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Compare Declarative Frameworks

Choose up-to 3 frameworks and learn how they compare to each other.
Framework Logo
Framework Logo
Framework Logo
Framework Logo
Framework Logo
Creating a new Component
Components are the reusable building blocks of your application. They are the most basic UI elements and can be used to build more complex components.
SwiftUI
swift
struct MyComponent: View {
    var displayString: String
    var body: some View {
        Text(displayString)
    }
}
React
jsx
function MyComponent(props) {
  return <div>{props.displayString}</div>;
}
Conditional Rendering
Conditional rendering is a technique used to display different UI components or content based on certain conditions, such as the value of a variable or the outcome of a boolean expression.
SwiftUI
swift
struct ConditionalComponent: View {
    let condition: Bool

    var body: some View {
        Group {
            if condition {
                Text("Condition is true")
            } else {
                Text("Condition is false")
            }
        }
    }
}

// Usage
ConditionalComponent(condition: true)
React
jsx
function ConditionalComponent({ condition }) {
  return (
    <>
      {condition ? (
        <p>Condition is true</p>
      ) : (
        <p>Condition is false</p>
      )}
    </>
  );
}

// Usage
<ConditionalComponent condition={true} />;
Prop/Parameter Drilling
Prop/Parameter drilling is a technique where data is passed through multiple layers of components in the component hierarchy, often from a parent component to a deeply nested child component, via props or parameters.
SwiftUI
swift
struct Parent: View {
    let data: String

    var body: some View {
        IntermediateComponent(data: data)
    }
}

struct IntermediateComponent: View {
    let data: String

    var body: some View {
        ChildComponent(data: data)
    }
}

struct ChildComponent: View {
    let data: String

    var body: some View {
        Text("Received data: \(data)")
    }
}

// Usage
Parent(data: "Some data")
React
jsx
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" />;
Responding to events
Responding to events involves handling user interactions, such as button clicks or text input changes, and updating the component's state or triggering side effects accordingly.
SwiftUI
swift
struct ClickableComponent: View {
    @State private var clicked = false

    var body: some View {
        Button(action: {
            clicked = true
        }) {
            Text(clicked ? "Button clicked" : "Click me")
        }
    }
}
React
jsx
import { useState } from "react";

function ClickableComponent() {
  const [clicked, setClicked] = useState(false);

  return (
    <button onClick={() => setClicked(true)}>
      {clicked ? "Button clicked" : "Click me"}
    </button>
  );
}
Handing user input
Handling user input involves capturing and processing user interactions with input fields, such as text fields, sliders, or checkboxes, and updating the component's state or triggering side effects based on the input.
SwiftUI
swift
struct TextInputComponent: View {
    @State private var text = ""

    var body: some View {
        TextField("Enter text", text: $text)
    }
}
React
jsx
function TextInputComponent() {
  const [text, setText] = useState("");

  return (
    <input
      type="text"
      value={text}
      onChange={(e) => setText(e.target.value)}
      placeholder="Enter text"
    />
  );
}
Previewing a Component
Creating a preview of a component involves displaying a visual representation of the component in the development environment to help with the design and layout process.
SwiftUI
swift
struct ExampleComponent: View {
    var body: some View {
        Text("Hello, World!")
    }
}

struct ExampleComponent_Previews: PreviewProvider {
    static var previews: some View {
        ExampleComponent()
    }
}
React

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.

