Which is Better Animation and Routing Libraries in Web Development?
framer-motion vs @angular/core vs @angular/router vs @angular/animations vs react-spring vs gsap vs animejs vs velocity-animate
1 Year
framer-motion@angular/core@angular/router@angular/animationsreact-springgsapanimejsvelocity-animateSimilar Packages:
What's Animation and Routing Libraries in Web Development?

This collection of libraries includes essential tools for creating animations and managing routing in web applications. Angular libraries provide a structured approach to building dynamic applications, while animation libraries like GSAP and Anime.js offer powerful tools for creating intricate animations. Each library serves a unique purpose, catering to different frameworks and development needs, allowing developers to enhance user experience through engaging animations and seamless navigation.

NPM Package Downloads Trend
Github Stars Ranking
Stat Detail
Package
Downloads
Stars
Size
Issues
Publish
License
framer-motion4,538,84323,8243.01 MB2266 days agoMIT
@angular/core3,292,33696,16021.1 MB1,6047 days agoMIT
@angular/router2,608,98596,1602.44 MB1,6047 days agoMIT
@angular/animations2,600,38896,1601.73 MB1,6047 days agoMIT
react-spring682,05028,1919.38 kB1094 months agoMIT
gsap505,53119,8063.97 MB2010 months agoStandard 'no charge' license: https://gsap.com/standard-license. Club GSAP members get more: https://gsap.com/licensing/. Why GreenSock doesn't employ an MIT license: https://gsap.com/why-license/
animejs191,70249,918109 kB231a year agoMIT
velocity-animate172,94417,289-416 years agoMIT
Feature Comparison: framer-motion vs @angular/core vs @angular/router vs @angular/animations vs react-spring vs gsap vs animejs vs velocity-animate

Integration with Frameworks

  • framer-motion: Tailored for React, it leverages React's component model to create animations that feel natural and responsive.
  • @angular/core: The backbone of Angular applications, providing essential services and utilities that all Angular features rely on, including animations.
  • @angular/router: Built to work with Angular, it allows for deep integration with Angular's features, such as guards and resolvers, enhancing the routing capabilities.
  • @angular/animations: Designed specifically for Angular, it integrates tightly with Angular's lifecycle and change detection, making it easy to manage animations in Angular applications.
  • react-spring: Built specifically for React, it allows for seamless integration of animations within React components, taking advantage of hooks and state management.
  • gsap: Framework-agnostic, GSAP can be used with any JavaScript framework or library, making it versatile for various projects.
  • animejs: Framework-agnostic, it can be used with any JavaScript project, providing flexibility for developers who may not be using a specific framework.
  • velocity-animate: Works with jQuery and can be integrated into any JavaScript project, providing a familiar API for jQuery users.

Animation Capabilities

  • framer-motion: Focuses on creating smooth, interactive animations with a simple API, supporting gestures and layout transitions natively in React.
  • @angular/core: While it does not provide animation features directly, it is essential for managing the lifecycle of components that utilize animations.
  • @angular/router: Does not handle animations directly but can be used in conjunction with @angular/animations to animate route transitions.
  • @angular/animations: Offers a powerful API for defining complex animations, including transitions, keyframes, and state changes, all while maintaining performance.
  • react-spring: Uses physics-based animations to create natural motion, allowing for easy transitions and animated components that respond to user interactions.
  • gsap: Known for its high-performance animations, GSAP allows for complex sequencing and timeline management, making it ideal for intricate animations.
  • animejs: Provides a rich set of features for creating complex animations, including timeline control, SVG manipulation, and easing functions.
  • velocity-animate: Combines the best of jQuery and CSS animations, allowing for easy creation of animations with a simple syntax.

Performance

  • framer-motion: Optimized for performance in React, it minimizes re-renders and leverages React's rendering model for efficient animations.
  • @angular/core: As the core library, it ensures that all Angular features, including animations, are executed efficiently within the Angular framework.
  • @angular/router: Performance is enhanced through lazy loading and efficient route management, allowing for faster navigation and reduced load times.
  • @angular/animations: Optimized for Angular applications, it ensures that animations are performed efficiently, leveraging Angular's change detection mechanisms.
  • react-spring: Utilizes a physics-based approach to animations, ensuring smooth transitions that feel natural and responsive without heavy computational overhead.
  • gsap: Renowned for its performance, GSAP is designed to handle high frame rates and complex animations without compromising speed.
  • animejs: Highly efficient for DOM manipulations and animations, it ensures smooth performance even with complex animations.
  • velocity-animate: Offers high performance similar to GSAP, focusing on speed and efficiency for animations, particularly in jQuery environments.

