react-infinite-scroll-component vs react-list vs react-virtualized vs react-window
React Infinite Scrolling and Virtualization Libraries
react-infinite-scroll-componentreact-listreact-virtualizedreact-windowSimilar Packages:

React Infinite Scrolling and Virtualization Libraries

These libraries are designed to enhance performance and user experience in React applications by efficiently rendering lists and handling infinite scrolling. They provide various methods to manage large datasets, ensuring that only the visible items are rendered in the DOM, which significantly improves rendering speed and reduces memory usage. This is particularly important for applications that display long lists or require dynamic loading of content as the user scrolls, making them essential tools for modern web development.

Npm Package Weekly Downloads Trend

3 Years

Github Stars Ranking

Stat Detail

Package
Downloads
Stars
Size
Issues
Publish
License
react-infinite-scroll-component03,068199 kB202a day agoMIT
react-list01,97434.9 kB71a year agoMIT
react-virtualized027,0722.24 MB0a year agoMIT
react-window017,144209 kB12 months agoMIT

Feature Comparison: react-infinite-scroll-component vs react-list vs react-virtualized vs react-window

Virtualization

  • react-infinite-scroll-component:

    This package does not implement virtualization; instead, it focuses on loading more items as the user scrolls. It is best for scenarios where the total number of items is manageable, and you want to keep the user experience seamless without complex setups.

  • react-list:

    react-list provides basic virtualization by rendering only the visible items in the list. It is effective for lists with uniform item heights, ensuring that performance is optimized without overwhelming the DOM with hidden elements.

  • react-virtualized:

    react-virtualized offers comprehensive virtualization features, allowing developers to render only the visible portion of a list or grid. It supports dynamic row heights, making it suitable for complex layouts and large datasets, significantly improving performance.

  • react-window:

    react-window simplifies virtualization by rendering only the visible items in a list or grid. It is lightweight and efficient, making it a great choice for applications that require basic virtualization without the complexity of additional features.

Ease of Use

  • react-infinite-scroll-component:

    This library is very easy to integrate and use, requiring minimal configuration. It is designed for developers who want to quickly implement infinite scrolling without diving deep into the complexities of virtualization.

  • react-list:

    react-list is straightforward to use, providing a simple API for rendering lists. It is suitable for developers who need a quick solution for displaying lists without extensive setup or configuration.

  • react-virtualized:

    react-virtualized has a steeper learning curve due to its extensive features and configuration options. It is best for developers who need advanced capabilities and are willing to invest time in understanding its API.

  • react-window:

    react-window offers a balance between ease of use and performance. Its simpler API compared to react-virtualized makes it easier to implement while still providing essential virtualization features.

Performance Optimization

  • react-infinite-scroll-component:

    This package optimizes performance by loading items on demand, reducing the initial load time. However, it does not optimize rendering for large lists, which could lead to performance issues if not managed properly.

  • react-list:

    react-list optimizes performance by only rendering visible items, which helps in managing memory usage. It is effective for medium-sized lists but may not perform as well with very large datasets compared to more advanced libraries.

  • react-virtualized:

    react-virtualized is highly optimized for performance, capable of handling very large datasets efficiently. It minimizes DOM updates and re-renders, making it ideal for applications that require fast rendering and scrolling capabilities.

  • react-window:

    react-window is designed for performance with a minimal footprint. It efficiently renders only the visible items, making it suitable for applications that need quick load times and smooth scrolling experiences.

Customization

  • react-infinite-scroll-component:

    This library offers limited customization options, focusing primarily on infinite scrolling functionality. It is best for developers who need a quick solution without extensive customization requirements.

  • react-list:

    react-list allows for some customization in terms of item rendering, but it is relatively basic. Developers looking for more control over the rendering process may find it somewhat limiting.

  • react-virtualized:

    react-virtualized provides extensive customization options, allowing developers to tailor the rendering and scrolling behavior to fit specific needs. It is ideal for applications that require a high degree of flexibility and control.

  • react-window:

    react-window offers a good level of customization while maintaining simplicity. It allows developers to customize the rendering of items while keeping the API straightforward, making it suitable for most use cases.

Community and Support

  • react-infinite-scroll-component:

    This package has a growing community and is well-documented, making it easy to find support and examples for implementation. It is suitable for developers looking for a reliable library with community backing.

  • react-list:

    react-list has a smaller community compared to others, which may result in less available support and fewer resources. It is still a viable option for simple use cases but may lack extensive community-driven enhancements.

  • react-virtualized:

    react-virtualized has a large community and extensive documentation, providing ample resources for developers. It is well-supported and frequently updated, making it a solid choice for complex applications.

  • react-window:

    react-window has a growing community and is well-documented, making it easy to find examples and support. It is a popular choice for developers looking for a lightweight virtualization solution.

How to Choose: react-infinite-scroll-component vs react-list vs react-virtualized vs react-window

  • react-infinite-scroll-component:

    Choose this package if you need a straightforward implementation of infinite scrolling with minimal setup. It is ideal for applications where you want to load more items as the user scrolls down, without complex configurations.

  • react-list:

    Opt for react-list if you require a simple, lightweight solution for rendering large lists with basic virtualization. It is suitable for applications where you want to maintain a balance between performance and ease of use, especially when the list items are of uniform height.

  • react-virtualized:

    Select react-virtualized for advanced use cases that require extensive features like windowing, dynamic row heights, and complex layouts. It is best suited for applications that need fine-grained control over rendering and scrolling behavior, making it ideal for data-heavy applications.

