The Magic of Animation: React Animated vs. React Reanimated

Animation, with its ability to infuse vitality into user interfaces, contributes significantly to their appeal and charm. As we delve into the realm of animating components within React Native, it becomes evident that two prominent libraries, namely React Animated and React Reanimated, emerge as noteworthy options. In the course of this article, we will thoroughly examine the distinctions between these two animation libraries, and we’ll do so by leveraging practical examples, which will serve as valuable guides to assist you in making an informed decision regarding the most suitable choice for your project.

React Animated

React Animated, in its simplicity and straightforwardness, is an animation library inherently integrated into React Native. Within its arsenal, it offers a collection of declarative animation components and utilities, rendering the process of crafting animations remarkably straightforward, all underpinned by the robust Animated API

Example: Fade-In Animation with React Animated

Here’s an example of how to create a fade-in animation using React Animated:

import React, { Component } from 'react';
import { View, Animated, Easing } from 'react-native';

class FadeInAnimation extends Component {
  constructor() {
    super();
    this.fadeValue = new Animated.Value(0);
  }

  componentDidMount() {
    Animated.timing(this.fadeValue, {
      toValue: 1,
      duration: 1000,
      easing: Easing.linear,
      useNativeDriver: true, // Required for performance
    }).start();
  }

  render() {
    return (
      <Animated.View
        style={{
          opacity: this.fadeValue,
        }}
      >
        {this.props.children}
      </Animated.View>
    );
  }
}

export default FadeInAnimation;

In this example, we create a simple fade-in animation using the Animated.timing method. The opacity of the component gradually increases from 0 to 1, resulting in a fade-in effect.

React Reanimated

React Reanimated, being an advanced animation library tailored for React Native, operates at a higher level of sophistication. It is constructed atop the Animated API, however, what sets it apart is its capacity to offer a heightened level of control alongside performance enhancements. One of the standout features of React Reanimated is its knack for effortlessly shifting animations onto the native thread, a capability that culminates in animations that are notably smoother and markedly more performant.

Example: Bouncing Ball Animation with React Reanimated

Here’s an example of how to create a bouncing ball animation using React Reanimated:

import React from 'react';
import { View } from 'react-native';
import Animated, {
  Easing,
  withSpring,
  useSharedValue,
  useAnimatedStyle,
  withRepeat,
  withSequence,
} from 'react-native-reanimated';

const BouncingBall = () => {
  const translateY = useSharedValue(0);

  translateY.value = withRepeat(
    withSequence(
      withSpring(-200, { damping: 2, stiffness: 80 }),
      withSpring(0, { damping: 2, stiffness: 80 })
    ),
    -1,
    false
  );

  const animatedStyle = useAnimatedStyle(() => {
    return {
      transform: [{ translateY: translateY.value }],
    };
  });

  return (
    <View style={{ flex: 1, justifyContent: 'center', alignItems: 'center' }}>
      <Animated.View
        style={[
          {
            width: 100,
            height: 100,
            backgroundColor: 'blue',
            borderRadius: 50,
          },
          animatedStyle,
        ]}
      />
    </View>
  );
};

export default BouncingBall;

In this React Reanimated example, we create a bouncing ball animation using the useSharedValue and useAnimatedStyle hooks. The ball moves up and down with a spring-like animation.

Key Differences

Now that we’ve seen examples of both libraries, let’s highlight the key differences between React Animated and React Reanimated:

1. Performance: React Reanimated is known for its superior performance, especially for complex and interactive animations, thanks to its native-thread offloading.
2. Control: React Reanimated provides more granular control over animations, allowing you to create intricate animations with ease.
3. Ecosystem: React Animated is part of the default React Native ecosystem, while React Reanimated is an external library. You need to install and link React Reanimated separately.
4. Complexity: React Reanimated may have a steeper learning curve due to its advanced features, while React Animated is more straightforward and suitable for basic animations.

Choosing the Right Library

The choice between React Animated and React Reanimated hinges upon the particular demands of your project. If your requirements lean toward straightforward animations and you prefer to remain within the confines of the default React Native ecosystem, then React Animated presents itself as a robust option. Conversely, if your project demands top-notch performance or necessitates finer-grained control over animations, then the path to take invariably leads to React Reanimated.

Conclusion:

In summary, animation plays an indispensable role in contemporary mobile app design. Both React Animated and React Reanimated serve as formidable resources for attaining remarkable animations within React Native. Therefore, it’s imperative to carefully choose the one that seamlessly aligns with your project’s unique requirements, complexity level, and performance benchmarks. By making the right selection, you can breathe life into your app’s user interface with awe-inspiring animations.