React is an extremely widely used JavaScript library that has been popular for about ten years. Its usage has intensified even more in recent years: it is simply one of the most appreciated libraries by developers.
The Origins of React
Originally developed by Facebook with one of its developers, Jordan Walke, in 2013 (yes, yes! 😬), React was created with the goal of building interactive interfaces: interfaces where everything is fluid, without page reloads, and where the slightest interaction can have an immediate consequence.
Contrary to common beliefs, React is not a framework. It is indeed a library (also referred to as a library). This is a mistake often made even by many trainers themselves...
A library is a collection of functions or classes that a developer can use. They are free to use whatever they want and are not required to follow a strict framework.
A framework is the opposite! It's a set of tools that a developer is required to use, and they must follow a rigid and strict structure.
Today, React is used in some of the world's most visited websites:
- Netflix uses React;
- Facebook also uses React;
- But also Instagram, Tesla, and many others.
Short story! React is truly extremely popular and appreciated even by the world's most powerful companies.
The Popularity of React in 2025 📊
Statistics in Favor of React
React is today the most used front-end library worldwide (and Believemy - the site on which you are reading this article - is no exception).
Whether in small projects, startups, or even in large enterprises, React is often preferred and used thanks to its very flexible and mature functionality.
A mature project is one in which new versions do not lead to a loss of everything that has already been done: no need for a company to redo its entire project each year, unlike other technologies).
At the Level of Google Trends
On the Google Trends side - a tool developed by Google that allows you to see real-time search trends - here is what we observe:
We notice that React has always been significantly superior in terms of searches compared to its main competitors, Angular or Vue.js.
At the Level of npm
If we look at the statistics on the npm side thanks to the excellent tool npmtrends, the difference is even more striking:
These statistics show us that React is on average downloaded 4 times more than its top competitor, Vue.js. It is also almost 20 times more than Angular.
At the Level of StackOverflow
Finally, let's look at StackOverflow to see what the latest report published this year says about the technology preferences of 38,132 participants:
No surprise, React is the preferred technology of professional developers for more than 41.6% of them.
A Rapidly Growing Job Market
One of the main reasons to learn React in 2025 is the growing demand for truly qualified developers. The idea is not just to know a little React, but to be really very good at using it. 😉
Job postings for React developers have generally increased by 35% according to Indeed in 2024.
Many Silicon Valley companies (especially Google, Facebook, and Microsoft) massively hired during the COVID crisis to respond to the gigantic growth they were experiencing during that period.
Once the lockdowns ended, growth slowed down, and it turned out that they had hired too much, thus causing a wave of layoffs.
This is the information that the general public keeps in mind. But since then, the market has recovered.
A Library in Constant Improvement
We might think that React would just stick to its foundations, especially knowing that React has been around since 2013 (as we've seen 😗).
That's not the case: React continues to evolve, even today.
Recently, React announced its new version, React 19, in which it adds many powerful features:
- React Server Components - these are components that execute on the server to secure the data being transmitted, in order to send the user a version that is already finished and ready to use, which they only need to retrieve;
- The new use hook - it allows for naturally optimizing code to achieve better performance;
A hook is a small name given to the main features of React.
Learn more about the new features of React 19.
A Robust Ecosystem
Complementary Tools
React's success also relies on a mature and dynamic ecosystem. Developers have a multitude of complementary libraries at their disposal, such as:
- React Router - to create multiple pages on a website using React;
- Styled-Components - to manage the designs of a project more intuitively than with plain CSS;
- Tailwind CSS - which allows you to completely forgo a style sheet;
- Redux - to have a robust solution that allows you to manage data across an entire project.
Practical Evolutions
In 2025, React is at the heart of several very powerful and highly appreciated frameworks:
- NextJS - to have server-side rendering while creating something optimized for search engines;
- React Native - to go further by developing mobile applications simultaneously for Android and iOS, using exactly the same principle as React (we'll discuss this later)
The tools and technologies offered around React are numerous! There is something for every need. This is also one of React's great strengths.
A Global Community
Whether for learning to use React or for collaborating and exchanging with developers who use React, you will generally not have any difficulty finding what you are looking for.
To Find Help on React
Many forums exist such as StackOverflow or specialized Discord servers to help you with any potential bugs or problems you might encounter.
These places are exchange spaces between developers who master React, and for whom the vast majority of topics have already been addressed: by learning React, you can thus easily find a solution.
For Training
Whether on YouTube videos (not always up to date) or on very in-depth React trainings, you will have no difficulty training yourself in React.
Easy Integration with Other Technologies
React is designed to integrate seamlessly with other tools:
- TypeScript - for developers who want to use TypeScript instead of JavaScript, it's possible! (See the differences between JavaScript and TypeScript)
- Node.js - it is also possible to use React in combination with Node.js to create projects using JavaScript on both the server and client sides;
- GraphQL, Firebase, MongoDB, etc. - all the most used tools today generally have a compatible library for React;
In a more general way, whether for sending emails (SendGrid), automating your actions (IFTTT), and much more, a JavaScript library is available to use it with React.
The Possibility to Go Further with React Native
Learning React does not only apply to websites: with React Native, it is possible, for example, to create mobile applications simultaneously for Android and iOS, using exactly the same principle as React.
In short: a React Native developer is also a React developer. Conversely, a developer who knows React and wants to create mobile applications can do so by continuing to train with React Native.
Unlike other alternatives we will see shortly, you won't need to learn another technology to develop your mobile applications.
Comparison with Other Alternatives
React is not the only JavaScript library used by professional developers: there are also other alternatives: Vue.js, Angular, and NextJS are the most well-known.
React vs Vue.js
Vue.js is generally the first library compared with React (as we've seen in Google Trends statistics or even on npm).
In general, React offers more flexibility and especially a richer ecosystem with thousands of other tools that work perfectly in combination with its library.
See a complete comparison between React and Vue.js 🔗
React vs Angular
Angular is also an excellent alternative to React. Maintained by Google, it is, however, a framework: the developer is therefore somewhat more restricted than with React. Nevertheless, it is an interesting "all-in-one" solution.
However, React remains generally much more appreciated thanks to its modularity and its virtual DOM, allowing for better performance than Angular.
See a complete comparison between React and Angular 🔗
React vs NextJS
Finally, NextJS (often called Next.js) is also often unjustly compared to React because it represents for React what TypeScript represents for JavaScript: a version based on React itself!
In other words, NextJS uses React to make it a complete framework. It is an interesting continuation, but you must first master React.
See a complete comparison between React and NextJS 🔗
The Future of React
Even in 2025, React continues to improve and evolve.
Thanks to a very active community of developers and its use in the world's largest companies, it has a very bright future ahead.
The future for React is certainly in a better integration with the backend to give those who wish it the possibility to use the advantages of server-side executing code (like with React 19).
Conclusion
Learning React in 2025 is a good strategic decision: its evolution, its use (almost) everywhere, and its strong demand make it an ideal choice for any developer wishing to find a company to work for or to create a project using a technology mastered by many developers - they will have no trouble finding developers to collaborate with.
However, mastering React can seem difficult without proper training.
Fortunately, solutions exist: for example, we offer a complete training dedicated to React 19 that you can start right now. 😋