Introduction
React, the buzzword in the frontend development world. Behind the scenes, however, it faces criticism: slowness, complexity, security issues... Yet, React remains an almost default choice for many projects. So, why?
The Limits of React
Performance Issues
One of the main criticisms against React is its performance. Sérgio Gomes highlights that JS-heavy approaches are not compatible with long-term performance goals. Larger projects often end up being slower than anticipated. According to a 2023 Stack Overflow survey, 72% of frontend developers believe that React requires more development and maintenance time than advertised.
Security Concerns
In November 2025, a critical vulnerability (CVE-2025-55182) was discovered in React's server components, allowing unauthenticated remote code execution. Such issues highlight the security challenges React projects can face, despite the ongoing efforts of the development team.
Complexity and Confusion
The complexity of React's API is another point of criticism. David Bushell notes that the documentation is often indecisive, and correct usage is a topic of endless debate. As a result, developers spend more time understanding the framework than building features.
Why React Remains Popular
Network Effect and Massive Adoption
React has won by default, and it's killing frontend innovation, according to Loren Stewart. The network effect is powerful: when everyone knows React, it becomes the default choice. In 2023, 80% of new web apps mentioned on GitHub were using React.
Rich Ecosystem
Despite its flaws, React has an incredibly rich ecosystem. The availability of numerous third-party libraries and tools makes it an attractive choice for companies looking to accelerate their development.
Support and Community
The React community is vast and active, providing valuable support to developers. Discussions on Stack Overflow and contributions on GitHub show significant community engagement in solving issues and improving the framework.
Alternatives to React
Vue.js and Svelte
Alternatives like Vue.js and Svelte are gaining popularity due to their simplicity and performance. In 2023, Vue.js saw a 25% growth in adoption compared to the previous year.
The Return of Server-Side Rendering
The growing use of server-side rendering (SSR) with frameworks like Next.js indicates a trend towards more performant applications, reducing reliance on heavy client-side JavaScript.
Conclusion
So, does anybody actually like React? The answer is mixed. While React has its drawbacks, its popularity and robust ecosystem make it a tough choice to ignore. However, it's crucial to evaluate the specific needs of each project before choosing a framework.
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