Head-to-Head: React Query vs Zustand Analysis

react-query

v3.39.3(over 1 year ago)

This package was last published over a year ago. It may not be actively maintained.Types definitions are bundled with the npm packageNumber of direct dependencies: 3Monthly npm downloads

React Query is a powerful and flexible data fetching library for React applications. It simplifies the management of remote data by providing hooks for fetching, caching, and updating data with built-in support for pagination, optimistic updates, and automatic refetching. React Query abstracts away the complexities of data fetching, making it easy to handle server state and manage data dependencies.

Alternatives:
swr+
apollo-client+
urql+
redux-query+
react-async+
react-fetching-library+
axios-hooks+
react-suspense-fetch+
react-request+
react-refetch+

Tags: reactdata-fetchingcachingoptimistic-updatespagination

zustand

v4.5.5(24 days ago)

This package is actively maintained.Types definitions are bundled with the npm packageNumber of direct dependencies: 1Monthly npm downloads

Zustand is a small, fast, and scalable state management library for React applications. It provides a simple and intuitive API for managing global state in a React component tree without the need for complex setups like Redux or MobX. Zustand leverages React hooks and context to offer a lightweight yet powerful solution for state management.

Alternatives:
redux+
recoil+
jotai+
mobx+
valtio+
effector+
xstate+
react-query+
overmind+
easy-peasy+

Tags: reactstate-managementhookscontextscalable

Fight!

Popularity

React Query and Zustand are both popular npm packages in the React ecosystem. React Query has gained significant popularity due to its powerful data fetching and caching capabilities, while Zustand has gained popularity for its lightweight state management solution.

Use Case

React Query is primarily focused on data fetching and caching, making it a great choice for applications that heavily rely on API calls and need efficient data management. Zustand, on the other hand, is a state management library that provides a simple and intuitive API, making it suitable for smaller applications or projects that require a lightweight state management solution.

Developer Experience

React Query provides a declarative and hook-based API, which aligns well with React's philosophy and makes it easy to integrate with React applications. It offers features like automatic caching, pagination, and optimistic updates, which can greatly simplify data management. Zustand also provides a straightforward API and integrates well with React, but it focuses more on managing local state rather than data fetching.

Performance

React Query is designed to optimize data fetching and caching, providing efficient and performant solutions for handling API calls. It offers features like intelligent caching, background data fetching, and query deduplication. Zustand, being a lightweight state management library, also performs well in terms of performance as it avoids unnecessary re-renders and provides a minimal overhead.

Scalability

React Query is well-suited for large-scale applications that require complex data management and caching. It provides features like pagination, infinite scrolling, and optimistic updates, which can handle large datasets efficiently. Zustand, being a simpler state management solution, may be more suitable for smaller to medium-sized applications where the state management requirements are not as complex.

Community and Documentation

Both React Query and Zustand have active communities and are well-documented. React Query has a larger community due to its popularity and is backed by the team behind React Table. It has extensive documentation, examples, and community support. Zustand also has a growing community and provides comprehensive documentation with examples and guides.