In the world of front-end development, choosing the right framework can significantly influence a project’s success. Two tools that are often compared are Blazor and React. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at both technologies, compare their strengths, and consider which one may be the better choice for your next project.
What Is Blazor?
Blazor is a modern framework for building interactive web applications using C# and .NET instead of JavaScript. It allows you to write both client-side and server-side logic in a single language, which greatly simplifies the development process.
Example Blazor component:
@page "/"
<h1>Welcome to Blazor!</h1>
<button class="btn btn-primary" @onclick="IncrementCount">Click me</button>
<p>Counter: @currentCount</p>
@code {
private int currentCount = 0;
private void IncrementCount()
{
currentCount++;
}
}What Is React?
React is a JavaScript library for building user interfaces, created by Facebook. It is known for its performance and flexibility.
Example React component:
import React, { useState } from 'react';
function App() {
const [count, setCount] = useState(0);
return (
<div>
<h1>Welcome to React!</h1>
<button onClick={() => setCount(count + 1)}>Click me</button>
<p>Counter: {count}</p>
</div>
);
}
export default App;Comparison of Key Aspects
1. Programming Language
• Blazor: C#
• React: JavaScript/TypeScript
2. Learning Curve
• Blazor: Easier starting point for .NET developers
• React: Requires knowledge of JavaScript and the broader JS ecosystem
3. Performance
• Blazor: Very good, especially with Blazor WebAssembly
• React: High performance thanks to the Virtual DOM
4. Ecosystem
• Blazor: Growing, with strong support from Microsoft
• React: Huge, with countless libraries and tools
Usage Examples
Blazor – Dynamic Task List
@page "/todo"
<h3>Todo list</h3>
<ul>
@foreach (var task in tasks)
{
<li>@task</li>
}
</ul>
<input @bind="newTask" placeholder="New task" />
<button @onclick="AddTask">Add</button>
@code {
private List<string> tasks = new List<string>();
private string newTask;
private void AddTask()
{
if (!string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(newTask))
{
tasks.Add(newTask);
newTask = string.Empty;
}
}
}
React – Dynamic Task List
import React, { useState } from 'react';
function TodoList() {
const [tasks, setTasks] = useState([]);
const [newTask, setNewTask] = useState('');
const addTask = () => {
if (newTask.trim()) {
setTasks([...tasks, newTask]);
setNewTask('');
}
};
return (
<div>
<h3>Todo list</h3>
<ul>
{tasks.map((task, index) => (
<li key={index}>{task}</li>
))}
</ul>
<input
value={newTask}
onChange={(e) => setNewTask(e.target.value)}
placeholder="New task"
/>
<button onClick={addTask}>Add</button>
</div>
);
}
export default TodoList;Advantages and Disadvantages of Both Solutions
Advantages of Blazor:
1. Use of C# on both the front end and back end
2. Seamless integration with the .NET ecosystem
3. WebAssembly support providing high performance
4. Ability to create offline apps (with Blazor WebAssembly)
5. Component-based architecture enabling modular code
6. Strong support from Microsoft
Disadvantages of Blazor:
1. Larger payload size for Blazor WebAssembly
2. Limited debugging capabilities in WebAssembly mode
3. Smaller community and ecosystem compared to React
4. Steeper learning curve for developers without .NET experience
Advantages of React:
1. Huge community and rich ecosystem
2. High performance thanks to the Virtual DOM
3. Flexibility and easy integration with various tools
4. A large number of ready-made components and libraries
5. Support for mobile apps through React Native
Disadvantages of React:
1. Rapidly changing ecosystem, which may lead to “JavaScript fatigue”
2. Need for additional libraries for state management in larger applications
3. No official tools for some functionalities (e.g., routing)
4. Potential SEO problems in single-page applications (SPAs)
Why Choose Blazor?
1. Unified technology stack: C# on both the front end and back end
2. Performance: Especially with Blazor WebAssembly
3. Ease of integration: Smooth interaction with the .NET ecosystem
4. Less code: C# and .NET often require fewer lines to achieve the same results
5. Microsoft support: Continuous development and long-term commitment
Summary
Both Blazor and React are powerful tools for building modern web applications. The choice between them often depends on the specifics of the project, the team’s experience, and personal preferences. Blazor stands out especially in projects where the team has .NET experience or where a unified technology stack is desirable. Its growing popularity and Microsoft support make it an attractive option for many developers. React, on the other hand, has an advantage in projects requiring high flexibility and in teams already familiar with the JavaScript ecosystem.
If you want to dive deeper into Blazor and learn how to build efficient, interactive web applications, consider a specialized training program. I recommend my online course Blazor School, which offers a comprehensive curriculum that will help you master this technology from the basics to advanced techniques. It’s a great opportunity to expand your skills and become an expert in a field that is gaining increasing importance on the market. Whether you choose Blazor or React, the key is to keep learning and stay up to date with the latest trends in the front-end world. Good luck with your projects!