react-window vs react-virtualized vs react-infinite-scroller
React Infinite Scrolling Libraries Comparison
3 Years
react-windowreact-virtualizedreact-infinite-scrollerSimilar Packages:
What's React Infinite Scrolling Libraries?

These libraries are designed to efficiently render large lists of data in React applications, enhancing user experience by loading content dynamically as the user scrolls. They help manage performance issues associated with rendering extensive datasets by implementing virtualization techniques, which only render items that are currently visible in the viewport. This approach minimizes the number of DOM nodes created, leading to improved performance and responsiveness in applications that deal with large datasets.

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Package
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react-window3,170,630
16,7673.98 MB36 days agoMIT
react-virtualized1,197,074
26,9492.24 MB08 months agoMIT
react-infinite-scroller356,640
3,30330.3 kB98-MIT
Feature Comparison: react-window vs react-virtualized vs react-infinite-scroller

Performance Optimization

  • react-window:

    react-window provides efficient rendering by only displaying items that are currently in the viewport, similar to react-virtualized but with a smaller footprint. It is optimized for performance with a simpler API, making it easy to integrate into applications.

  • react-virtualized:

    react-virtualized excels in performance by rendering only the visible items in the list, significantly reducing the number of DOM nodes and improving rendering speed. It supports features like dynamic row heights and cell caching, making it suitable for complex data presentations.

  • react-infinite-scroller:

    react-infinite-scroller optimizes performance by loading additional items only when the user approaches the end of the list, reducing the initial load time and memory usage. However, it does not implement virtualization, which may lead to performance issues with very large datasets.

Ease of Use

  • react-window:

    react-window strikes a balance between simplicity and functionality. It offers a straightforward API that is easy to grasp, making it accessible for developers while still providing the essential features needed for efficient list rendering.

  • react-virtualized:

    react-virtualized has a steeper learning curve due to its extensive feature set and configuration options. While powerful, it may require more time to understand and implement effectively, especially for developers unfamiliar with virtualization concepts.

  • react-infinite-scroller:

    react-infinite-scroller is designed for ease of use, with a simple API that allows developers to quickly implement infinite scrolling without much configuration. It is particularly user-friendly for those new to React or those who require a quick solution.

Flexibility and Customization

  • react-window:

    react-window offers a good level of customization while maintaining simplicity. It allows developers to adjust item sizes and styles easily, making it adaptable for various use cases without overwhelming complexity.

  • react-virtualized:

    react-virtualized provides extensive customization capabilities, allowing developers to create complex layouts and behaviors. Its flexibility makes it suitable for a wide range of applications, from simple lists to intricate data grids.

  • react-infinite-scroller:

    react-infinite-scroller offers limited customization options, focusing primarily on infinite scrolling. It is best suited for applications that require a straightforward implementation without extensive customization needs.

Community and Support

  • react-window:

    react-window, being a more recent library, has a growing community and good documentation. While it may not have as extensive a support network as react-virtualized, it is gaining traction and has sufficient resources for most common use cases.

  • react-virtualized:

    react-virtualized boasts a larger community and extensive documentation, providing ample resources for developers. This support can be invaluable for troubleshooting and finding best practices when implementing complex features.

  • react-infinite-scroller:

    react-infinite-scroller has a smaller community compared to the other two libraries, which may result in fewer resources and examples available for troubleshooting and implementation guidance.

Use Cases

  • react-window:

    react-window is perfect for straightforward lists and grids where performance is essential, but the complexity of features is not required. It works well for applications that prioritize speed and simplicity.

  • react-virtualized:

    react-virtualized is best suited for applications with complex data presentations, such as dashboards or data tables, where performance and flexibility are crucial due to the large volume of data being displayed.

  • react-infinite-scroller:

    react-infinite-scroller is ideal for applications that require simple infinite scrolling, such as social media feeds or image galleries, where loading more items as the user scrolls is the primary requirement.

How to Choose: react-window vs react-virtualized vs react-infinite-scroller
  • react-window:

    Select react-window for a lightweight alternative to react-virtualized, focusing on simplicity and performance. It is ideal for applications that need basic virtualization without the overhead of additional features, making it a great choice for straightforward lists.

  • react-virtualized:

    Opt for react-virtualized if you require advanced features such as windowing, dynamic row heights, and complex grid layouts. It provides a comprehensive set of components for efficiently rendering large lists and tables, making it suitable for applications with complex data structures.

  • react-infinite-scroller:

    Choose react-infinite-scroller if you need a simple and straightforward solution for implementing infinite scrolling in your application. It is easy to set up and works well for lists where you want to load more items as the user scrolls down.

README for react-window

react-window

react-window is a component library that helps render large lists of data quickly and without the performance problems that often go along with rendering a lot of data. It's used in a lot of places, from React DevTools to the Replay browser.

Support

If you like this project there are several ways to support it:

The following wonderful companies and individuals have sponsored react-window:

Installation

Begin by installing the library from NPM:

npm install react-window

Documentation

Documentation for this project is available at react-window.vercel.app.

Each release also ships with its own copy of the documentation (in the docs folder) which can be viewed by running:

# From the package directory
npx serve -s docs

# Or as an NPM-installed dependency
npx serve -s ./node_modules/react-window/docs

Note: Older version 1.x documentation can be found at react-window-v1.vercel.app or on the NPM page for a specific version, e.g. 1.8.11.)

TypeScript types

TypeScript definitions are included within the published dist folder