React Hook Form vs Redux Form: What are the differences?

Introduction

React Hook Form and Redux Form are popular form management libraries in the React ecosystem. While both libraries have the same objective of simplifying form handling, they have distinct differences that set them apart. This article aims to highlight the key differences between React Hook Form and Redux Form.

1. Form State Management: React Hook Form uses an uncontrolled form approach, where form inputs are registered using the register function to track their state. The form data is then accessed using the handleSubmit function, which provides the form values. In contrast, Redux Form employs a controlled form approach, where form state is managed through Redux and form values are stored in the Redux store.

2. Performance: React Hook Form emphasizes performance and efficiency by minimizing re-renders. It achieves this by utilizing custom hooks and leveraging the fast reconciliation algorithm of React. Redux Form, on the other hand, tends to have more re-renders due to its state management being dependent on Redux.

3. Dependencies: React Hook Form has a minimal dependency footprint, relying mainly on React hooks. It does not require additional libraries such as Redux or Redux Thunk. In contrast, Redux Form has dependencies on Redux and other related packages, which may increase the project's overall size.

4. Learning Curve: React Hook Form aims to provide a simpler and more intuitive API for form management. Its lightweight nature and similarity to native HTML form handling make it easier to learn and adopt for developers familiar with React. Redux Form, however, has a more complex API, especially for beginners, due to its tight integration with Redux and the associated concepts like reducers and actions.

5. Form Validation: React Hook Form offers built-in form validation using a validation schema or custom validation functions. It provides support for synchronous and asynchronous validation. Redux Form, on the other hand, relies on third-party libraries for form validation, such as Redux Form Validation or custom validation implementations using Redux actions and reducers.

6. Code Organization: React Hook Form promotes a more component-based and declarative approach when organizing form-related logic. It encourages separating form functionality within individual components, which can make the codebase more modular and easier to maintain. Redux Form, on the other hand, integrates form state management across multiple components through the Redux store, potentially leading to more tightly coupled code.

In summary, React Hook Form and Redux Form differ in their approach to form management, performance optimization, dependencies, learning curve, form validation support, and code organization. These differences should be considered when choosing the appropriate form handling library for a project, based on specific requirements and trade-offs.