bootstrap vs react-bootstrap vs reactstrap | Web Development UI Frameworks Comparison

Package	Downloads	Stars	Size	Issues	Publish	License

bootstrap	4,839,529	172,303	9.62 MB	537	10 days ago	MIT
react-bootstrap	1,213,310	22,558	1.48 MB	206	4 days ago	MIT
reactstrap	472,710	10,572	2.22 MB	319	8 months ago	MIT

Component Integration

bootstrap:
Bootstrap provides a wide range of pre-styled components that can be easily integrated into any web project. These components are built with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, making them framework-agnostic and easy to use in any environment.
react-bootstrap:
React-Bootstrap replaces Bootstrap's JavaScript components with React components, allowing for better integration with React's state and lifecycle methods. This approach makes it easier to manage component behavior and styling in a React application.
reactstrap:
Reactstrap provides a set of React components that are styled using Bootstrap's CSS. It does not include any JavaScript functionality, allowing developers to implement their own behavior as needed, which can lead to a more lightweight and customizable solution.

Customization

bootstrap:
Bootstrap allows for extensive customization through its Sass variables and mixins. Developers can easily override default styles, create custom themes, and modify component behavior by writing their own CSS or using Bootstrap's built-in customization tools.
react-bootstrap:
React-Bootstrap inherits Bootstrap's customization capabilities while also allowing for additional customization through React props and state. This combination enables developers to create highly customizable components that can adapt to their application's design and functionality requirements.
reactstrap:
Reactstrap is designed to be easily customizable, with a focus on providing a simple API for styling components. It encourages the use of Bootstrap's built-in customization features while also allowing developers to apply their own styles and classes as needed.

Bundle Size

bootstrap:
Bootstrap is a relatively large framework, but its size can be mitigated by only including the CSS and JavaScript files for the components that are actually used. Developers can also use tools like PurgeCSS to remove unused styles and reduce the overall bundle size.
react-bootstrap:
React-Bootstrap has a smaller bundle size compared to using Bootstrap with traditional JavaScript, as it eliminates the need for Bootstrap's JavaScript components. However, the size will vary depending on how many components are imported and used in the application.
reactstrap:
Reactstrap is known for its lightweight nature, especially since it does not include any JavaScript functionality. This makes it a great choice for projects where minimizing bundle size is a priority, while still leveraging Bootstrap's styling.

Accessibility

bootstrap:
Bootstrap is built with accessibility in mind, providing ARIA attributes and keyboard navigation support for its components. However, developers are encouraged to follow best practices and ensure that their custom implementations also adhere to accessibility standards.
react-bootstrap:
React-Bootstrap enhances accessibility by providing components that are designed to work well with screen readers and keyboard navigation. The library aims to maintain Bootstrap's accessibility features while also allowing developers to implement additional ARIA attributes and accessibility features as needed.
reactstrap:
Reactstrap focuses on providing accessible components by following Bootstrap's accessibility guidelines. It is important for developers to ensure that they use the components correctly and add any necessary accessibility features to their custom implementations.

Ease of Use: Code Examples

bootstrap:

Using Bootstrap in a simple HTML page

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
    <meta charset="UTF-8">
    <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
    <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://stackpath.bootstrapcdn.com/bootstrap/4.5.2/css/bootstrap.min.css">
    <title>Bootstrap Example</title>
</head>
<body>
    <div class="container">
        <h1 class="mt-5">Hello, Bootstrap!</h1>
        <button class="btn btn-primary">Click Me</button>
    </div>
    <script src="https://code.jquery.com/jquery-3.5.1.slim.min.js"></script>
    <script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/@popperjs/core@2.9.2/dist/umd/popper.min.js"></script>
    <script src="https://stackpath.bootstrapcdn.com/bootstrap/4.5.2/js/bootstrap.min.js"></script>
</body>
</html>

react-bootstrap:

Using React-Bootstrap in a React application

import React from 'react';
import 'bootstrap/dist/css/bootstrap.min.css';
import { Button } from 'react-bootstrap';

function App() {
    return (
        <div className="container">
            <h1 className="mt-5">Hello, React-Bootstrap!</h1>
            <Button variant="primary">Click Me</Button>
        </div>
    );
}

export default App;

reactstrap:

Using Reactstrap in a React application

import React from 'react';
import 'bootstrap/dist/css/bootstrap.min.css';
import { Button } from 'reactstrap';

function App() {
    return (
        <div className="container">
            <h1 className="mt-5">Hello, Reactstrap!</h1>
            <Button color="primary">Click Me</Button>
        </div>
    );
}

export default App;