MobX is a simple and scalable state management solution for JavaScript applications. It utilizes observables to automatically track and propagate changes to state, leading to more efficient updates and better performance. MobX's minimalistic and declarative approach to state management allows for easy integration into new or existing projects without requiring a complete overhaul of the application architecture.
Valtio is a state management library for React applications. It provides a simple and efficient way to manage and share state across components without the need for complex setup or boilerplate code. Valtio leverages the power of ES6 Proxies to create reactive state objects that automatically update components when the state changes.
MobX has been a popular state management solution in the React ecosystem for a long time and has a large and active community. Valtio, on the other hand, is a relatively newer library but it has gained attention due to its simplicity and lightweight nature.
Size & Performance
Valtio is a very lightweight library with a small footprint, making it ideal for small to medium-sized applications. MobX, while powerful, is a larger library and may have a greater impact on bundle size. Performance-wise, both libraries are efficient, but Valtio is designed to have simpler reactivity tracking, which can result in slightly better performance in certain scenarios.
Developer Experience
Both MobX and Valtio offer a great developer experience. MobX adopts a more traditional approach and provides a rich set of features like observables, computed values, and actions. Valtio, on the other hand, takes a simpler approach with a minimalistic API that revolves around a single source of truth. It is incredibly straightforward to use and requires minimal setup.
Integration with React
Both MobX and Valtio work well with React. MobX has strong integration with React and provides hooks and higher-order components for easy integration. Valtio is also built with React in mind and provides a React-aware API with hooks. It seamlessly integrates with React's rendering lifecycle, allowing for efficient reactivity and state management.
Learning Curve
When it comes to learning curve, MobX has a steeper learning curve compared to Valtio. MobX has more features and concepts to understand, such as decorators, actions, and reactions. Valtio, on the other hand, has a simpler API, making it easier for beginners to grasp and get started with.
Documentation & Community Support
MobX has well-documented and comprehensive guides, as well as a large and active community. It has been extensively used in production applications and has a mature ecosystem. Valtio, being a newer library, has a smaller community but still maintains good documentation and provides active support on the GitHub repository.
