Have you ever heard someone say, “React websites just look better”? It’s almost like React is the shiny, stylish kid in the room, while Angular quietly works in the background, getting the job done but never turning heads. But is this really about React and Angular, or is there something deeper at play? Let’s dig into the story behind the beauty of web applications and why Angular sometimes gets unfairly judged.
The Beauty Myth
When people praise React websites, they’re often pointing at more than just the framework. React developers tend to experiment with modern design trends, using popular libraries like TailwindCSS, Material-UI, or even crafting custom designs. These tools bring a fresh, polished look that catches the eye.
Angular, on the other hand, often ends up in the hands of developers building enterprise-grade applications—big, functional, and robust. These apps prioritize performance and scalability over visual appeal. Many Angular developers stick with default tools like Angular Material, which are powerful but can feel a little… plain.
But here’s the truth: beauty isn’t about the framework. It’s about the creativity and effort put into the design. React might get the spotlight because of its flexibility, but Angular is just as capable of creating stunning interfaces. It just needs a little love in the design department.
The Real Problem
The difference isn’t in React or Angular—it’s in the approach. React developers often work on consumer-facing apps, where aesthetics play a huge role. Angular, on the other hand, is widely used for large-scale business applications, where the focus is on getting the job done efficiently.
And let’s be honest: many Angular developers don’t spend as much time on design. They’re focused on architecture, performance, and functionality. That’s not a bad thing, but it does mean Angular apps can sometimes lack the visual flair that makes React projects stand out.
Breaking the Cycle
Here’s the good news: Angular can look just as beautiful as React. It’s all about stepping out of the default and exploring new possibilities. TailwindCSS, Bootstrap, and PrimeNG are fantastic tools that can give Angular apps a fresh, modern look. Pair these with a little customization, and your app can be just as sleek as any React site.
Animations? Angular works beautifully with GSAP or custom animations to add life to your design. Design trends? They’re just as accessible to Angular developers as they are to React developers. It’s not about the tools you use; it’s about how you use them.
The Story of Design
Think of your application like a blank canvas. Whether you’re using React or Angular, the potential is endless. A good artist doesn’t blame the brush; they focus on the art they want to create. So why let Angular’s reputation hold you back?
Angular developers have everything they need to create stunning, user-friendly applications. All it takes is a little extra focus on aesthetics and a willingness to explore beyond the defaults.
The Takeaway
At the end of the day, beauty is subjective. React isn’t inherently more beautiful than Angular. It’s the creativity of the developer that makes the difference. So the next time you hear someone say React sites look better, remind them that Angular can be just as beautiful—it just needs someone to show its potential.
Top comments (4)
it is so true... except for me, it is the opposite. for me, Angular is so much easier to make robust performant enterprise applications that integrate with web APIs, cloud infrastructure, etc
whereas React is like Javascript from 90s - good to create a cute bouncing ball, but you won't consider it to build front end for HR system
I am usually using react in every project or let's say this library already chosen for the projects which I am working for so I have no word there to change it, and indeed I am enjoying working with react because this is something I used to work with and no more time needed to read documentations to start the development pace, but I remember 2 years ago I was helping different team they were building an employee's service platform by Angular, I learnt Angular on the fly and started coding immediately to push up with the team, what I noticed about designs is what actually you mentioned but also the development speed isn't fast like with react, aside from what you're building, react will make it done faster than Angular, but what I like in Angular it's really rarely to see unprofessional developers using Angular but it's commonly to see unprofessional developers using react to you have to sacrifice if you will work after them in the same codebase.
Delusions about the tech they're using: a common mark of React fanboys.
React ends up with a some of the worst performing and looking websites. I often end up seeing anti patterns where the entire page loads before animating in the various components. React just falls over when your site needs more than 10 or 15 pages or need anything sightly complex. Either that or it has an uneducated user base.
I would definitely not recommend PrimeNg unless you have a robust upgrade period for your time. Just using Tailwind or modern Bootstrap and making custom components makes your page as flashy as you need. However it often depends on product managers and crunch time.