React vs Vue vs Svelte for WordPress Developers

You're leaving WordPress for modern web development. Now you keep hearing about React, Vue, Svelte... What are these, and which should you learn?

This guide explains JavaScript frameworks from a WordPress developer's perspective.

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What Are JavaScript Frameworks?

In WordPress, you write (or use) PHP themes that generate HTML. JavaScript frameworks let you build interactive user interfaces using JavaScript instead.

Think of them as a different way to build the "theme" layer of your site—but with much more interactivity.

WordPress vs Framework Comparison

Concept

WordPress

JavaScript Framework

Template language

PHP

JSX (React), Vue SFC, Svelte

Reusable parts

Template parts

Components

Interactivity

jQuery/plugins

Built-in

Data handling

PHP variables

State management

Build process

None needed

Required

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The Three Main Options

React

Created by Meta (Facebook) in 2013

React is the most popular JavaScript library for building UIs. It uses a syntax called JSX (JavaScript + XML-like).

function Greeting({ name }) {
  return 
Hello, {name}!
;

}

Market share: ~40% of web devs use React

Vue

Created by Evan You in 2014

Vue was created by a former Google engineer who wanted something simpler than Angular. It uses Single File Components.

Market share: ~18% of web devs use Vue

Svelte

Created by Rich Harris in 2016

Svelte takes a different approach: it compiles your code at build time, shipping minimal JavaScript to the browser.

Hello, {name}!

Market share: ~8% use Svelte (growing fast)

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Quick Comparison

Factor

React

Vue

Svelte

Learning curve

Steep

Moderate

Easy

Bundle size

Larger

Medium

Smallest

Performance

Great

Great

Best

Job market

Huge

Large

Growing

Ecosystem

Massive

Large

Smaller

Best framework

Next.js

Nuxt

SvelteKit

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React: Deep Dive

The WordPress Developer's Perspective

React thinks in terms of components that manage their own state.

Like WordPress template parts, but:

• They can update without page reload

• They manage their own data

• They're more reusable

Key Concepts

Components

Everything is a component. A button, a nav, a whole page.

function Button({ onClick, children }) {
  return (
    

      {children}
    
  );
}

JSX

Write HTML-like syntax in JavaScript:

const element = 
Hello!
;

State

Data that can change. When it changes, the UI updates:

function Counter() {
  const [count, setCount] = useState(0);
  
  return (
     setCount(count + 1)}>

      Clicked {count} times
    
  );
}

Props

Pass data to components like function arguments:

The Learning Curve

React has the steepest learning curve:

• JSX syntax is unfamiliar at first

• State management can be complex

• Hooks (useState, useEffect) take time to master

• Ecosystem choices are overwhelming

Time to proficiency: 2-4 months

Best Meta-Framework: Next.js

Next.js adds routing, server rendering, and more on top of React. It's what most people use for building full sites.

Learn more about Next.js →

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Vue: Deep Dive

The WordPress Developer's Perspective

Vue feels more familiar to WordPress developers:

• Templates look like HTML

• Clear separation of concerns

• Progressive adoption possible

Key Concepts

Single File Components

One file contains template, script, and styles:

Reactive Data

Data changes automatically update the template:

Directives

Special attributes like v-if, v-for:

  

    {{ post.title }}
  

The Learning Curve

Vue is more approachable:

• Templates look like enhanced HTML

• Documentation is excellent

• Concepts are intuitive

• Official solutions for routing, state

Time to proficiency: 1-3 months

Best Meta-Framework: Nuxt

Nuxt provides routing, SSR, and full-stack capabilities for Vue.

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Svelte: Deep Dive

The WordPress Developer's Perspective

Svelte feels closest to writing plain HTML:

• No virtual DOM

• Less boilerplate

• Truly reactive

• Compiles away the framework

Key Concepts

Write Less Code

Svelte components are concise:

 count++}>

  Clicked {count} times

Compare this to React's equivalent with useState, setCount, etc.

True Reactivity

Variables are reactive by default:

{greeting}

Compile-Time Magic

Svelte compiles to vanilla JavaScript. The runtime is tiny because there's (almost) no runtime.

