vs
Framer Motion vs React Spring
Framer Motion vs React Spring: which animation library?
Two leading React animation libraries. Motion (Framer Motion) is declarative and approachable; React Spring is physics-based and flexible. Which fits your project?
Updated August 2026 · Written by Shaheer Malik, who ships in both
Quick answer
Choose Motion (Framer Motion) for a declarative, approachable API that covers most UI animation, gestures and layout transitions with minimal code. Choose React Spring when you want fine-grained, physics-based control over spring dynamics. Motion is easiest and most popular; React Spring is the more physics-purist option.
Motion (formerly Framer Motion) and React Spring are the two most-used animation libraries for React. Motion is declarative and beginner-friendly — animate props, add gestures, and get layout transitions almost for free. React Spring is built around spring physics, giving you granular control over how motion feels.
Both are excellent. The choice comes down to how much control you want versus how fast you want to move. Here's the honest comparison.
| Dimension |  Motion |  React Spring |
|---|---|---|
| API style | Declarative, prop-based | Hooks + spring config |
| Ease of use | Very approachable | Steeper, more concepts |
| Physics control | Springs + tweens, simple | Deep, physics-first |
| Gestures | Built-in (drag, hover, tap) | Via react-use-gesture |
| Layout animations | Excellent, automatic | More manual |
| Popularity & docs | Largest, great docs | Strong, smaller |
| Best for | Most React UI animation | Fine-grained physics control |
Choose Motion if…
- You want the fastest path to great UI animation
- You need gestures and layout transitions built in
- You value a large community and docs
- Declarative, prop-based code appeals to you
Choose React Spring if…
- You want fine control over spring physics
- Precise, natural motion is the priority
- You're comfortable with a hooks-based API
- You want a lighter, physics-first library
The honest verdict
For most React projects, Motion (Framer Motion) is the pragmatic winner — the easiest API, built-in gestures and layout animations, and the biggest community. React Spring shines when you want granular, physics-based control over exactly how things move.
I default to Motion for product and marketing UI because it ships polished results fast, and reach for React Spring only when a project needs bespoke spring behaviour. Start with Motion unless you have a specific reason not to.
Common questions
Motion vs React Spring, answered
For most UI animation, Motion (Framer Motion) is easier and faster, with built-in gestures and layout transitions and a huge community. React Spring is better when you want fine-grained, physics-based control. Both are excellent.
More comparisons