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SolidJS vs React

SolidJS logo

SolidJS

Web Development

Reactive JavaScript framework with no virtual DOM

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
React logo

React

Web Development

A JavaScript library for building user interfaces

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: SolidJS much smaller ecosystem than React, so many problems have no off-the-shelf library; React jSX requires a build step using Webpack, Babel, or other transpilers to convert to browser-executable JavaScript
  • They diverge on capability: SolidJS covers No virtual DOM, React covers Component-based architecture.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which SolidJS and React actually diverge.

Attributes where SolidJS and React differ
AttributeSolidJSReact
Pricing modelOpen source, no licence feefree
PlatformsWebWeb, Mobile
FoundedUnknown2013

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

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 SolidJS

  • No virtual DOM
  • Components run once
  • Small bundles

Only in React

  • Component-based architecture
  • Virtual DOM
  • Unidirectional data flow
  • React Hooks
  • Server-side rendering
  • Hot reloading
  • Developer tools
  • Next.js

Both cover

  • JSX syntax

What people use each for

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

SolidJS

  • Interfaces where update performance is the binding constraintnot React
  • Teams comfortable with React syntax who want finer-grained reactivitynot React
  • Applications where bundle size directly affects the businessnot React

React

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

Where each one falls short

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

SolidJS

  • Much smaller ecosystem than React, so many problems have no off-the-shelf library
  • The React-like syntax is misleading: components run once, and React habits produce subtle bugs
  • Smaller hiring pool and fewer learning resources than the mainstream frameworks

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

SolidJS

Free
  • SolidJSFree
    • Full library
    • Commercial use permitted
    • No usage limits

React

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

Which should you pick?

Choose SolidJS if

  • You need no virtual dom.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want components run once.
SolidJS 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 SolidJS or React better?
Neither clearly leads. SolidJS 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, SolidJS or React?
SolidJS starts at Free and React at Free.
Does SolidJS or React run on more platforms?
SolidJS runs on Web. React runs on Web, Mobile.
Can I use SolidJS for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is SolidJS best used for?
SolidJS is most often used for interfaces where update performance is the binding constraint, teams comfortable with react syntax who want finer-grained reactivity, applications where bundle size directly affects the business. Of those, interfaces where update performance is the binding constraint and teams comfortable with react syntax who want finer-grained reactivity are not what React is typically brought in for.
What can SolidJS do that React cannot?
SolidJS covers No virtual DOM, Components run once, Small bundles. React covers Component-based architecture, Virtual DOM, Unidirectional data flow, React Hooks. Both handle JSX syntax.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

SolidJS: Is SolidJS free?

Yes, open source under the MIT licence.

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
SolidJS: Is SolidJS just React without the virtual DOM?

The syntax is similar but the model is not. Solid components run once and reactivity is fine-grained, so patterns that are correct in React can be wrong in Solid.

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
SolidJS: Why is SolidJS fast?

It compiles away much of the framework and updates individual DOM nodes directly, rather than re-rendering components and diffing a virtual DOM.

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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