@react-navigation/native vs @react-navigation/bottom-tabs vs @react-navigation/stack vs @reach/router
React Navigation Libraries Comparison
1 Year
@react-navigation/native@react-navigation/bottom-tabs@react-navigation/stack@reach/routerSimilar Packages:
What's React Navigation Libraries?

React Navigation libraries provide a robust solution for handling navigation in React applications, particularly for mobile and web platforms. They enable developers to create seamless transitions between different screens or views, manage navigation state, and maintain a consistent user experience across various devices. These libraries are essential for building applications that require complex navigation patterns, such as tabbed interfaces, stack navigation, and deep linking. Each package serves a specific purpose within the navigation ecosystem, catering to different needs and use cases.

Package Weekly Downloads Trend
Github Stars Ranking
Stat Detail
Package
Downloads
Stars
Size
Issues
Publish
License
@react-navigation/native1,334,88523,848421 kB8073 days agoMIT
@react-navigation/bottom-tabs995,23423,848348 kB8073 days agoMIT
@react-navigation/stack625,64023,848805 kB8073 days agoMIT
@reach/router485,3586,890-1735 years agoMIT
Feature Comparison: @react-navigation/native vs @react-navigation/bottom-tabs vs @react-navigation/stack vs @reach/router

Navigation Structure

  • @react-navigation/native:

    @react-navigation/native serves as the core library for React Navigation, providing essential navigation context and utilities. It allows developers to manage navigation state and handle deep linking, making it a critical component for building complex navigation flows in mobile applications.

  • @react-navigation/bottom-tabs:

    @react-navigation/bottom-tabs provides a straightforward way to implement bottom tab navigation, allowing users to switch between different screens with ease. It supports customizable tab bar options and integrates seamlessly with other React Navigation components, enhancing the overall navigation experience.

  • @react-navigation/stack:

    @react-navigation/stack enables stack-based navigation, allowing users to navigate through a series of screens in a push/pop manner. It supports gestures and animations, providing a smooth transition experience between screens, which is essential for mobile applications.

  • @reach/router:

    @reach/router offers a simple and declarative API for defining routes, making it easy to set up navigation for web applications. It emphasizes accessibility and provides features like nested routes and route matching, ensuring a clean and maintainable navigation structure.

Accessibility

  • @react-navigation/native:

    @react-navigation/native supports accessibility features across its components, ensuring that navigation elements are accessible to all users. It integrates well with React Native's accessibility APIs, providing a consistent experience across platforms.

  • @react-navigation/bottom-tabs:

    @react-navigation/bottom-tabs includes accessibility features that allow screen readers to announce the active tab and provide clear navigation cues. This enhances usability for all users, particularly those relying on assistive technologies.

  • @react-navigation/stack:

    @react-navigation/stack also incorporates accessibility best practices, allowing developers to create navigable stacks that are friendly to users with disabilities. This ensures that all screens within the stack can be accessed easily.

  • @reach/router:

    @reach/router is designed with accessibility in mind, ensuring that routes and navigation elements are easily navigable by users with disabilities. It follows best practices for ARIA roles and keyboard navigation, making it a solid choice for developers who prioritize inclusive design.

Customization

  • @react-navigation/native:

    @react-navigation/native provides a foundational layer that can be customized with various navigators and screens. It allows developers to define custom navigators and integrate third-party libraries for enhanced functionality.

  • @react-navigation/bottom-tabs:

    @react-navigation/bottom-tabs offers extensive customization options for the tab bar, including styles, icons, and animations. Developers can tailor the appearance and behavior of the tab navigator to fit their application's design language.

  • @react-navigation/stack:

    @react-navigation/stack supports customization of screen transitions and gestures, allowing developers to create unique navigation experiences. This flexibility is crucial for applications that require specific animations or transitions.

  • @reach/router:

    @reach/router allows for a high degree of customization in routing configurations, enabling developers to define their own route matching logic and customize rendering based on application needs. This flexibility is beneficial for applications with unique routing requirements.

Learning Curve

  • @react-navigation/native:

    @react-navigation/native may require some initial setup and understanding of navigation concepts, but its comprehensive documentation and community support make it easier to learn. It serves as a foundation for other navigation packages, so understanding it is beneficial for using the entire navigation ecosystem.

  • @react-navigation/bottom-tabs:

    @react-navigation/bottom-tabs is easy to grasp for developers familiar with React Navigation. Its integration with the overall navigation system simplifies the learning process for implementing tab navigation in mobile applications.

  • @react-navigation/stack:

    @react-navigation/stack has a moderate learning curve, particularly for developers new to stack navigation concepts. However, its alignment with React Navigation's overall structure helps streamline the learning process.

  • @reach/router:

    @reach/router has a relatively gentle learning curve, making it accessible for developers who are new to routing in React. Its straightforward API and focus on simplicity allow for quick implementation of routing features.

Community and Support

  • @react-navigation/native:

    @react-navigation/native has a robust community and is widely used in the React Native ecosystem. Its extensive documentation, tutorials, and community contributions provide valuable resources for developers.

  • @react-navigation/bottom-tabs:

    @react-navigation/bottom-tabs benefits from a large community and extensive documentation, making it easy to find resources and support. Its popularity in mobile app development ensures a wealth of shared knowledge and best practices.

  • @react-navigation/stack:

    @react-navigation/stack is part of the larger React Navigation library, which has a strong community and support network. Developers can access numerous resources, including examples and guides, to help them implement stack navigation effectively.

  • @reach/router:

    @reach/router has a smaller community compared to React Navigation but is well-documented and supported. Its focus on accessibility has garnered attention from developers interested in inclusive design practices.

How to Choose: @react-navigation/native vs @react-navigation/bottom-tabs vs @react-navigation/stack vs @reach/router
  • @react-navigation/native:

    Select @react-navigation/native as the core package for React Navigation, as it provides essential functionalities and context for navigation. It is the foundation upon which other navigation packages are built, making it a necessary inclusion for any React Navigation setup, especially for mobile applications.

  • @react-navigation/bottom-tabs:

    Opt for @react-navigation/bottom-tabs when building mobile applications that require a tab-based navigation structure. This package is designed specifically for managing bottom tab navigators, providing an intuitive and user-friendly way to switch between different screens in mobile apps.

  • @react-navigation/stack:

    Use @react-navigation/stack when you need to implement stack-based navigation, which allows users to navigate through a series of screens in a push/pop manner. This is ideal for applications that require a hierarchical navigation structure, such as navigating from a list to a detail view.

  • @reach/router:

    Choose @reach/router if you need a lightweight and straightforward routing solution for web applications. It is particularly suited for projects that require simple routing without the overhead of additional features. Its focus on accessibility and declarative routing makes it a great choice for developers who prioritize these aspects.

README for @react-navigation/native

@react-navigation/native

React Native integration for React Navigation.

Installation instructions and documentation can be found on the React Navigation website.