If you are working on a React project, you may have heard about two ways to set it up: Plain React and Vite + React. Both have their own advantages, but it can be hard to decide which one is better for your project.
This article will explain the differences between the two, and by the end, you should have a clearer idea of which option to pick.
Table of Contents
What is Plain React?
Plain React usually refers to using Create React App (CRA) to start your React project. CRA is a tool that sets up a lot of things for you, like bundling your code, converting modern JavaScript into a version that older browsers can understand, and setting up a development server to preview your app.
With CRA, you don’t have to worry about the complex details of how the project is built. It does a lot of the heavy lifting for you.
Key Points of Plain React:
- Comes with Webpack (a tool that bundles your code) and Babel (a tool that converts modern code into a compatible version).
- Easy to set up and use, especially for beginners.
- Creates a default React setup that works well for most small to medium-sized projects.
What is Vite + React?
Vite + React is a more modern way to build React projects. Vite is a tool that focuses on being fast and efficient. When you use Vite with React, it speeds up the process of building and developing the app. Unlike CRA, Vite is designed to use the latest features of the web, which helps it perform faster.
Vite also supports instant updates during development, which means your app reloads much faster when you make changes.
Key Points of Vite + React:
- Uses Vite as the build tool, which is faster and more efficient than Webpack.
- Provides instant hot reloading, meaning the app updates instantly when you change something in the code.
- More flexible and easier to customize than CRA.
Plain React vs Vite + React: What’s the Difference?
Let’s break down the main differences between Plain React and Vite + React.
1. Setup and Configuration
- Plain React (Create React App):
- Create React App (CRA) is easy to set up for beginners. You just run a command, and CRA sets up everything for you.
- You don’t have to configure anything by default, which is great for those who don’t want to spend too much time on setup.
- Vite + React:
- Vite is also easy to set up, but it’s more focused on speed and performance.
- If you need more control over your setup, Vite makes it easier to customize the project compared to CRA.
2. Speed and Performance
- Plain React (Create React App):
- CRA can sometimes be slower during development because it uses Webpack. This can lead to longer build times, especially in bigger projects.
- Although it has performance optimizations like code-splitting, the overall process can feel a bit sluggish.
- Vite + React:
- Vite is designed to be fast. It uses modern web features, which allows it to rebuild only the parts of the app that change, instead of rebuilding everything from scratch.
- This results in instant updates and faster development.
3. Development Experience
- Plain React (Create React App):
- CRA provides a simple development experience. You don’t need to worry about configurations.
- However, it can feel a bit slower, especially when making many changes in a large project.
- Vite + React:
- Vite offers a faster and more enjoyable development experience.
- It uses instant hot module replacement (HMR), meaning when you change something, only that part of the app is updated without a full reload.
4. Build Size and Optimization
- Plain React (Create React App):
- CRA can lead to bigger build sizes because of its general-purpose bundling (Webpack).
- You may need to manually optimize the build (e.g., by enabling code-splitting).
- Vite + React:
- Vite automatically optimizes the code and provides smaller and faster production builds.
- It uses modern features like tree-shaking, which removes unnecessary code from the final build.
5. Flexibility and Customization
- Plain React (Create React App):
- CRA is easy to use for beginners, but it can be limiting if you want to customize the setup.
- If you need advanced configurations, you may have to eject the app, which makes things more complicated.
- Vite + React:
- Vite gives you more control over the configuration without making things too complex.
- You can easily add plugins or modify the setup to suit your needs.
When to Use Plain React (Create React App)?
You might want to go with Plain React (using Create React App) if:
- You are just starting with React and want an easy and simple setup.
- Your project is small and doesn’t require too many performance optimizations.
- You need something quick to get started without diving too much into configurations.
When to Use Vite + React?
On the other hand, you might choose Vite + React if:
- You are building a larger project and want faster builds and instant updates.
- You want to take advantage of modern development tools and flexible configurations.
- You want better performance and smaller production builds without having to worry about complex optimizations.
In simple terms, if you are new to React or working on a small project, Plain React (Create React App) is a good option. It’s easy to use and doesn’t require much setup.
However, if you are working on a bigger project or you want a faster development experience, Vite + React is a great choice. It’s faster, more flexible, and gives you more control over your build process.
Differences between Plain React (Create React App) and Vite + React:
Feature | Plain React (Create React App) | Vite + React |
---|---|---|
Setup & Configuration | Easy setup with default configuration. No need for manual config. | Easy setup with more flexibility and custom configuration options. |
Speed & Performance | Slower development build time, especially for larger projects. | Faster build times, instant updates with hot module replacement (HMR). |
Development Experience | Simple, but slower during updates, especially for large apps. | Fast development experience with instant updates and hot module replacement. |
Build Size & Optimization | Larger build size due to Webpack and may need manual optimization. | Smaller build size, automatic optimizations with modern web features like tree-shaking. |
Flexibility & Customization | Limited customization without ejecting the app. | More flexible, allows easy customization and plugin support. |
Best for | Beginners, small projects, quick setups. | Larger projects, developers seeking faster builds and more control. |
By understanding the differences between Plain React and Vite + React, you can choose the tool that best suits your needs.