react-query is a powerful data-fetching and state management library for React applications. It simplifies the process of fetching, caching, and synchronizing server state, allowing developers to focus on building their applications without worrying about the complexities of data management. With features like automatic caching, background updates, and query invalidation, react-query is well-suited for applications that rely heavily on server data. It provides a robust solution for managing asynchronous data and is particularly useful in scenarios where data needs to be fetched frequently or updated in real-time.

While react-query is a fantastic choice for data fetching, there are several alternatives worth considering:

• axios is a popular promise-based HTTP client for making requests to external APIs. While it is not a state management library itself, it is often used in conjunction with state management solutions to handle data fetching. Developers appreciate axios for its simplicity, ease of use, and ability to intercept requests and responses. If you prefer a straightforward approach to making HTTP requests without the additional features of a data-fetching library, axios is a solid choice.
• redux-query is a library that integrates data fetching with Redux, allowing developers to manage server state alongside their application state. It provides a way to define queries and mutations in a Redux-friendly manner, making it easier to manage complex data-fetching scenarios. If your application already uses Redux for state management and you want to incorporate data fetching into that flow, redux-query can be a good fit.
• swr is another data-fetching library for React that focuses on simplicity and performance. It provides features such as caching, revalidation, and automatic retries, similar to react-query. swr is designed to work seamlessly with React's hooks, making it a great option for developers looking for a minimalistic approach to data fetching. If you prefer a lightweight library that still offers powerful data-fetching capabilities, swr is worth considering.

To see how react-query compares with axios, redux-query, and swr, check out the comparison: Comparing axios vs react-query vs redux-query vs swr.