Lists & Looping
Lists and looping involve rendering a dynamic number of components based on the length of a list or array, iterating over the list, and generating a UI component for each item.
SwiftUI
swift
struct ListComponent: View {
    let items: [String]

    var body: some View {
        List(items, id: \.self) { item in
            Text(item)
        }
    }
}

// Usage
let items = ["Item 1", "Item 2", "Item 3"]
ListComponent(items: items)
React
jsx
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} />;
List item keys
List Item Keys are unique identifiers assigned to each list item in declarative UI frameworks to help manage and update list elements efficiently. Using List Item Keys enables the framework to optimize the rendering process, minimizing unnecessary updates and improving overall performance.
SwiftUI
swift
struct Person: Identifiable {
    let name: String
    let age: Int
    let id: String
}

struct ItemKeysExample: View {
    let items: [Person]

    var body: some View {
        List(items) { person in
            Text("Name: \(person.name), Age: \(person.age)")
        }
    }
}

// Usage
ItemKeysExample(items: [Person(name: "John", age: 30, id: "1"), Person(name: "Jane", age: 28, id: "2"), Person(name: "Bob", age: 25, id: "3")])
React
jsx
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" },
  ]}
/>;
Slot APIs
Slot APIs refer to a technique where components have customizable parts or 'slots' that can be filled with content when the component is being used. This allows for greater reusability and flexibility in composing user interfaces. The content that fills these slots can be other components or simple UI elements like text or images.
SwiftUI
swift
struct Parent<Header: View, Content: View>: View {
    let header: Header
    let content: Content

    var body: some View {
        VStack {
            header
            content
        }
    }
}

// Usage
Parent(
    header: Text("Header"),
    content: Child()
)

struct Child: View {
    var body: some View {
        Text("Child Content")
    }
}
React
jsx
function Parent({ header, content }) {
  return (
    <div>
      {header}
      {content}
    </div>
  );
}

// Usage
<Parent header={<h1>Header</h1>} content={<Child />} />;

function Child() {
  return <p>Child Content</p>;
}
Modifiers
Modifiers are used to adjust or configure the UI elements' appearance or behavior in a declarative UI framework.
SwiftUI
swift
struct ModifiersExample: View {
    var body: some View {
        Text("Hello, World!")
            .padding(EdgeInsets(top: 16, leading: 16, bottom: 16, trailing: 16))
            .background(Color.blue)
    }
}
React

React doesn't have a direct analog to modifiers in Jetpack Compose or SwiftUI. Instead, you can use inline styles or CSS classes.

jsx
function ModifiersExample() {
  const style = {
    padding: "16px",
    backgroundColor: "blue",
    color: "white",
  };

  return <div style={style}>Hello, World!</div>;
}
State
State management refers to the process of handling and updating the internal state of components, often in response to user interactions or other events.
SwiftUI
swift
struct Counter: View {
    @State private var count = 0

    var body: some View {
        Button(action: {
            count += 1
        }) {
            Text("Count: \(count)")
        }
    }
}
React
jsx
import { useState } from "react";

function Counter() {
  const [count, setCount] = useState(0);

  return (
    <button onClick={() => setCount(count + 1)}>
        Count: {count}
    </button>
  );
}
Scoped Data Propagation
Scoped Data Propagation is a technique that involves passing data across multiple levels of a component subtree without having to explicitly pass it through every intermediate component. It helps reduce the complexity of prop drilling and allows for a more efficient way of sharing data in a specific scope.
SwiftUI
swift
struct CustomEnvironmentKey: EnvironmentKey {
    static let defaultValue: String = ""
}

extension EnvironmentValues {
    var customData: String {
        get { self[CustomEnvironmentKey.self] }
        set { self[CustomEnvironmentKey.self] = newValue }
    }
}

struct Parent: View {
    let data: String

    var body: some View {
        Intermediate().environment(\.customData, data)
    }
}

struct Intermediate: View {
    var body: some View {
        Child()
    }
}

struct Child: View {
    @Environment(\.customData) private var data

    var body: some View {
        Text("Received data: \(data)")
    }
}

// Usage
Parent(data: "Some data")
React
jsx
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" />;
Side Effects
A side effect involves executing code that can have external consequences or perform operations that are not directly related to rendering the UI, such as making network requests or updating external data sources.
SwiftUI
swift
struct SideEffectOnLoadComponent: View {
    @State private var hasPerformedSideEffect = false

    var body: some View {
        if !hasPerformedSideEffect {
            DispatchQueue.main.async {
                // Perform side effect, e.g. fetch data, update external data source
                hasPerformedSideEffect = true
            }
        }

        // Other UI components
        Text("Hello, World!")
    }
}
React
jsx
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 SwiftUI vs React

Which is better for beginners, SwiftUI or React?

