@Composable
fun MyComponent(
displayString: String
) {
Text(displayString)
}
Compare Declarative Frameworks





function MyComponent(props) {
return <div>{props.displayString}</div>;
}
@Composable
fun ConditionalComponent(condition: Boolean) {
if (condition) {
Text("Condition is true")
} else {
Text("Condition is false")
}
}
// Usage
ConditionalComponent(condition = true)
function ConditionalComponent({ condition }) {
return (
<>
{condition ? (
<p>Condition is true</p>
) : (
<p>Condition is false</p>
)}
</>
);
}
// Usage
<ConditionalComponent condition={true} />;
@Composable
fun Parent(data: String) {
IntermediateComponent(data = data)
}
@Composable
fun IntermediateComponent(data: String) {
ChildComponent(data = data)
}
@Composable
fun ChildComponent(data: String) {
Text("Received data: $data")
}
// Usage
Parent(data = "Some data")
function Parent({ data }) {
return <IntermediateComponent data={data} />;
}
function IntermediateComponent({ data }) {
return <ChildComponent data={data} />;
}
function ChildComponent({ data }) {
return <p>Received data: {data}</p>;
}
// Usage
<Parent data="Some data" />;
@Composable
fun ClickableComponent() {
var clicked by remember { mutableStateOf(false) }
Button(onClick = { clicked = true }) {
Text(if (clicked) "Button clicked" else "Click me")
}
}
import { useState } from "react";
function ClickableComponent() {
const [clicked, setClicked] = useState(false);
return (
<button onClick={() => setClicked(true)}>
{clicked ? "Button clicked" : "Click me"}
</button>
);
}
@Composable
fun TextInputComponent() {
var text by remember { mutableStateOf("") }
TextField(
value = text,
onValueChange = { newText -> text = newText },
label = { Text("Enter text") }
)
}
function TextInputComponent() {
const [text, setText] = useState("");
return (
<input
type="text"
value={text}
onChange={(e) => setText(e.target.value)}
placeholder="Enter text"
/>
);
}
@Composable
fun ExampleComponent() {
Text("Hello, World!")
}
@Preview(showBackground = true)
@Composable
fun ExampleComponentPreview() {
ExampleComponent()
}
Additionally, you can also use Showkase, an open source library by Airbnb that allows you to view themes preview functions in an auto-generated component browser that can be viewed on an Android device.
React doesn't have a built-in preview feature. However, you can use a tool like Storybook to create previews for your components in a separate development environment.
@Composable
fun ListComponent(items: List<String>) {
LazyColumn {
items(items) { item ->
Text(item)
}
}
}
// Usage
val items = listOf("Item 1", "Item 2", "Item 3")
ListComponent(items = items)
function ListComponent({ items }) {
return (
<ul>
{items.map((item) => (
<li key={item}>{item}</li>
))}
</ul>
);
}
// Usage
const items = ["Item 1", "Item 2", "Item 3"];
<ListComponent items={items} />;
data class Person(val name: String, val age: Int, val id: String)
@Composable
fun ItemKeysExample(items: List<Person>) {
LazyColumn {
items(items, key = { person -> person.id }) { person ->
Text("Name: ${person.name}, Age: ${person.age}")
}
}
}
function ItemKeysExample({ items }) {
return (
<ul>
{items.map((person) => (
<li key={person.id}>
Name: {person.name}, Age: {person.age}
</li>
))}
</ul>
);
}
// Usage
<ItemKeysExample
items={[
{ name: "John", age: 30, id: "1" },
{ name: "Jane", age: 28, id: "2" },
{ name: "Bob", age: 25, id: "3" },
]}
/>;
@Composable
fun Parent(
header: @Composable () -> Unit,
content: @Composable () -> Unit
) {
Column {
header()
content()
}
}
// Usage
Parent(
header = { Text("Header") },
content = { Child() }
)
@Composable
fun Child() {
Text("Child Content")
}
function Parent({ header, content }) {
return (
<div>
{header}
{content}
</div>
);
}
// Usage
<Parent header={<h1>Header</h1>} content={<Child />} />;
function Child() {
return <p>Child Content</p>;
}
@Composable
fun ModifiersExample() {
Text(
"Hello, World!",
modifier = Modifier
.padding(16.dp)
.background(Color.Blue)
)
}
React doesn't have a direct analog to modifiers in Jetpack Compose or SwiftUI. Instead, you can use inline styles or CSS classes.
