Vue.js vs React in 2025: Which Framework to Choose

I've shipped production apps in both Vue and React. Neither is objectively better. But one might be better for your situation.

Here's what actually matters when choosing between them in 2025.

Quick Answer

Pick Vue if: You want a gentler learning curve, prefer official solutions, or work with a smaller team that needs to move fast.

Pick React if: You need maximum hiring pool, want ecosystem flexibility, or are building something that might need React Native later.

Both are excellent. You won't regret either choice.

The Real Differences

Learning Curve

Vue wins here. Not close.

Vue's single-file components make sense immediately:

<template>
  <button @click="count++">Count: {{ count }}</button>
</template>

<script setup>
import { ref } from 'vue'
const count = ref(0)
</script>

React requires understanding JSX, hooks rules, and why your component re-renders:

import { useState } from 'react'

function Counter() {
  const [count, setCount] = useState(0)
  return (
    <button onClick={() => setCount(count + 1)}>
      Count: {count}
    </button>
  )
}

Not complicated, but Vue feels more intuitive to newcomers. Templates read like HTML. Directives like v-if and v-for are self-explanatory.

Reactivity Model

This is where they fundamentally differ.

Vue uses proxies. You mutate state directly:

const state = reactive({ items: [] })
state.items.push('new item') // Just works

React uses immutability. You replace state:

const [items, setItems] = useState([])
setItems([...items, 'new item']) // Must create new array

Vue's approach feels more natural. React's approach is more predictable for complex apps. Neither is wrong.

Component Structure

Vue: Single-File Components

Template, script, and styles in one .vue file. Clear separation within a single component.

<template>
  <div class="card">{{ title }}</div>
</template>

<script setup>
defineProps(['title'])
</script>

<style scoped>
.card { padding: 1rem; }
</style>

Scoped styles by default. No CSS-in-JS needed.

React: JavaScript All The Way

Everything is JavaScript. JSX is JavaScript. Styling is... your choice.

function Card({ title }) {
  return <div className={styles.card}>{title}</div>
}

You'll need to pick a styling solution: CSS Modules, Tailwind, styled-components, or something else.

State Management

Vue: Pinia (official)

One blessed solution. Everyone uses it. Docs are great.

export const useCartStore = defineStore('cart', () => {
  const items = ref([])
  const total = computed(() => items.value.reduce((sum, i) => sum + i.price, 0))
  function addItem(item) { items.value.push(item) }
  return { items, total, addItem }
})

React: Pick Your Poison

Redux? Zustand? Jotai? MobX? Context API? React Query for server state?

Flexibility is great until you spend a week evaluating options.

// Zustand example - currently popular choice
const useCartStore = create((set) => ({
  items: [],
  addItem: (item) => set((state) => ({ items: [...state.items, item] })),
}))

Routing

Vue Router is official, well-documented, and everyone uses it.

React Router is the de facto standard but not official. Breaking changes between major versions have caused pain.

Build Tools

Vue: Vite (created by Vue's author)

Fast, sensible defaults, just works.

React: Also Vite (or Next.js, Remix, etc.)

Create React App is deprecated. You'll probably use a meta-framework anyway.

TypeScript Support

Both are excellent now. Vue 3 was rewritten in TypeScript. React has always had strong TS support.

Vue's