React Query vs SWR: Which One Is Used More in Production?
So far, I've only used axios for personal projects, but for this team project, we're planning to adopt a server state management library. I'm torn between React Query and SWR. Which one is more commonly used in production? I've heard there are differences in caching strategies and debugging convenience. I'd appreciate it if you could share your experiences.
10 answers
I've used both, and in the field, React Query is definitely more common. SWR is good too, but React Query's debugging tools and devtools are so well-made that it's more convenient for production operations.
Personally, I prefer SWR. It's lightweight and easy to learn, making it quick to implement. React Query has a lot of features, but it has a bit of a learning curve at first, so I think it's better to choose based on your team size.
Our team uses React Query, and its caching strategy is really powerful. With options like stale time and gc time, fine-grained control is possible, making it advantageous for managing complex data states. Debugging is also convenient thanks to the devtools.
I tried SWR and found the code more concise than React Query. Especially, a single useSWR hook handles most cases, making it perfect for small projects. But for larger scale, React Query might be better.
Having used both, React Query is overwhelmingly better for debugging. SWR was a bit inconvenient for error tracking. Caching works well for both, but React Query's infinite scroll and pagination features were more stable.
In the field, I've seen about 70% React Query and 30% SWR. SWR pairs well with Next.js, so consider SWR if you're in that ecosystem. React Query is more versatile.
I switched from SWR to React Query. The reason is that mutation management is much more convenient with React Query. Optimistic updates are easy, and query invalidation is intuitive.
For team projects, I recommend React Query. It has great documentation and a large community, making it easy to find solutions when issues arise. SWR felt a bit lacking in documentation.
I've used both, and honestly, the performance difference is negligible. What really matters is what the team is more familiar with. Most of our members have experience with React Query, so we standardized on that.
I use SWR for personal projects and React Query at work. SWR is great for quick starts with minimal setup, while React Query offers better stability and debugging in production environments. Both are solid choices, so pick the one that fits your situation.