What are the performance limitation of using react-spring?

[brightdev0814]

Body

I'm building timeline components using the react-spring library, and I'd like to understand its performance limitations.
Please help me

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[dev-0911]

React-Spring is a great animation library, but it does have some performance limitations, especially when building complex components like a timeline. Here are some key factors to consider:

1. Re-renders and Performance Overhead

React-Spring relies on React’s reconciliation process, which can cause unnecessary re-renders if animations aren't optimized.
Solution: Use useSpringRef to control multiple animations efficiently and memo to prevent re-renders.

2. Heavy CPU Usage for Many Animated Elements

Animating a large number of components simultaneously can cause CPU bottlenecks.
Solution: Reduce the number of elements animated at once or switch to CSS animations for static effects.

3. JavaScript-Driven Animations

Since React-Spring uses JavaScript-based animations (vs. native CSS), it may struggle with high-frequency updates, such as animating hundreds of timeline elements at once.
Solution: Offload simple animations to CSS transforms (will-change: transform) for better GPU acceleration.

4. Complex Interpolations Can Be Costly

Heavy interpolations (especially chaining multiple interpolate functions) can slow down animations.
Solution: Reduce unnecessary interpolations and use to instead of interpolate when possible.

5. Garbage Collection and Memory Leaks

Continuous animations or improperly unmounted components can cause memory leaks.
Solution: Always cancel animations when components unmount using stop or api.start({ cancel: true }).

6. Poor Performance on Low-End Devices

If targeting older devices, React-Spring’s animations may stutter due to limited processing power.
Solution: Reduce animation complexity, avoid animating opacity & width/height (use transform instead), and enable hardware acceleration (translate3d).

[brightdev0814]

And then, Could you provide me some better alternatives?

…

On Mon, Feb 24, 2025 at 8:53 AM Angry Dev ***@***.***> wrote: React-Spring is a great animation library, but it does have some performance limitations, especially when building complex components like a timeline. Here are some key factors to consider: 1. Re-renders and Performance Overhead React-Spring relies on React’s reconciliation process, which can cause unnecessary re-renders if animations aren't optimized. Solution: Use useSpringRef to control multiple animations efficiently and memo to prevent re-renders. 2. Heavy CPU Usage for Many Animated Elements Animating a large number of components simultaneously can cause CPU bottlenecks. Solution: Reduce the number of elements animated at once or switch to CSS animations for static effects. 3. JavaScript-Driven Animations Since React-Spring uses JavaScript-based animations (vs. native CSS), it may struggle with high-frequency updates, such as animating hundreds of timeline elements at once. Solution: Offload simple animations to CSS transforms (will-change: transform) for better GPU acceleration. 4. Complex Interpolations Can Be Costly Heavy interpolations (especially chaining multiple interpolate functions) can slow down animations. Solution: Reduce unnecessary interpolations and use to instead of interpolate when possible. 5. Garbage Collection and Memory Leaks Continuous animations or improperly unmounted components can cause memory leaks. Solution: Always cancel animations when components unmount using stop or api.start({ cancel: true }). 6. Poor Performance on Low-End Devices If targeting older devices, React-Spring’s animations may stutter due to limited processing power. Solution: Reduce animation complexity, avoid animating opacity & width/height (use transform instead), and enable hardware acceleration (translate3d). — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#151978 (comment)>, or unsubscribe <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/A234RIHUOWXU2UC7ZYPDAQ32RLFY7AVCNFSM6AAAAABXSDKF6KVHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43URDJONRXK43TNFXW4Q3PNVWWK3TUHMYTEMRZG4ZTKMQ> . You are receiving this because you authored the thread.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[dev-0911]

If you're hitting performance limitations with React-Spring, here are some better alternatives depending on your needs:

1. Framer Motion (Best Overall Alternative) 🚀
2. GSAP (Best for Complex Animations) 🎬
3. Native CSS + Tailwind (Best for Simple Animations) 🎨

[brightdev0814]

Thanks for the tip!

…

On Mon, Feb 24, 2025 at 8:58 AM Angry Dev ***@***.***> wrote: If you're hitting performance limitations with React-Spring, here are some better alternatives depending on your needs: 1. Framer Motion (Best Overall Alternative) 🚀 2. GSAP (Best for Complex Animations) 🎬 3. Native CSS + Tailwind (Best for Simple Animations) 🎨 — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#151978 (comment)>, or unsubscribe <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/A234RIC4GE7PIR4TN5YEPSL2RLGJZAVCNFSM6AAAAABXSDKF6KVHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43URDJONRXK43TNFXW4Q3PNVWWK3TUHMYTEMRZG4ZTQNQ> . You are receiving this because you authored the thread.Message ID: ***@***.***>