MobX is a simple, scalable state management library for JavaScript applications. It enables you to create reactive data models that automatically update when the underlying data changes. MobX follows a more direct and transparent approach compared to other state management solutions like Redux, reducing boilerplate code and making it easier to work with complex data structures.
Valtio is a minimal and standalone state management library for React applications. It provides a simple API for creating and managing reactive global state without the need for complex setup or additional dependencies. Valtio leverages ES6 Proxies to automatically track state changes and trigger re-renders in React components, ensuring efficient and performant state management.
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.
