React Routing Libraries Comparison
react-router-dom vs @reach/router vs wouter vs react-router-native
1 Year
react-router-dom@reach/routerwouterreact-router-nativeSimilar Packages:
What's React Routing Libraries?

Routing libraries in React are essential for managing navigation and rendering different components based on the URL. They provide a way to create single-page applications (SPAs) that can dynamically change the view without reloading the entire page. These libraries facilitate the organization of application structure, improve user experience, and enhance performance by allowing for seamless transitions between different views. Each library has its unique features and design philosophies, catering to different use cases and developer preferences.

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react-router-dom10,814,15453,5055.44 kB19214 days agoMIT
@reach/router494,5326,898-1724 years agoMIT
wouter58,0826,81364.9 kB264 months agoUnlicense
react-router-native18,49453,50539.6 kB192a month agoMIT
Feature Comparison: react-router-dom vs @reach/router vs wouter vs react-router-native

Accessibility

  • react-router-dom:

    react-router-dom offers basic accessibility features but requires additional considerations from developers to ensure compliance with accessibility standards. While it does provide some hooks for managing focus, it may need more effort to achieve full accessibility compared to @reach/router.

  • @reach/router:

    @reach/router is built with accessibility in mind, providing features that ensure navigational elements are keyboard navigable and screen reader friendly. It adheres to ARIA standards, making it a great choice for applications that need to be inclusive.

  • wouter:

    wouter offers a straightforward API that allows for easy implementation of accessible routing, but it does not have built-in accessibility features. Developers must ensure that they follow best practices to make their applications accessible.

  • react-router-native:

    react-router-native inherits accessibility considerations from react-router-dom but is specifically tailored for mobile applications. Developers must still implement accessibility best practices to ensure a seamless experience for all users.

Complexity and Learning Curve

  • react-router-dom:

    react-router-dom has a steeper learning curve due to its extensive feature set and flexibility. While powerful, it may require more time to understand advanced concepts like nested routes and hooks, making it more suitable for experienced developers.

  • @reach/router:

    @reach/router has a gentle learning curve, making it easy for beginners to grasp routing concepts. Its API is straightforward, allowing developers to quickly implement routing without extensive configuration.

  • wouter:

    wouter is designed to be minimalistic and easy to learn, making it an excellent choice for developers who want a simple routing solution without the overhead of complex features.

  • react-router-native:

    react-router-native shares a similar complexity with react-router-dom, but it is specifically designed for mobile applications. Developers familiar with react-router-dom will find it easy to transition to react-router-native.

Performance

  • react-router-dom:

    react-router-dom can introduce performance overhead due to its extensive feature set. However, it provides tools like React.memo and useMemo to help optimize rendering and improve performance in larger applications.

  • @reach/router:

    @reach/router is optimized for performance and focuses on minimizing re-renders. It uses a lightweight approach, ensuring that routing does not introduce significant overhead, making it suitable for performance-critical applications.

  • wouter:

    wouter is designed for speed and efficiency, with a very small bundle size. Its minimalistic approach ensures that routing does not slow down the application, making it ideal for projects where performance is a top priority.

  • react-router-native:

    react-router-native is optimized for mobile performance, ensuring that navigation transitions are smooth and responsive. It leverages React Native's performance optimizations to provide a seamless user experience.

Extensibility

  • react-router-dom:

    react-router-dom is highly extensible, providing numerous hooks and components that allow developers to build complex routing scenarios. Its flexibility makes it suitable for large-scale applications with diverse routing needs.

  • @reach/router:

    @reach/router is designed to be extensible, allowing developers to create custom components and integrate additional functionality as needed. Its simple API enables easy customization without sacrificing performance.

  • wouter:

    wouter is less extensible compared to others, focusing on simplicity and minimalism. While it allows for some customization, it may not provide the same level of extensibility as more feature-rich libraries.

  • react-router-native:

    react-router-native offers extensibility similar to react-router-dom, allowing developers to create custom navigation components tailored for mobile applications, enhancing the overall user experience.

Community and Support

  • react-router-dom:

    react-router-dom has a large and active community, with extensive documentation, tutorials, and resources available. This makes it easier for developers to find help and share knowledge, ensuring robust support for various use cases.

  • @reach/router:

    @reach/router has a smaller community compared to react-router-dom, but it is growing steadily. Documentation is clear, and the library is actively maintained, providing good support for developers.

  • wouter:

    wouter has a smaller community, which may limit the availability of resources and support. However, its simplicity makes it easy to adopt, and the documentation is straightforward.

  • react-router-native:

    react-router-native benefits from the same community as react-router-dom, providing access to a wealth of resources and support for mobile application development.

How to Choose: react-router-dom vs @reach/router vs wouter vs react-router-native
  • react-router-dom:

    Choose react-router-dom for a comprehensive routing solution that is widely adopted in the React ecosystem. It offers advanced features like nested routes, route matching, and hooks for managing navigation, making it suitable for complex applications.

  • @reach/router:

    Choose @reach/router if you prioritize accessibility and a minimalistic API. It is designed with a focus on providing a simple and intuitive routing solution while ensuring that your application is accessible to all users.

  • wouter:

    Choose wouter if you prefer a lightweight and minimalistic routing solution. It is designed to be fast and simple, with a small footprint, making it ideal for projects where performance and bundle size are critical.

  • react-router-native:

    Choose react-router-native if you are developing a React Native application. It provides a routing solution tailored for mobile apps, ensuring that the navigation experience is optimized for touch interfaces and mobile environments.

README for react-router-dom

This package simply re-exports everything from react-router to smooth the upgrade path for v6 applications. Once upgraded you can change all of your imports and remove it from your dependencies:

-import { Routes } from "react-router-dom"
+import { Routes } from "react-router"