  • react-window:

    Choose react-window if you need a lightweight alternative to react-virtualized with a simpler API. It is perfect for applications that require basic virtualization without the overhead of additional features, making it suitable for most use cases where performance is a priority.

README for react-infinite-scroll-component

react-infinite-scroll-component npm npm

All Contributors

A component to make all your infinite scrolling woes go away with just 4.15 kB! Pull Down to Refresh feature added. An infinite-scroll that actually works and super-simple to integrate!

Install

  npm install --save react-infinite-scroll-component

  or

  yarn add react-infinite-scroll-component

  // in code ES6
  import InfiniteScroll from 'react-infinite-scroll-component';
  // or commonjs
  var InfiniteScroll = require('react-infinite-scroll-component');

Using

<InfiniteScroll
  dataLength={items.length} //This is important field to render the next data
  next={fetchData}
  hasMore={true}
  loader={<h4>Loading...</h4>}
  endMessage={
    <p style={{ textAlign: 'center' }}>
      <b>Yay! You have seen it all</b>
    </p>
  }
  // below props only if you need pull down functionality
  refreshFunction={this.refresh}
  pullDownToRefresh
  pullDownToRefreshThreshold={50}
  pullDownToRefreshContent={
    <h3 style={{ textAlign: 'center' }}>&#8595; Pull down to refresh</h3>
  }
  releaseToRefreshContent={
    <h3 style={{ textAlign: 'center' }}>&#8593; Release to refresh</h3>
  }
>
  {items}
</InfiniteScroll>

Using scroll on top

<div
  id="scrollableDiv"
  style={{
    height: 300,
    overflow: 'auto',
    display: 'flex',
    flexDirection: 'column-reverse',
  }}
>
  {/*Put the scroll bar always on the bottom*/}
  <InfiniteScroll
    dataLength={this.state.items.length}
    next={this.fetchMoreData}
    style={{ display: 'flex', flexDirection: 'column-reverse' }} //To put endMessage and loader to the top.
    inverse={true} //
    hasMore={true}
    loader={<h4>Loading...</h4>}
    scrollableTarget="scrollableDiv"
  >
    {this.state.items.map((_, index) => (
      <div style={style} key={index}>
        div - #{index}
      </div>
    ))}
  </InfiniteScroll>
</div>

The InfiniteScroll component can be used in three ways.

  • Specify a value for the height prop if you want your scrollable content to have a specific height, providing scrollbars for scrolling your content and fetching more data.
  • If your scrollable content is being rendered within a parent element that is already providing overflow scrollbars, you can set the scrollableTarget prop to reference the DOM element and use it's scrollbars for fetching more data.
  • Without setting either the height or scrollableTarget props, the scroll will happen at document.body like Facebook's timeline scroll.

docs version wise

3.0.2

live examples

  • infinite scroll (never ending) example using react (body/window scroll)
    • Edit yk7637p62z
  • infinte scroll till 500 elements (body/window scroll)
    • Edit 439v8rmqm0
  • infinite scroll in an element (div of height 400px)
    • Edit w3w89k7x8
  • infinite scroll with scrollableTarget (a parent element which is scrollable)
    • Edit r7rp40n0zm

props

nametypedescription
nextfunctiona function which must be called after reaching the bottom. It must trigger some sort of action which fetches the next data. The data is passed as children to the InfiniteScroll component and the data should contain previous items too. e.g. Initial data = [1, 2, 3] and then next load of data should be [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6].
hasMorebooleanit tells the InfiniteScroll component on whether to call next function on reaching the bottom and shows an endMessage to the user
childrennode (list)the data items which you need to scroll.
dataLengthnumberset the length of the data.This will unlock the subsequent calls to next.
loadernodeyou can send a loader component to show while the component waits for the next load of data. e.g. <h3>Loading...</h3> or any fancy loader element
scrollThresholdnumber | stringA threshold value defining when InfiniteScroll will call next. Default value is 0.8. It means the next will be called when user comes below 80% of the total height. If you pass threshold in pixels (scrollThreshold="200px"), next will be called once you scroll at least (100% - scrollThreshold) pixels down.
onScrollfunctiona function that will listen to the scroll event on the scrolling container. Note that the scroll event is throttled, so you may not receive as many events as you would expect.
endMessagenodethis message is shown to the user when he has seen all the records which means he's at the bottom and hasMore is false
classNamestringadd any custom class you want
styleobjectany style which you want to override
heightnumberoptional, give only if you want to have a fixed height scrolling content
scrollableTargetnode or stringoptional, reference to a (parent) DOM element that is already providing overflow scrollbars to the InfiniteScroll component. You should provide the id of the DOM node preferably.
hasChildrenboolchildren is by default assumed to be of type array and it's length is used to determine if loader needs to be shown or not, if your children is not an array, specify this prop to tell if your items are 0 or more.
pullDownToRefreshboolto enable Pull Down to Refresh feature
pullDownToRefreshContentnodeany JSX that you want to show the user, default={<h3>Pull down to refresh</h3>}
releaseToRefreshContentnodeany JSX that you want to show the user, default={<h3>Release to refresh</h3>}
pullDownToRefreshThresholdnumberminimum distance the user needs to pull down to trigger the refresh, default=100px , a lower value may be needed to trigger the refresh depending your users browser.
refreshFunctionfunctionthis function will be called, it should return the fresh data that you want to show the user
initialScrollYnumberset a scroll y position for the component to render with.
inverseboolset infinite scroll on top

Contributors ✨

Thanks goes to these wonderful people (emoji key):


Ankeet Maini

💬 📖 💻 👀 🚧

Darsh Shah

🚇

This project follows the all-contributors specification. Contributions of any kind are welcome!

LICENSE

MIT