answer:It depends what kind of work you want to do. A reciprocating saw can become a jigsaw, but they are not quite as precise and fine. A reciprocating saw is more for trimming trees, or rougher harder work. A jigsaw is for finer work. While both the jigsaw and reciprocating have different blade options, you would not use a jigsaw for larger harder things. A reciprocating saw with the right blade, would be useful for cutting someone out of a car crash, a jigsaw would not really.