a declarative framework with in-built debugging features.
- Have a framework that doesn’t need you to change data in the actual structure.
- Have a framework with components.
- Have more reusability options for your code.
Now that you know all about Bootstrap vs React for building front-end apps, we hope the knowledge will help you make the most informed decision.