Let's analyze the learning curve and requirements for each framework in 2025:

SwiftUI (4/5)

SwiftUI offers an intuitive approach for iOS development with excellent documentation and powerful preview features. While it requires understanding Swift and iOS concepts, its declarative syntax and strong type system help catch errors early and make the development process more predictable.

Learning Path:
  1. Master Swift basics (especially protocols and property wrappers)
  2. Understand iOS app architecture
  3. Learn SwiftUI view hierarchy and data flow
  4. Practice with property wrappers and state management
  5. Explore SwiftUI's animation system
Key Prerequisites:
  • Swift
  • iOS development concepts
  • Xcode

Time to Productivity: 2-3 months for iOS developers, 4-5 months for beginners

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:
  1. Learn modern JavaScript/TypeScript
  2. Understand React components and JSX
  3. Master hooks and state management
  4. Learn component lifecycle and effects
  5. 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

Recommendation

Based on the analysis, SwiftUI offers the most approachable learning curve. However, your choice should depend on:

  • Your existing programming background (Swift, JavaScript/TypeScript)
  • Target platform requirements (iOS, Cross-platform)
  • Available learning time (2-3 months for iOS developers, 4-5 months for beginners for SwiftUI)
  • Long-term career goals in mobile/web development

How does the performance of SwiftUI compare to React in real-world applications?

Let's analyze the real-world performance characteristics of SwiftUI and React based on benchmarks and practical experience:

SwiftUI Performance Profile

Strengths
  • Efficient diffing algorithm

    Uses a sophisticated diffing algorithm to minimize view updates and maintain smooth performance.

  • Native platform optimization

    Direct integration with Apple's rendering engine provides excellent performance on iOS devices.

  • Automatic memory management

    Swift's ARC (Automatic Reference Counting) ensures efficient memory usage.

Areas for Optimization
  • ! List performance issues

    Complex lists with dynamic content can experience performance degradation.

  • ! State propagation overhead

    Deep view hierarchies with frequent state updates can impact 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

SwiftUI, 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

SwiftUI
  • Use @StateObject for expensive objects that need to persist
  • Implement lazy loading with LazyVStack and LazyHStack
  • Leverage SwiftUI's built-in performance tools
  • Profile with Instruments to identify bottlenecks
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 SwiftUI and React?

Here are the key differences between SwiftUI and React:

Feature SwiftUIReact
Paradigm Declarative UI framework with a protocol-oriented approachDeclarative UI library with a component-based approach
Target Platform Apple platforms (iOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS)Web (with React Native for mobile)
Language SwiftJavaScript/TypeScript
Component Model View protocol conforming structsFunction components with hooks or class components
State Management Property wrappers (@State, @Binding, @ObservedObject)useState, useReducer, and third-party solutions like Redux
Ecosystem Tightly integrated with Apple's development ecosystemVast ecosystem with many libraries and tools

The choice between these frameworks often depends on your target platform, existing expertise, and specific project requirements. SwiftUI and React each have their strengths in different contexts.

What are the job market trends for SwiftUI vs React in 2025?

If you're considering a career move in 2025, here's how these frameworks compare in terms of job prospects:

SwiftUI

  • Current Demand: Increasing as iOS apps adopt the newer framework
  • Growth Trajectory: Steady growth as Apple continues to enhance capabilities
  • Notable Companies: Apple, Uber, Lyft, 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 SwiftUI and React be used together in the same project?

Understanding how SwiftUI and React can work together:

SwiftUI + React

React (via React Native) can use SwiftUI through native modules, though this is complex and not typically recommended.

Web + Mobile Strategy: A common approach is to use React for your web application, while using SwiftUI for mobile apps. You can share business logic and API calls between them, but the UI layer would be implemented separately for each platform.