---
type: note
tags: [dev, reminder, cheat sheets]
created: 2025-11-06T02:51:46.19+00:00
updated: 2026-01-02T01:39:32.364Z
---# react vs node.js

⚡ React Native vs Node.js — Ultra-Crisp Cheat Sheet\nAspect	React Native	Node.js\nPurpose	Build native mobile apps (iOS/Android)	Run JavaScript on servers\nRole	Frontend (UI layer)	Backend (logic, APIs, DB access)\nEnvironment	Mobile device	Server or local machine\nOutput	Native mobile app	Server-side app, CLI, API\nUI Support	Yes (Views, Buttons, Animations)	No (headless)\nLanguage	JavaScript / TypeScript	JavaScript / TypeScript\nFramework Type	Library for mobile UI	Runtime for server-side JS\nCommon Pairing	With Node.js backend	With React Native frontend\nTooling	Metro bundler, React components	npm, Express, file system, DB drivers\nRuns On	iOS/Android via native bridge	Server, desktop, cloud\n\nStart\n └──► Are you building something users will *see* and *touch*?\n       ├──► Yes → Mobile app UI → Use **React Native**\n       └──► No\n             └──► Are you handling data, logic, or APIs?\n                   ├──► Yes → Server/backend → Use **Node.js**\n                   └──► No\n                         └──► Are you building a CLI, script, or automation?\n                               ├──► Yes → Use **Node.js**\n                               └──► No → Reassess: maybe you need a frontend framework (React, Vue) or a database\n\n\nQuick Use-Case Mapping\nTask	Use This\nBuild iOS/Android app UI	React Native\nCreate REST API or GraphQL	Node.js\nHandle user login/auth	Node.js\nDisplay buttons, views, images	React Native\nConnect to database	Node.js\nAnimate a screen transition	React Native\nRun background jobs	Node.js\nScan QR code in mobile app	React Native\nServe files or host a dashboard	Node.js


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