Which is Better React Drag-and-Drop Libraries?
react-dnd vs react-beautiful-dnd vs react-sortable-hoc
1 Year
react-dndreact-beautiful-dndreact-sortable-hoc
What's React Drag-and-Drop Libraries?

Drag-and-drop libraries in React provide developers with the tools to create interactive user interfaces that allow users to move items around within a UI. These libraries simplify the implementation of drag-and-drop functionality, enabling features like reordering lists, moving items between containers, and creating complex drag-and-drop interactions. Each library has its own approach and features, catering to different use cases and developer preferences.

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react-dnd1,957,36721,032231 kB454-MIT
react-beautiful-dnd1,497,70933,3831.39 MB647-Apache-2.0
react-sortable-hoc472,99910,814-2934 years agoMIT
Feature Comparison: react-dnd vs react-beautiful-dnd vs react-sortable-hoc

Ease of Use

  • react-dnd: react-dnd has a steeper learning curve due to its lower-level API. It requires a deeper understanding of how drag-and-drop works in React, which can be beneficial for complex use cases but may be overwhelming for beginners.
  • react-beautiful-dnd: react-beautiful-dnd is designed to be easy to use, with a simple API that allows developers to quickly implement drag-and-drop functionality. It provides built-in styles and animations, making it visually appealing without requiring extensive customization.
  • react-sortable-hoc: react-sortable-hoc is user-friendly and allows developers to create sortable lists with minimal configuration. Its higher-order component approach makes it easy to integrate into existing components.

Customization

  • react-dnd: react-dnd excels in customization, allowing developers to define their own drag-and-drop behavior and interactions. It provides hooks and utilities to create highly tailored experiences, making it suitable for complex applications.
  • react-beautiful-dnd: While react-beautiful-dnd offers some customization options, it is primarily focused on providing a consistent and accessible experience out of the box. Developers can customize styles and behaviors, but it may not be as flexible for unique use cases.
  • react-sortable-hoc: react-sortable-hoc offers customization primarily for sorting behavior. Developers can easily customize the appearance and behavior of sortable items, but it may not provide the same level of flexibility as react-dnd for complex interactions.

Performance

  • react-dnd: react-dnd can handle complex drag-and-drop interactions efficiently, but performance may vary depending on the implementation. Developers need to be mindful of performance optimizations, especially in large applications.
  • react-beautiful-dnd: react-beautiful-dnd is optimized for performance, especially with large lists. It uses a virtualized approach to minimize re-renders and improve responsiveness, ensuring smooth drag-and-drop interactions even with many items.
  • react-sortable-hoc: react-sortable-hoc is generally performant for sortable lists, but performance can degrade with a very large number of items. Developers should consider optimizations like memoization to enhance performance.

Accessibility

  • react-dnd: react-dnd does not focus heavily on accessibility by default, so developers may need to implement their own accessibility features. This can be a drawback for applications that require strong accessibility support.
  • react-beautiful-dnd: react-beautiful-dnd places a strong emphasis on accessibility, providing keyboard navigation and screen reader support out of the box. This makes it a great choice for applications that prioritize inclusivity.
  • react-sortable-hoc: react-sortable-hoc does not provide built-in accessibility features, so developers will need to add their own support for keyboard navigation and screen readers.

Community and Support

  • react-dnd: react-dnd also has a robust community and extensive documentation, which is beneficial for developers looking to implement complex drag-and-drop features. However, its complexity may lead to a steeper learning curve for newcomers.
  • react-beautiful-dnd: react-beautiful-dnd has a strong community and is well-documented, making it easy to find resources and support. Its popularity ensures that developers can find solutions to common issues quickly.
  • react-sortable-hoc: react-sortable-hoc has a smaller community compared to the other two libraries, but it is still well-documented. Developers may find fewer resources and examples, which could impact the learning process.
How to Choose: react-dnd vs react-beautiful-dnd vs react-sortable-hoc
  • react-dnd: Choose react-dnd if you require a more flexible and customizable drag-and-drop solution. It is suitable for complex drag-and-drop scenarios, such as dragging items between different types of containers or implementing advanced interactions. It provides a lower-level API that allows for greater control over the drag-and-drop behavior.
  • react-beautiful-dnd: Choose react-beautiful-dnd if you need a simple and visually appealing drag-and-drop experience, especially for lists and grids. It is highly focused on accessibility and provides a straightforward API for implementing drag-and-drop interactions with minimal setup.
  • react-sortable-hoc: Choose react-sortable-hoc if your primary need is for sortable lists. It is built on top of React's higher-order components and provides a simple way to create sortable lists with minimal boilerplate. It is ideal for scenarios where you want to reorder items within a list.
README for react-dnd

npm version npm downloads Build Status

React DnD

Drag and Drop for React.

See the docs, tutorials and examples on the website:

http://react-dnd.github.io/react-dnd/

See the changelog on the Releases page:

https://github.com/react-dnd/react-dnd/releases

Big thanks to BrowserStack for letting the maintainers use their service to debug browser issues.