Learning Curve

  • framer-motion: Designed to be intuitive for React developers, it offers a simple API that allows for quick learning and implementation of animations.
  • @angular/core: Essential for Angular development, understanding its core concepts is crucial for effectively utilizing Angular features, including animations.
  • @angular/router: Requires knowledge of Angular's architecture, but once understood, it provides powerful routing capabilities with a manageable learning curve.
  • @angular/animations: Requires familiarity with Angular concepts, making it easier for those already versed in Angular but potentially challenging for newcomers.
  • react-spring: Offers a gentle learning curve for React developers, focusing on intuitive APIs that leverage React's component model.
  • gsap: While powerful, it may require some time to master its full capabilities, but its documentation and community support make it accessible.
  • animejs: Easy to pick up for developers familiar with JavaScript, offering a straightforward API that allows for quick implementation of animations.
  • velocity-animate: Familiar for jQuery users, making it easy to learn for those already accustomed to jQuery's syntax and approach.

Community and Support

  • framer-motion: Supported by a vibrant community of React developers, it offers extensive documentation and examples for various use cases.
  • @angular/core: As a fundamental part of Angular, it benefits from a large community, extensive documentation, and numerous tutorials available online.
  • @angular/router: Well-documented with a strong community, it is supported by numerous resources and examples for effective implementation.
  • @angular/animations: Backed by the Angular community, it has extensive documentation and community support, making it easier to find solutions and resources.
  • react-spring: Supported by a dedicated community, it provides good documentation and examples, making it easier for developers to implement animations.
  • gsap: One of the most popular animation libraries, it has a large community, extensive documentation, and numerous plugins available for enhanced functionality.
  • animejs: Has a growing community with good documentation and examples, making it accessible for developers looking to implement animations.
  • velocity-animate: While not as popular as some newer libraries, it still has a dedicated user base and sufficient documentation for effective use.
How to Choose: framer-motion vs @angular/core vs @angular/router vs @angular/animations vs react-spring vs gsap vs animejs vs velocity-animate
  • framer-motion: Use Framer Motion if you are working with React and need a powerful library for animations that provides a simple API and advanced features like gestures and layout transitions.
  • @angular/core: This is fundamental for any Angular application. Use it for core functionalities including dependency injection, component lifecycle management, and more.
  • @angular/router: Opt for this package if your Angular application requires sophisticated routing capabilities, including lazy loading and nested routes.
  • @angular/animations: Choose this package if you are already using Angular and need a robust solution for animations that integrates seamlessly with Angular's change detection and lifecycle hooks.
  • react-spring: Opt for React Spring if you want to create physics-based animations in React applications, focusing on fluid transitions and natural motion.
  • gsap: Choose GSAP for high-performance animations that require complex timelines and sequences, suitable for both simple and intricate animations across various frameworks.
  • animejs: Select Anime.js for lightweight, flexible animations that can be easily integrated into any web project, especially for those who prefer a simple API and CSS-like syntax.
  • velocity-animate: Select Velocity.js for a jQuery-like syntax that allows for high-performance animations, particularly if you are maintaining legacy jQuery code.
README for framer-motion

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Framer Motion

An open source motion library for React, made by Framer.

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Framer Motion is an open source, production-ready library that’s designed for all creative developers.

It looks like this:

<motion.div animate={{ x: 0 }} />

It does all this:

...and a whole lot more.

Get started

🐇 Quick start

Install framer-motion with via your package manager:

npm install framer-motion

Then import the motion component:

import { motion } from "framer-motion"

export const MyComponent = ({ isVisible }) => (
    <motion.div animate={{ opacity: isVisible ? 1 : 0 }} />
)

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💎 Contribute

👩🏻‍⚖️ License

  • Framer Motion is MIT licensed.

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