react-dnd vs react-beautiful-dnd vs react-sortablejs
React Drag-and-Drop Libraries Comparison
1 Year
react-dndreact-beautiful-dndreact-sortablejsSimilar Packages:
What's React Drag-and-Drop Libraries?

Drag-and-drop libraries in React provide developers with tools to implement intuitive and interactive drag-and-drop interfaces. These libraries simplify the process of creating draggable components, enabling users to reorder lists, move items between containers, and create complex layouts. They enhance user experience by allowing users to interact with the UI in a more dynamic and engaging way. Each library offers unique features and design philosophies, catering to different use cases and developer preferences.

Package Weekly Downloads Trend
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Package
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License
react-dnd2,229,91621,257231 kB460-MIT
react-beautiful-dnd1,751,73633,6861.39 MB643-Apache-2.0
react-sortablejs210,7872,10174.1 kB107-MIT
Feature Comparison: react-dnd vs react-beautiful-dnd vs react-sortablejs

Ease of Use

  • react-dnd:

    react-dnd has a steeper learning curve due to its flexibility and low-level API. It requires a deeper understanding of the drag-and-drop context and the use of higher-order components, which may be challenging for beginners but offers powerful customization options for experienced developers.

  • react-beautiful-dnd:

    react-beautiful-dnd is designed to be user-friendly, providing a high-level API that abstracts many complexities of drag-and-drop functionality. It offers a simple setup process and requires minimal configuration, making it accessible for developers of all skill levels.

  • react-sortablejs:

    react-sortablejs is straightforward to implement, especially for sortable lists. It provides a simple API that allows developers to quickly set up drag-and-drop functionality without extensive configuration.

Customization

  • react-dnd:

    react-dnd excels in customization, allowing developers to define their own drag sources, drop targets, and drag previews. This flexibility makes it suitable for complex applications that require tailored drag-and-drop behavior.

  • react-beautiful-dnd:

    react-beautiful-dnd offers limited customization options compared to other libraries. While it provides a visually appealing default experience, developers may find it challenging to implement highly customized drag-and-drop interactions without extensive workarounds.

  • react-sortablejs:

    react-sortablejs provides a good balance of customization and simplicity. It allows developers to customize the sorting behavior and appearance of draggable items while maintaining a straightforward implementation.

Performance

  • react-dnd:

    react-dnd is highly performant and can handle complex drag-and-drop scenarios efficiently. Its design allows for fine-tuning performance through the use of custom drag previews and optimized rendering strategies.

  • react-beautiful-dnd:

    react-beautiful-dnd is optimized for performance with features like virtual scrolling and efficient rendering. However, it may experience performance issues with very large lists or complex nested structures due to its reliance on the React reconciliation process.

  • react-sortablejs:

    react-sortablejs is lightweight and offers excellent performance for sortable lists. It minimizes overhead and is particularly efficient for handling large datasets, making it a good choice for applications that require high responsiveness.

Accessibility

  • react-dnd:

    react-dnd requires additional effort to ensure accessibility, as it does not provide built-in support for keyboard interactions or ARIA roles. Developers need to implement these features manually to create accessible drag-and-drop experiences.

  • react-beautiful-dnd:

    react-beautiful-dnd places a strong emphasis on accessibility, providing built-in keyboard navigation support and ARIA attributes. This makes it easier for developers to create inclusive drag-and-drop interfaces that comply with accessibility standards.

  • react-sortablejs:

    react-sortablejs has limited built-in accessibility features, so developers must implement their own solutions to ensure that drag-and-drop interactions are accessible to all users.

Community and Support

  • react-dnd:

    react-dnd also has a robust community and extensive documentation. Its flexibility and customization options are well-supported by numerous examples and tutorials available online, making it easier for developers to learn and troubleshoot.

  • react-beautiful-dnd:

    react-beautiful-dnd has a strong community and is well-documented, making it easy for developers to find resources, examples, and support. Its popularity ensures that common issues are often addressed in forums and GitHub discussions.

  • react-sortablejs:

    react-sortablejs has a smaller community compared to the other two libraries, but it is still well-documented. While resources may be less abundant, the library's simplicity often leads to fewer issues needing support.

How to Choose: react-dnd vs react-beautiful-dnd vs react-sortablejs
  • react-dnd:

    Choose react-dnd for more complex drag-and-drop interactions that require a higher level of customization and flexibility. It is suitable for applications that need to handle multiple drag sources and drop targets, as well as custom drag previews.

  • react-beautiful-dnd:

    Choose react-beautiful-dnd if you need a simple and visually appealing drag-and-drop experience with built-in animations and accessibility features. It is ideal for applications that require a straightforward implementation for lists and grids.

  • react-sortablejs:

    Choose react-sortablejs if you want a lightweight solution with a focus on sortable lists. It is perfect for scenarios where you need to reorder items in a list with minimal configuration and good performance.

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.