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Developer Tools · head to head

RAD Studio vs React

RAD Studio logo

RAD Studio

Developer Tools

Cross-platform native app development with Delphi and C++Builder

From
$2000/perpetual
Free plan
No
Full reviewWebsite
React logo

React

Web Development

A JavaScript library for building user interfaces

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only React has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: RAD Studio professional edition costs $2,000 for the perpetual license plus $599 for year one maintenance, totaling $2,599 before tax; React jSX requires a build step using Webpack, Babel, or other transpilers to convert to browser-executable JavaScript
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which RAD Studio and React actually diverge.

Attributes where RAD Studio and React differ
AttributeRAD StudioReact
Starting price$2000/perpetualFree
Pricing modelone-timefree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWebWeb, Mobile
CategoryDeveloper ToolsWeb Development
FoundedUnknown2013

Identical on both: 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 RAD Studio

Nothing recorded that React does not also cover.

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.

RAD Studio

  • Building Windows desktop applications with VCL componentsnot React
  • Creating iOS and Android apps from shared Delphi codebasenot React
  • Connecting to Oracle databases through FireDAC connectivitynot React
  • Building REST web services that run on Linux serversnot React

React

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

Where each one falls short

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

RAD Studio

  • Professional edition costs $2,000 for the perpetual license plus $599 for year one maintenance, totaling $2,599 before tax
  • Enterprise edition steps up to $3,400 license plus $1,199 maintenance, and Architect edition to $4,416 license plus $2,183 maintenance
  • The perpetual license only entitles the buyer to updates for one year; continued access to new updates and upgrades requires an annually renewable Update Subscription

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

RAD Studio

$2000/perpetual
  • Professional Edition$2000/perpetual
    • Perpetual License
    • First year maintenance $599
    • Total $2,599 + Tax
  • Enterprise Edition$3400/perpetual
    • Perpetual License
    • First year maintenance $1,199
    • Total $4,599 + Tax
  • Architect Edition$4416/perpetual
    • Perpetual License
    • First year maintenance $2,183
    • Total $6,599 + Tax

React

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

Which should you pick?

Choose RAD Studio if

Nothing in the data separates RAD Studio from React on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

RAD Studio review

Choose React if

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

Questions people ask

Is RAD Studio or React better?
Neither clearly leads. RAD Studio starts at $2000/perpetual and React at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, RAD Studio or React?
React has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $2000/perpetual for RAD Studio and Free for React.
Does RAD Studio or React run on more platforms?
RAD Studio runs on Web. React runs on Web, Mobile.
Can I use React for free?
Yes. React has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. RAD Studio starts at $2000/perpetual.
What is RAD Studio best used for?
RAD Studio is most often used for building windows desktop applications with vcl components, creating ios and android apps from shared delphi codebase, connecting to oracle databases through firedac connectivity, building rest web services that run on linux servers. Of those, building windows desktop applications with vcl components and creating ios and android apps from shared delphi codebase are not what React is typically brought in for.
What can RAD Studio do that React cannot?
React covers Component-based architecture, Virtual DOM, JSX syntax, Unidirectional data flow.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

RAD Studio: How much does RAD Studio cost?

RAD Studio uses perpetual licensing: Professional Edition $2,000 perpetual license + $599 first year maintenance ($2,599 total + tax). Enterprise Edition $3,400 license + $1,199 maintenance ($4,599 total + tax). Architect Edition $4,416 license + $2,183 maintenance ($6,599 total + tax).

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
RAD Studio: What is the difference between RAD Studio editions?

Professional Edition ($2,599 total + tax) targets individual developers. Enterprise Edition ($4,599 total + tax) adds multi-tier app capabilities. Architect Edition ($6,599 total + tax) includes advanced database and cloud features. All three include perpetual licenses.

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
RAD Studio: Does RAD Studio offer Kai AI integration and discounts?

Yes, adding Kai AI to any edition provides discounts: 25% off Professional ($2,136 + tax), 30% off Enterprise ($3,394 + tax), and 40% off Architect ($4,109 + tax). This promotion is active through August 31, 2026.

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
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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