The Learning Curve

Svelte has the gentlest learning curve:

• Looks like HTML with sprinkles

• Minimal boilerplate

• Intuitive reactivity

• Clear documentation

Time to proficiency: 1-2 months

Best Meta-Framework: SvelteKit

SvelteKit provides routing, SSR, and all the features you need for full sites.

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Code Comparison

Creating a Toggle Component

React:

import { useState } from 'react';

function Toggle() {
  const [isOn, setIsOn] = useState(false);
  
  return (
     setIsOn(!isOn)}>

      {isOn ? 'ON' : 'OFF'}
    
  );
}

Vue:

Svelte:

 isOn = !isOn}>

  {isOn ? 'ON' : 'OFF'}

Notice: Svelte requires the least code.

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Ecosystem & Jobs

Job Market

Framework

Job Postings

Trend

React

Very High

Stable

Vue

High

Stable

Svelte

Growing

Increasing

For job seekers: React has the most opportunities. Vue is strong especially in certain regions (Europe, Asia). Svelte is growing but smaller.

Framework Ecosystem

Need

React

Vue

Svelte

Full-stack framework

Next.js

Nuxt

SvelteKit

State management

Redux, Zustand

Vuex, Pinia

Built-in

UI components

MUI, Chakra

Vuetify

Skeleton

Styling

Many options

Vue-specific

Built-in

React's ecosystem is largest, but can be overwhelming. Vue's is curated. Svelte's is smaller but growing.

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Which Should You Choose?

Choose React If:

• ✅ You want maximum job opportunities

• ✅ Building enterprise applications

• ✅ Need the largest ecosystem

• ✅ Already familiar with JavaScript

• ✅ Planning to use Next.js

Choose Vue If:

• ✅ Template-based approach feels natural

• ✅ You prefer official solutions over choices

• ✅ Building medium-scale applications

• ✅ Want gentler learning curve than React

• ✅ Team has mixed skill levels

Choose Svelte If:

• ✅ Performance is critical

• ✅ You value simplicity

• ✅ Building smaller to medium projects

• ✅ Want fastest learning curve

• ✅ Don't need massive ecosystem

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Meta-Framework Comparison

For WordPress migrations, you'll likely use a meta-framework:

Framework

Based On

Best For

Next.js

React

Blogs, marketing, apps

Nuxt

Vue

Similar, Vue ecosystem

SvelteKit

Svelte

Performance-critical sites

Astro

Any

Content sites (uses islands)

Astro is unique: It lets you use components from any framework while shipping minimal JavaScript.

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Starting Your Learning Journey

Recommended Path

Week 1-2: Learn JavaScript fundamentals

• Variables, functions, arrays, objects

• Async/await, fetch API

• ES6+ features

Week 3-4: Pick a framework and learn basics

• Components

• State/data

• Events

• Styling

Week 5-6: Learn the meta-framework

• Routing

• Data fetching

• Deployment

Week 7-8: Build your first project

• Migrate a simple WordPress site

• Deploy to Vercel/Netlify

Resources

JavaScript Fundamentals:

• javascript.info

• freeCodeCamp

React:

• react.dev (official)

• Next.js Learn

Vue:

• vuejs.org (official)

• Vue Mastery

Svelte:

• svelte.dev/tutorial

• SvelteKit docs

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FAQ

Q: Can I learn without knowing JavaScript?

You need basic JavaScript first. Spend 2-4 weeks on fundamentals before frameworks.

Q: Do I really need a framework?

For simple static sites, no. Tools like Astro or plain HTML/CSS work. For interactive sites, yes.

Q: Which is best for migrating WordPress?

Next.js (React) is most common. It has great WordPress migration resources and largest community. See our complete migration guide →

Q: Can I use multiple frameworks?

Astro lets you use components from different frameworks in one project. Generally though, pick one.

Q: What about TypeScript?

TypeScript is highly recommended for larger projects. See our TypeScript guide →

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Conclusion

For WordPress developers:

Your Goal

Choose

Maximum jobs

React/Next.js

Easiest learning

Svelte/SvelteKit

Balanced approach

Vue/Nuxt

Content sites

Astro (any framework)

All three are excellent. You can't go wrong—just pick one and start building.

Related guides:

• WordPress to Next.js Complete Migration Guide

• Astro vs Next.js Comparison

• Tailwind CSS for WordPress Developers

Start migrating with Next.js →