Ruby on Rails vs React: A Comparison

Did you know 75% of users judge a business by its website design? That’s why the technology you choose to design your web applications matters greatly. 

If you’re at a crossroads between Ruby on Rails vs. React, we are here to help. Ruby on Rails is a popular full-stack platform that is written in Ruby programming language. It’s an open-source framework that provides a default blueprint for web development.

React, on the other hand, is a front-end JavaScript library for building interactive user interfaces (UI). It enables developers to create reusable UI components and ensures high performance by allowing you to update only the necessary components whenever data is modified. 

This article will compare the Ruby on Rails and React tech stacks, helping you understand their strengths, weaknesses, and appropriate use cases.

Key Differences Between Ruby on Rails vs React

Here’s a quick comparison before we discuss how Ruby on Rails differs from React. 

	Ruby on Rails	React
Architecture	MVC	JS Libraries
Language	Ruby	JavaScript
Usage	Back end and front end	Front end
Scalability	High	High
Learning Curve	Low	High

Architecture

Ruby on Rails (RoR) has a Model-View-Controller (MVC) architecture that offers a structured development approach. The application’s aspects are divided into three categories: Model (data), View (user interface), and Controller (application logic). You can manage these independently, making maintaining and scaling the app long-term easier.  

Since ROR is a full-stack technology, the MVC model works well for the users. In contrast, React delivers the front end and primarily focuses on the “View” part of the MVC. 

React’s architecture adopts a component-based approach, which enhances code quality and promotes collaboration. This empowers developers to create dynamic and interactive user interfaces with ease. React Native is another software option that builds upon React’s components to create mobile applications.

Language

One of the primary differentiators between Ruby on Rails and React is the language they build upon. While Rails uses Ruby as its main programming language, React is a JavaScript library.

So, let’s discuss Ruby vs. JavaScript. Ruby requires less coding and is generally easier to work with, making it ideal for rapid prototyping. JavaScript, on the other hand, requires more input but is broadly compatible with web browsers. As a result, people often use it for large, complex projects they need to execute across different platforms and devices. 

Use Cases

Architecture and language determine the use case of any web development platform. When it comes to Ruby on Rails usage, the software excels in developing full-stack web applications with structured MVC data models, and people use it for projects prioritizing rapid development. It provides a comprehensive framework for building front-end and back-end components, making it versatile.

Since React only offers front-end development, it’s great for projects that require dynamic user interfaces or are single-page applications. It’s better at integrating different web browsers, which allows developers to create accessible applications that work seamlessly across various devices. 

Learning Curve

Learning curves are one of the main factors people consider when choosing a web development platform. Rails emphasizes convention over configuration. In other words, its design principle allows users to follow default conventions rather than requiring them to learn new ways unique to the development platform. Given this, Ruby on Rails is easier to learn, especially if you have prior knowledge of the Ruby language. 

In contrast, React’s component-based architecture demands a solid understanding of concepts like JSX and virtual Document Object Model (DOM), making it difficult for beginners. However, once you get a hang of the basics, React offers a straightforward approach to building good user interfaces. 

Community and Ecosystem 

Ecosystem refers to the collection of tools, libraries, frameworks, and community support available for a particular technology. Both Rails and React provide ample resources to streamline development and solve common challenges for their users. 

Ruby on Rails has a well-established ecosystem centered around gems, libraries, and plugins for an efficient working process. Additionally, as an active community of more than 4000 contributors on GitHub, the platform also extends support resources that are handy for beginners who are just learning the development process. 

Conversely, React thrives on a wide range of third-party libraries and tools like Redux, and a large community contributes to its growth and innovation. 

Scalability and Performance

Deciding between Ruby on Rails vs. React sometimes boils down to their performance and potential scalability. React’s virtual DOM allows users to use UI components efficiently. The architecture also facilitates modular development, enabling easy scalability as the projects grow. Ruby on Rails offers built-in features like caching and database optimization, which support scalability throughout development.

While both technologies can scale effectively, React’s design often requires additional optimization efforts to handle large-scale data and complex state management. This is one reason why some developers prefer Rails.

What To Consider When Choosing Between Ruby on Rails and React?

Now that we have compared Ruby on Rails and React based on their primary features, here’s a guide on what to consider when deciding between the two. 

Your Project Type

The type and requirements of your project are among the primary factors you should consider when deciding on a web development platform. Ruby on Rails is best for building full-stack applications, whereas React excels in the front end. The latter is excellent for interactive user interfaces and single-page applications. 

Your Project Timeline and Budget

Developers tend to prefer Ruby on Rails for shorter timelines because the extensive library of built-in features reduces the need for manual configuration and speeds up the process. This also naturally helps save costs. 

In comparison, React requires more time for initial setup, potentially extending the timeline and increasing costs associated with development and maintenance. Considering this, if you have a tight deadline and a limited budget, Ruby on Rails makes for a better choice. 

The Expertise of the Development Team

It’s also important to consider the skills of your development team when selecting development software. If your team is proficient in JavaScript and good with front-end development, React may be a better choice. Conversely, if the team is more familiar with back-end development, Ruby on Rails is naturally preferable. 

Remember that React is a mature framework and requires an in-depth understanding of front-end development principles and user experience, making it less beginner-friendly. Meanwhile, Rails does not demand much manual input and is an ideal choice for teams with varying experience levels.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the choice between Ruby on Rails vs. React depends on your project requirements, team expertise, and budget constraints. React is the go-to choice for projects prioritizing front-end interactivity, whereas Ruby On Rails shines in full-stack development, especially for low-cost projects with tighter deadlines.

If Ruby on Rails better suits your project needs, consider Ruby on Rails developers at Flatirons. With experts in the US and nearby, Flatiron’s team of Ruby developers can take on full-stack web projects and deliver the results you need. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

How Does Ruby on Rails Work?

Ruby on Rails is a full-stack software that follows the Model (data), View (user interfaces), and Controller (application flow) architecture. Users interact with Ruby on Rails by defining each of the three categories in MVC. They define models to represent data structure, create views using the embedded HTML templates, and set controllers to manage the application’s flow and manipulate particular data. The ecosystem facilitates developers in prototyping and maintaining applications quickly. 

Companies widely prefer Ruby On Rails for its ease of use and dynamic features. So, if you are considering it for your project, we suggest hiring our Ruby developers to leverage the software’s full potential. 

How Does React Work?

React is a front-end JavaScript development software that enables users to build interactive user interfaces through a component-based architecture. Users create reusable UI components with specific functionality and then manage each component independently. React works by creating a virtual DOM, and developers can make any modifications or updates virtually before they go on a browser DOM. 

Can Ruby on Rails and React Be Used Together in a Single Project?

Not only can you use Ruby on Rails with React, but they make an excellent combo in creating sophisticated web applications in a relatively low development time with a solid back-end and an interactive front-end UI experience. The React and Ruby combination is common and generally involves creating a Rails project and incorporating React components using the React on Rails gem. 

How Do Ruby on Rails and React Integrate With Other Technologies and Frameworks?

Ruby on Rails integrates perfectly with various databases, including PostgreSQL and MySQL. It also works with front-end software like React by using tools like a react-rail gem or by building APIs for React to consume. Similarly, React, a JavaScript library, can integrate with Redux for state management, GraphQL for efficient data fetching, and many other libraries and frameworks.