react-router vs react-router-dom vs react-native-gesture-handler vs react-navigation vs react-native-navigation
React Navigation Libraries Comparison
1 Year
react-routerreact-router-domreact-native-gesture-handlerreact-navigationreact-native-navigationSimilar Packages:
What's React Navigation Libraries?

These libraries are essential for managing navigation and gestures in React and React Native applications. They provide developers with tools to create seamless user experiences by handling transitions between different screens, managing state, and responding to user gestures. Each library has its own strengths and use cases, making it important to choose the right one based on the specific needs of your project.

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react-router12,836,09354,1832.36 MB26813 days agoMIT
react-router-dom11,749,76854,1835.44 kB26813 days agoMIT
react-native-gesture-handler1,313,8836,2744.24 MB6911 days agoMIT
react-navigation84,18223,844698 B806a year agoMIT
react-native-navigation13,10813,0694.67 MB25314 days agoMIT
Feature Comparison: react-router vs react-router-dom vs react-native-gesture-handler vs react-navigation vs react-native-navigation

Gesture Handling

  • react-router:

    This package does not focus on gesture handling as it is primarily for routing in web applications. It relies on traditional click events for navigation rather than touch gestures.

  • react-router-dom:

    Similar to react-router, this library does not provide gesture handling features. It is designed for web applications and focuses on managing navigation through URL changes and browser history.

  • react-native-gesture-handler:

    This library provides a robust API for handling gestures in React Native applications. It supports various gestures like tap, long press, pan, and swipe, allowing developers to create highly interactive and responsive user interfaces. The library also includes gesture recognizers that can be combined to create complex interactions, enhancing the overall user experience.

  • react-navigation:

    React Navigation offers basic gesture support for navigating between screens, such as swipe gestures for tab navigation. It is suitable for simple applications but may not provide the depth needed for complex gesture interactions compared to react-native-gesture-handler.

  • react-native-navigation:

    While primarily focused on navigation, this library also supports basic gesture handling for transitions between screens. However, it is not as feature-rich in gesture handling as react-native-gesture-handler, so for advanced gestures, it is recommended to use them together.

Integration with Native Features

  • react-router:

    This package is designed for web applications and does not interact with native features. It focuses on managing routes and rendering components based on the current URL, making it suitable for SPAs.

  • react-router-dom:

    Similar to react-router, this library is intended for web applications and does not provide native integration. It focuses on browser-based routing and does not handle mobile-specific features.

  • react-native-gesture-handler:

    This library is designed specifically for React Native, enabling seamless integration with native components and gestures. It leverages the native gesture system to provide high performance and responsiveness, making it ideal for mobile applications.

  • react-navigation:

    React Navigation is built on top of React Native and provides a JavaScript-based navigation solution. While it does not integrate as deeply with native components as react-native-navigation, it offers a simpler setup and is easier to use for most applications.

  • react-native-navigation:

    This library is built to integrate directly with native navigation components, providing a more native feel and performance. It allows developers to use native navigation paradigms, making it suitable for applications that require a consistent look and feel across platforms.

Complex Navigation Patterns

  • react-router:

    This library supports complex routing patterns for web applications, allowing for nested routes and dynamic routing based on application state. It is ideal for SPAs that require sophisticated routing capabilities.

  • react-router-dom:

    Similar to react-router, this library allows for complex routing patterns in web applications. It provides additional components for managing browser history and navigation, making it suitable for traditional web applications.

  • react-native-gesture-handler:

    This library does not directly manage navigation patterns but can be used in conjunction with navigation libraries to enhance gesture-based navigation experiences.

  • react-navigation:

    React Navigation provides a flexible way to manage various navigation patterns, including stack, tab, and drawer navigators. It is easy to set up and customize, making it a good choice for applications with moderate complexity.

  • react-native-navigation:

    This library excels in handling complex navigation patterns, such as nested navigators and modal presentations. It allows for a high degree of customization and supports deep linking, making it suitable for large applications with intricate navigation flows.

Community and Documentation

  • react-router:

    This package has a large community and extensive documentation, making it a reliable choice for web applications. It is widely used and supported, ensuring that developers can find help and resources easily.

  • react-router-dom:

    Similar to react-router, this library benefits from a large community and comprehensive documentation. It is well-supported and frequently updated, making it a solid choice for web routing.

  • react-native-gesture-handler:

    This library has a strong community and is well-documented, making it easy for developers to find resources and support. It is widely used in the React Native ecosystem, ensuring ongoing maintenance and updates.

  • react-navigation:

    React Navigation has an extensive community and excellent documentation, making it one of the most popular choices for navigation in React Native applications. Its simplicity and flexibility are well-documented, aiding developers in implementation.

  • react-native-navigation:

    This library also has a robust community and good documentation, but it may have a steeper learning curve due to its complexity. However, it is well-supported and frequently updated.

Performance

  • react-router:

    This package is optimized for web applications and provides fast navigation without full page reloads. It is efficient in managing state and rendering components based on the current route.

  • react-router-dom:

    Similar to react-router, this library is optimized for web applications and ensures efficient navigation and rendering. It is suitable for traditional web applications and SPAs.

  • react-native-gesture-handler:

    This library is optimized for performance, utilizing native components to handle gestures efficiently. It minimizes overhead and ensures smooth interactions, which is crucial for mobile applications.

  • react-navigation:

    React Navigation is generally performant for most applications, but it may not match the performance of native navigation solutions in highly complex scenarios. It is suitable for most use cases but may require optimization for larger applications.

  • react-native-navigation:

    This library is designed for high performance, leveraging native navigation components to provide fast transitions and low latency. It is suitable for applications that require a native feel and responsiveness.

How to Choose: react-router vs react-router-dom vs react-native-gesture-handler vs react-navigation vs react-native-navigation
  • react-router:

    Use this package for web applications built with React that require client-side routing. It allows for dynamic routing and is great for single-page applications (SPAs) where you want to manage navigation without full page reloads.

  • react-router-dom:

    Choose this library if you are building a React web application that needs to handle routing with browser features. It provides components that enable navigation and deep linking, making it suitable for traditional web applications.

  • react-native-gesture-handler:

    Choose this package if your application requires advanced gesture handling, such as swipe gestures, pinch-to-zoom, or drag-and-drop functionality. It is particularly useful in mobile applications where touch interactions are prevalent.

  • react-navigation:

    Select this library if you want a flexible and easy-to-use navigation solution for React Native apps. It is well-documented and offers a variety of navigators, making it suitable for most applications without the need for native code integration.

  • react-native-navigation:

    Opt for this package if you need a comprehensive navigation solution that integrates deeply with native navigation components. It is ideal for applications that require complex navigation patterns and a native feel, as it provides a smooth transition and performance.

README for react-router

react-router is the primary package in the React Router project.

Installation

npm i react-router