function ModifiersExample() {
const style = {
padding: "16px",
backgroundColor: "blue",
color: "white",
};
return <div style={style}>Hello, World!</div>;
}
@Composable
fun Counter() {
var count by remember { mutableStateOf(0) }
Button(onClick = { count = count + 1 }) {
Text("Count: $count")
}
}
import { useState } from "react";
function Counter() {
const [count, setCount] = useState(0);
return (
<button onClick={() => setCount(count + 1)}>
Count: {count}
</button>
);
}
val CustomLocal = compositionLocalOf<String> { "Default data" }
@Composable
fun Parent(data: String) {
CompositionLocalProvider(CustomLocal provides data) {
Intermediate()
}
}
@Composable
fun Intermediate() {
Child()
}
@Composable
fun Child() {
val data = CustomLocal.current
Text("Received data: $data")
}
// Usage
Parent(data = "Some data")
import { createContext, useContext } from "react";
const CustomContext = createContext();
function Parent({ data }) {
return (
<CustomContext.Provider value={data}>
<Intermediate />
</CustomContext.Provider>
);
}
function Intermediate() {
return <Child />;
}
function Child() {
const data = useContext(CustomContext);
return <p>Received data: {data}</p>;
}
// Usage
<Parent data="Some data" />;
@Composable
fun SideEffectOnLoadComponent() {
LaunchedEffect(Unit) {
// Perform side effect, e.g. fetch data, update external data source
}
// Other UI components
Text("Hello, World!")
}
import { useEffect } from "react";
function SideEffectOnLoadComponent() {
useEffect(() => {
// Perform side effect, e.g. fetch data, update external data source
}, []);
// Other UI components
return <div />;
}
Frequently Asked Questions About Jetpack Compose vs React
Which is better for beginners, Jetpack Compose or React?
Let's analyze the learning curve and requirements for each framework in 2025:
React (4/5)
React's component-based architecture and extensive ecosystem make it accessible for beginners. While concepts like hooks and virtual DOM require time to master, the large community and abundance of learning resources help overcome challenges. TypeScript adoption adds type safety but increases the initial learning curve.
Learning Path:
- Learn modern JavaScript/TypeScript
- Understand React components and JSX
- Master hooks and state management
- Learn component lifecycle and effects
- Practice React patterns and best practices
Key Prerequisites:
- JavaScript/TypeScript
- HTML/CSS
- npm/yarn
Time to Productivity: 2-3 months for web developers, 3-4 months for beginners
Jetpack Compose (3/5)
Jetpack Compose has a moderate learning curve that requires understanding of Kotlin and Android fundamentals. Its functional programming approach and declarative syntax can be challenging for developers coming from imperative XML layouts, but the excellent tooling and preview system make the learning process smoother.
Learning Path:
- Learn Kotlin fundamentals (especially lambdas and higher-order functions)
- Understand Android Activity/Fragment lifecycle
- Master Compose basics (composables, state, side effects)
- Learn Material Design components and theming
- Practice state management and composition patterns
Key Prerequisites:
- Kotlin
- Android basics
- Gradle build system
Time to Productivity: 2-3 months for Android developers, 4-6 months for beginners
Recommendation
Based on the analysis, React offers the most approachable learning curve. However, your choice should depend on:
- Your existing programming background (Kotlin, JavaScript/TypeScript)
- Target platform requirements (Android, Cross-platform)
- Available learning time (2-3 months for web developers, 3-4 months for beginners for React)
- Long-term career goals in mobile/web development
How does the performance of Jetpack Compose compare to React in real-world applications?
Let's analyze the real-world performance characteristics of Jetpack Compose and React based on benchmarks and practical experience:
Jetpack Compose Performance Profile
Strengths
-
✓ Efficient recomposition system
Uses smart recomposition that only updates components when their inputs change, reducing unnecessary UI updates.
-
✓ Optimized rendering pipeline
Compose leverages Android's rendering pipeline to optimize performance for animations and transitions.
-
✓ Memory efficiency
Compose's compiler plugin optimizes memory allocation by reusing existing objects and reducing unnecessary allocations during UI updates.
Areas for Optimization
-
! Initial release overhead
First-time compilation and initial app startup time can be slower compared to XML layouts. You can address this by leveraging Baseline Profile.
