React Query vs Axios

React Query and Axios are both popular tools in modern web development, serving distinct but occasionally overlapping purposes in managing data and API interactions in React applications. This guide covers their differences.

Introduction to React Query and Axios

React Query is a library for fetching, caching, and updating data in React applications, emphasizing automatic data synchronization. Axios, on the other hand, is a promise-based HTTP client for making HTTP requests to fetch or save data.

Key features of React Query

Automatic caching and synchronization

React Query automatically caches data and synchronizes it with the UI, reducing the need for manual state management.

Data fetching and mutations

It provides easy-to-use hooks like useQuery and useMutation for data fetching and updating operations.

Built-in devtools

React Query includes devtools for inspecting and debugging query states and cache.

import { useQuery } from 'react-query';

const fetchPosts = async () => {
  const response = await fetch('/api/posts');
  return response.json();
};

function Posts() {
  const { data, isLoading } = useQuery('posts', fetchPosts);
  // ...
}

Key Features of Axios

Promise-based HTTP client

Axios facilitates making HTTP requests to external resources, returning promises that resolve to the response.

Interceptors

Axios allows you to intercept request and response to modify or log them, which is useful for tasks like adding auth tokens.

Wide browser support

Axios supports older browsers and follows the XMLHttpRequests standards.

import axios from 'axios';

const getPosts = async () => {
  try {
    const response = await axios.get('/api/posts');
    return response.data;
  } catch (error) {
    console.error(error);
  }
};

// Usage in a component

Comparing React Query and Axios

How their use cases are different

• React Query is more suited for managing server state, including caching, background updates, and data synchronization.
• Axios is focused on making HTTP requests and handling responses, without built-in state management features.

Integration

• React Query can be used alongside Axios. Axios can handle the HTTP requests, while React Query manages the data and state aspects.

Performance and optimization

• React Query offers more out-of-the-box with performance optimizations like query deduplication and caching.
• Axios provides a lightweight solution for fetching data without additional features like caching or state management.

When to use React Query vs Axios

Use React Query when:

• You need robust data synchronization with your UI.
• Caching and automatic refetching are important for your application.
• You want to minimize the need for manual state management.

Use Axios when:

• You need a simple and effective way to make HTTP requests.
• Your application requires fine control over request and response handling.
• You're dealing with a project that requires wide browser compatibility.

How to use Axios and React Query together

For optimal results, you can use Axios for making HTTP requests and React Query for managing the server state and UI synchronization. This combination leverages the strengths of both libraries.

// Using Axios inside a React Query fetcher function
const fetchPosts = async () => {
  const response = await axios.get('/api/posts');
  return response.data;
};

useQuery('posts', fetchPosts);

Conclusion

React Query and Axios serve different but complementary roles in a React application. Choosing between them—or using them in tandem—depends on the specific requirements of your project, particularly in terms of data management and API interactions.