The Big Three

React vs Vue vs Svelte

An objective, data-driven comparison of the most popular frontend frameworks based on 6 key criteria

The Verdict: It Depends on Your Context

If Enterprise / large team → React

If Beginner / rapid prototyping → Vue

If Performance-critical apps → Svelte

React

2 criteria won

Top Score

Vue

1 criteria won

Top Score

Svelte

3 criteria won

Key Insight: React dominates in ecosystem and enterprise adoption (98/100), but Svelte leads in performance (96/100) and bundle size (98/100). Vue offers the best balance for teams prioritizing developer experience and learning curve.

// Data & Methodology

Sources: GitHub API, npm downloads, js-framework-benchmark, official docs
Snapshot: 2026-02-05
Metrics: GitHub stars, npm weekly downloads, bundle size, benchmark scores
Note: Scores reflect framework capabilities, not project-specific fit.

Criteria Breakdown

Score out of 100 for each criterion

Criteria	React	Vue	Svelte
Runtime Performance	82	85	96 ✓
Developer Experience	80	88	92 ✓
Ecosystem Size	98 ✓	85	68
Learning Curve	72	90 ✓	88
Bundle Size	70	78	98 ✓
Enterprise Adoption	98 ✓	82	65
Total Score	83	85	85

// Quick Facts

Feature comparison at a glance

Feature

React

Vue

Svelte

Paradigm

Library UI only, BYO tools

Framework Progressive

Compiler No runtime

GitHub Stars

242 799

52 901

85 687

npm Downloads/wk

24.5M

4.8M

680K

Reactivity Model

Hooks + VDOM useState, useEffect

Proxy-based ref(), reactive()

Compiled $state runes

Runtime Size

~42KB gzipped

~33KB gzipped

~2KB compiled away

TypeScript

✓ Excellent Built-in types

✓ Excellent Written in TS

✓ Excellent Svelte 5 improved

Meta-framework

Next.js / Remix Multiple options

Nuxt Official

SvelteKit Official

Latest Release

v19.2.4

v3.5.27

svelte@5.49.2

*Runtime sizes are approximate base framework overhead before app code.

Choose Based on Your Priorities

// Choose React If

You need the largest ecosystem, maximum hiring pool, enterprise support, or are building for a team that already knows React.

Largest component library ecosystem
Most job opportunities
Meta (Facebook) backing
React Native for mobile

// Choose Vue If

You prioritize developer experience, have a mixed-skill team, want excellent documentation, or need a gentle learning curve.

Best official documentation
Gentle learning curve
Progressive adoption
Strong Asian market presence

// Choose Svelte If

You prioritize performance, want the smallest bundle sizes, prefer simpler code, or are starting a new project without legacy constraints.

Best runtime performance
Smallest bundle size
No virtual DOM overhead
Simpler reactivity (runes)

// Migration Considerations

What to expect when switching frameworks

React → Vue

Effort: Medium

JSX → Templates, hooks → Composition API. Concepts transfer well. Consider Nuxt if coming from Next.js.

React → Svelte

Effort: Medium

JSX → Svelte syntax, hooks → runes. Simpler patterns overall. State management is built-in.

Vue → Svelte

Effort: Low

Template-based, similar concepts. Svelte's syntax is often simpler. Smallest learning curve.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is React still the best choice in 2026?

Is Svelte production-ready for large applications?

Which framework has the best performance?

Should I learn React, Vue, or Svelte as a beginner?

Can I migrate from React to Vue or Svelte?

Which framework has better TypeScript support?

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