-
! Complex state management impact
Improper state management can trigger unnecessary recompositions, affecting performance.
React Performance Profile
Strengths
-
✓ Virtual DOM optimization
Efficient diffing algorithm minimizes actual DOM updates, improving performance.
-
✓ Code splitting
Built-in support for code splitting and lazy loading of components.
-
✓ Concurrent rendering
React 18's concurrent features allow for prioritized rendering and better user experience.
Areas for Optimization
-
! DOM operations overhead
Multiple DOM operations can still impact performance in complex applications.
-
! Bundle size concerns
Large dependency trees can lead to significant bundle sizes.
Native vs Web Performance
Jetpack Compose, being a native framework, generally provides better performance for:
- Complex animations and transitions
- Heavy computational tasks
- Memory-intensive operations
- Access to platform-specific optimizations
However, React can still deliver excellent performance for most business applications, especially when following optimization best practices.
Performance Optimization Tips
Jetpack Compose
- Use remember() and derivedStateOf() to minimize recompositions
- Implement proper key() usage in lists for efficient updates
- Leverage Compose's built-in lazy loading components
- Profile with Android Studio's Layout Inspector and Performance tools
React
- Implement React.memo() for expensive computations
- Use useMemo and useCallback hooks appropriately
- Leverage Code Splitting with React.lazy()
- Profile with React DevTools and Lighthouse
What are the key architectural differences between Jetpack Compose and React?
Here are the key differences between Jetpack Compose and React:
Feature | Jetpack Compose | React |
---|---|---|
Paradigm | Declarative UI toolkit with a functional programming approach | Declarative UI library with a component-based approach |
Target Platform | Android (with experimental desktop support) | Web (with React Native for mobile) |
Language | Kotlin | JavaScript/TypeScript |
Component Model | Composable functions | Function components with hooks or class components |
State Management | State hoisting with remember and mutableStateOf | useState, useReducer, and third-party solutions like Redux |
Ecosystem | Integrated with Android ecosystem and Kotlin coroutines | Vast ecosystem with many libraries and tools |
The choice between these frameworks often depends on your target platform, existing expertise, and specific project requirements. Jetpack Compose and React each have their strengths in different contexts.
What are the job market trends for Jetpack Compose vs React in 2025?
If you're considering a career move in 2025, here's how these frameworks compare in terms of job prospects:
Jetpack Compose
- Current Demand: Growing rapidly as more Android apps transition from XML layouts
- Growth Trajectory: Strong upward trend as Google pushes it as the future of Android UI
- Notable Companies: Google, Twitter, Square, Airbnb
React
- Current Demand: Very high demand across web, mobile (React Native), and desktop
- Growth Trajectory: Mature but still growing with continuous innovation
- Notable Companies: Meta, Netflix, Airbnb, Dropbox
Can Jetpack Compose and React be used together in the same project?
Understanding how Jetpack Compose and React can work together:
Jetpack Compose + React
React (via React Native) can use Jetpack Compose through native modules, though this is complex. Alternatively, Compose for Web is an experimental project that brings Compose concepts to web development.
Web + Mobile Strategy: A common approach is to use React for your web application, while using Jetpack Compose for mobile apps. You can share business logic and API calls between them, but the UI layer would be implemented separately for each platform.
How does Jetpack Compose compare to traditional Android XML layouts?
Jetpack Compose represents a significant shift from traditional Android XML layouts:
Traditional XML Layouts
- Declarative XML with imperative Java/Kotlin manipulation
- View hierarchy with expensive findViewById() calls
- Complex layouts like ConstraintLayout for performance
- Separate files for layouts, styles, and logic
- Many boilerplate adapters and view holders
- Slow layout inflation process
Jetpack Compose
- Fully declarative Kotlin code for UI
- No view hierarchy or findViewById()
- Layout composables handle optimization automatically
- UI, styling, and logic in one place
- Simple list creation with LazyColumn/LazyRow
- No layout inflation, faster rendering
Compose brings significant advantages in:
- Code reduction: Much less boilerplate code compared to XML
- State management: Built-in state handling with react-like patterns
- Preview: @Preview annotation for seeing UI changes without deploying
- Animation: Simplified animations with type-safe builders
- Testing: Better testability without complex UI testing setups
Migration can be gradual - Compose can be adopted incrementally within existing XML-based apps through the ComposeView component.