React is a mature JavaScript library with the largest ecosystem and job market (67% of JavaScript framework jobs in 2025), while Svelte is a compiler-based framework that produces smaller bundle sizes (40% smaller on average) and requires less boilerplate code. React dominates enterprise adoption, but Svelte offers superior developer experience for smaller projects.
React vs Svelte — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Choose React if you're building large-scale enterprise applications, need maximum job market leverage, or require extensive third-party library integration—its ecosystem dominance and 67% job market share make it the safer choice for career growth. Choose Svelte if you prioritize developer experience, want smaller initial bundle sizes, and are building smaller-to-medium projects where less boilerplate code translates to faster development and easier maintenance.
JavaScript library for building user interfaces with component-based architecture and virtual DOM
Compiler-based framework that shifts work from runtime to build time, producing optimized vanilla JavaScript.
Structured comparison data for React vs Svelte with 158 attributes.
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React vs Svelte — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for React vs Svelte.
Learn React if job market prospects are important—67% of JavaScript framework positions require React skills. Learn Svelte if you prioritize developer experience and working on smaller projects. Many developers learn React first for career stability, then explore Svelte for personal projects.
Why is Svelte's bundle size so much smaller?
Svelte is a compiler, not a runtime library. It compiles components to vanilla JavaScript at build time, eliminating framework overhead. React includes the virtual DOM and runtime library (~42 KB) in every bundle. Svelte only ships the compiled component code, resulting in 67% smaller bundles for equivalent functionality.
Is Svelte production-ready for enterprise applications?
Svelte is production-ready but less common in enterprise. Only 12% of Fortune 500 companies use it versus 91% for React. This means fewer Svelte developers in the hiring market, less battle-tested tooling for massive applications, and potentially higher long-term maintenance risk. Use Svelte for mid-market startups or if you have in-house expertise.
Can I use React and Svelte together in the same project?
Yes, but it's complex and not recommended. You can run Svelte and React on different pages using a micro-frontend architecture, but sharing state between them requires custom solutions. Most projects stick to one framework to avoid maintenance overhead.
Which framework performs better for large applications?
React performs better at scale due to optimized virtual DOM diffing and battle-tested patterns from millions of large codebases. Svelte excels with smaller bundles but can struggle with highly dynamic, complex state management. For 5,000+ component applications, React's ecosystem and tooling provide better long-term performance.