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.

NPM Package Downloads Trend
Github Stars Ranking
Stat Detail
Package
Downloads
Stars
Size
Issues
Publish
License
react-dnd1,896,71620,976231 kB452-MIT
react-beautiful-dnd1,596,67933,3101.39 MB647-Apache-2.0
react-sortable-hoc488,82110,800-2924 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.