---
type: note
tags: [dev, reminder, cheat sheets]
created: 2025-10-27T09:17:57.483Z
---# react vs node.js

⚡ React Native vs Node.js — Ultra-Crisp Cheat Sheet
Aspect	React Native	Node.js
Purpose	Build native mobile apps (iOS/Android)	Run JavaScript on servers
Role	Frontend (UI layer)	Backend (logic, APIs, DB access)
Environment	Mobile device	Server or local machine
Output	Native mobile app	Server-side app, CLI, API
UI Support	Yes (Views, Buttons, Animations)	No (headless)
Language	JavaScript / TypeScript	JavaScript / TypeScript
Framework Type	Library for mobile UI	Runtime for server-side JS
Common Pairing	With Node.js backend	With React Native frontend
Tooling	Metro bundler, React components	npm, Express, file system, DB drivers
Runs On	iOS/Android via native bridge	Server, desktop, cloud

Start
 └──► Are you building something users will *see* and *touch*?
       ├──► Yes → Mobile app UI → Use **React Native**
       └──► No
             └──► Are you handling data, logic, or APIs?
                   ├──► Yes → Server/backend → Use **Node.js**
                   └──► No
                         └──► Are you building a CLI, script, or automation?
                               ├──► Yes → Use **Node.js**
                               └──► No → Reassess: maybe you need a frontend framework (React, Vue) or a database


Quick Use-Case Mapping
Task	Use This
Build iOS/Android app UI	React Native
Create REST API or GraphQL	Node.js
Handle user login/auth	Node.js
Display buttons, views, images	React Native
Connect to database	Node.js
Animate a screen transition	React Native
Run background jobs	Node.js
Scan QR code in mobile app	React Native
Serve files or host a dashboard	Node.js


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**Keywords:** dev, reminder, cheat sheets
