Top NPM Packages to Try for React (and Beyond) in 4

With the ever-evolving JavaScript ecosystem, staying updated with the latest tools is crucial for developers aiming to create fast, scalable, and innovative applications. This list covers 10 must-try NPM packages in 2024, each serving a unique purpose to enhance your projects. From improving UI to optimizing performance, these libraries are game-changers.

1. React Query

? Package: react-query
https://www.npmjs.com/package/react-query
⭐ Why You Should Try It:
React Query simplifies data fetching, caching, and synchronization in React applications. It eliminates the need for writing repetitive API-handling logic, providing a declarative way to manage server state.

✅ Advantages:
Automatic caching and refetching.
Optimistic updates for smoother UX.
Devtools for debugging queries.
⚠️ Disadvantage:
Adds a learning curve for developers unfamiliar with state management.
? Example:
Used by Hashnode for managing real-time data and API calls.

npm install @tanstack/react-query

import { useQuery } from '@tanstack/react-query';

function App() {
  const { data, error, isLoading } = useQuery(['user'], fetchUserData);

  if (isLoading) return <p>Loading...</p>;
  if (error) return <p>Error: {error.message}</p>;

  return <div>{data.name}</div>;
}

1. Chakra UI

? Package: @chakra-ui/react
https://www.chakra-ui.com/
⭐ Why You Should Try It:
A modular and accessible component library for React. It offers a great developer experience with built-in theming and responsiveness.

✅ Advantages:
Out-of-the-box components.
Dark mode support.
Highly customizable.
⚠️ Disadvantage:
Limited customization compared to styled-components or Tailwind.
? Example:
Used by Uber for building accessible design systems.

npm install @chakra-ui/react @emotion/react @emotion/styled framer-motion

import { Button } from '@chakra-ui/react';

function App() {
  return <Button colorScheme="teal">Click Me</Button>;
}

1. zustand

? Package: zustand
https://zustand-demo.pmnd.rs/
⭐ Why You Should Try It:
A small, fast, and flexible state management library that’s simpler than Redux. It works great with React.

✅ Advantages:
Minimal boilerplate.
Supports multiple stores.
Fast and lightweight.
⚠️ Disadvantage:
No built-in Devtools.
? Example:
Used by Polygon Technology for managing app state efficiently.

npm install zustand

import create from 'zustand';

const useStore = create((set) => ({
  count: 0,
  increment: () => set((state) => ({ count: state.count + 1 })),
}));

function Counter() {
  const { count, increment } = useStore();
  return <button onClick={increment}>Count: {count}</button>;
}

1. Framer Motion

? Package: framer-motion
https://motion.dev/
⭐ Why You Should Try It:
The go-to library for React animations. It provides an intuitive API for creating smooth, interactive animations.

✅ Advantages:
Simple, declarative syntax.
Excellent documentation.
Compatible with other React libraries.
⚠️ Disadvantage:
Slightly large bundle size for smaller apps.
? Example:
Used by Notion for its beautiful animations.

npm install framer-motion

import { useQuery } from '@tanstack/react-query';

function App() {
  const { data, error, isLoading } = useQuery(['user'], fetchUserData);

  if (isLoading) return <p>Loading...</p>;
  if (error) return <p>Error: {error.message}</p>;

  return <div>{data.name}</div>;
}

1. axios

? Package: axios
https://axios-http.com/fr/docs/intro
⭐ Why You Should Try It:
The most popular HTTP client for making API requests. It supports promises and is highly configurable.

✅ Advantages:
Supports interceptors for request/response.
Works in Node.js and the browser.
Automatic JSON transformation.
⚠️ Disadvantage:
Lacks built-in caching (use with React Query for best results).
? Example:
Used by Spotify for API requests.

npm install axios

import { Button } from '@chakra-ui/react';

function App() {
  return <Button colorScheme="teal">Click Me</Button>;
}

1. Tailwind CSS

? Package: tailwindcss
https://tailwindcss.com/
⭐ Why You Should Try It:
A utility-first CSS framework for creating custom designs without writing custom CSS. Tailwind scales with your needs and is highly efficient.

✅ Advantages:
No need to switch between CSS and JS files.
Excellent community and plugin support.
⚠️ Disadvantage:
Requires configuration for large projects.
? Example:
Used by GitHub for styling their components.

import create from 'zustand';

const useStore = create((set) => ({
  count: 0,
  increment: () => set((state) => ({ count: state.count + 1 })),
}));

function Counter() {
  const { count, increment } = useStore();
  return <button onClick={increment}>Count: {count}</button>;
}

import { motion } from 'framer-motion';

function App() {
  return <motion.div animate={{ x: 100 }}>Move Me</motion.div>;
}

1. SWR

? Package: swr
https://www.npmjs.com/package/swr
⭐ Why You Should Try It:
A lightweight library for data fetching built by Vercel. SWR focuses on simplicity and performance.

✅ Advantages:
Built-in caching.
Minimalistic API.
⚠️ Disadvantage:
Limited feature set compared to React Query.
? Example:
Used by Vercel for its dashboard data.

npm install swr

import axios from 'axios';

axios.get('/api/user').then((response) => console.log(response.data));

1. React Hook Form

? Package: react-hook-form
https://react-hook-form.com/
⭐ Why You Should Try It:
A library for form validation in React. It reduces re-renders and integrates seamlessly with third-party components.

✅ Advantages:
Fast and lightweight.
Excellent TypeScript support.
⚠️ Disadvantage:
Advanced use cases might require additional plugins.
? Example:
Used by Netflix for managing complex forms.

npm install react-hook-form

import { useQuery } from '@tanstack/react-query';

function App() {
  const { data, error, isLoading } = useQuery(['user'], fetchUserData);

  if (isLoading) return <p>Loading...</p>;
  if (error) return <p>Error: {error.message}</p>;

  return <div>{data.name}</div>;
}

1. Next.js

? Package: next
https://nextjs.org/
⭐ Why You Should Try It:
The ultimate React framework for building server-rendered and statically generated apps.

✅ Advantages:
Built-in routing.
Optimized for performance (image optimization, API routes).
⚠️ Disadvantage:
Adds complexity for smaller projects.
? Example:
Used by TikTok for their website.

npx create-next-app

1. Chart.js

? Package: chart.js
https://www.chartjs.org/
⭐ Why You Should Try It:
A powerful library for creating interactive charts and graphs.

✅ Advantages:
Supports multiple chart types.
Highly customizable.
⚠️ Disadvantage:
Not suitable for very large datasets.
? Example:
Used by CoinMarketCap for visualizing cryptocurrency data.

npm install chart.js

import { Button } from '@chakra-ui/react';

function App() {
  return <Button colorScheme="teal">Click Me</Button>;
}

Conclusion
Each of these NPM packages brings unique strengths to the table, whether you're building sleek user interfaces, managing state efficiently, or handling complex animations. From React-specific tools to universal JavaScript utilities, these libraries are indispensable for developers looking to level up their projects in 2024.

What’s Your Favorite Package for 2024?
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