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Remote Work · head to head

Mural vs React

Mural logo

Mural

Remote Work

The digital workspace for visual collaboration

From
Free
Rated
-
React logo

React

Web Development

A JavaScript library for building user interfaces

From
Free
Rated
-

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Mural the free plan allows 3 editable murals at a time, so working on a fourth means archiving one; React jSX requires a build step using Webpack, Babel, or other transpilers to convert to browser-executable JavaScript
  • They diverge on capability: Mural covers Infinite canvas, React covers Component-based architecture.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Mural and React actually diverge.

Attributes where Mural and React differ
AttributeMuralReact
Pricing modelsubscriptionfree
PlatformsWeb, Ios, AndroidWeb, Mobile
CategoryRemote WorkWeb Development
Founded20112013

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Mural

  • Infinite canvas
  • Sticky notes
  • Shapes & connectors
  • Image uploads
  • Real-time collaboration
  • Templates
  • Voting & feedback
  • Slack

Only in React

  • Component-based architecture
  • Virtual DOM
  • JSX syntax
  • Unidirectional data flow
  • React Hooks
  • Server-side rendering
  • Hot reloading
  • Developer tools

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Mural

  • Running collaborative workshops and retrospectives on a shared whiteboardnot React
  • Mapping journeys and diagrams with a distributed teamnot React

React

  • Web application developmentnot Mural
  • Single-page applicationsnot Mural
  • Interactive user interfacesnot Mural
  • Mobile app developmentnot Mural
  • Component librariesnot Mural

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Mural

  • The free plan allows 3 editable murals at a time, so working on a fourth means archiving one
  • Mural AI and the Zoom and Webex integrations require Team+ at $9.99 per member per month billed annually
  • SSO and the Okta, Azure and GitHub integrations are Business only at $17.99 per member per month
  • Multiple workspaces, SCIM, audit logs and enforced 2FA are Enterprise only with no published price

React

  • JSX requires a build step using Webpack, Babel, or other transpilers to convert to browser-executable JavaScript
  • Routing and state management are separate dependencies, not included in core library
  • Configuration complexity for advanced features like server-side rendering without a meta-framework
  • Requires choosing and configuring build tools and development environment setup

Pricing, plan by plan

Mural

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 1 mural
    • Basic shapes
    • File uploads
  • Team$16/month
    • Unlimited murals
    • Advanced templates
    • Team collaboration

React

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • Component-based architecture
    • Virtual DOM
    • JSX syntax

Which should you pick?

Choose Mural if

  • You need infinite canvas.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want sticky notes.

Choose React if

  • You need component-based architecture.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Mobile.
  • You also want virtual dom.

Questions people ask

Is Mural or React better?
Neither clearly leads. Mural starts at Free and React at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Mural or React?
Mural starts at Free and React at Free.
Does Mural or React run on more platforms?
Mural runs on Web, Ios, Android. React runs on Web, Mobile.
Can I use Mural for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Mural best used for?
Mural is most often used for running collaborative workshops and retrospectives on a shared whiteboard, mapping journeys and diagrams with a distributed team. Of those, running collaborative workshops and retrospectives on a shared whiteboard and mapping journeys and diagrams with a distributed team are not what React is typically brought in for.
What can Mural do that React cannot?
Mural covers Infinite canvas, Sticky notes, Shapes & connectors, Image uploads. React covers Component-based architecture, Virtual DOM, JSX syntax, Unidirectional data flow.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Mural: How much does Mural cost?

Mural Team+ is $9.99 per member per month billed annually, or $12 billed monthly. Business is $17.99 per member per month billed annually. Enterprise is quoted by sales.

Source
React: Is React free to use commercially?

Yes. React is distributed under the MIT open-source license, which permits free usage for both personal and commercial projects without licensing fees or restrictions.

Source
Mural: What does the free Mural plan limit?

The free plan allows unlimited murals in total but only 3 that can be edited at a time, and it is restricted to a single workspace with open rooms only.

Source
React: Does React support TypeScript?

Yes. React works seamlessly with TypeScript for type-safe component development. TypeScript provides static type checking for React components, props, and state, improving code reliability and developer experience.

Source
Mural: Which Mural plan includes single sign-on?

SSO via SAML 2.0 starts on the Business plan at $17.99 per member per month, which also adds unlimited external guests and advanced integrations.

Source
React: Do I need a build step to use React?

If you use JSX, yes. JSX requires transpilation by a build tool like Webpack and Babel before browsers can execute it. However, React can be used without JSX by calling React.createElement directly, which does not require a build step.

Source
Mural: When do I need Mural Enterprise?

Enterprise adds multiple workspaces, SCIM user and group management and data residency options. Team+ and Business are both limited to a single workspace.

Source
React: Can I build offline-capable applications with React?

Yes. React supports building Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) with service workers and IndexedDB for offline functionality. Create React App includes service worker setup, though it must be manually enabled for production use.

Source
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