Is Zustand better than Redux?

For most applications, Zustand is considered better than Redux because it requires significantly less boilerplate code, has a smaller bundle size (1.1kB vs Redux Toolkit), and offers a simpler API without needing to wrap your app in providers.

Can I replace Redux with Zustand?

Yes, you can easily replace Redux with Zustand. Zustand supports Redux DevTools and can even work alongside Redux during a migration period.

Zustand vs Redux in 2026: Why Developers Are Switching

A comprehensive comparison of boilerplate, performance, and developer experience.

At a Glance

Feature	Zustand	Redux Toolkit
Bundle Size	~1.1kB (Minified + Gzipped)	~10kB+ (RTK + React-Redux)
Boilerplate	Minimal (Create & Use)	High (Slices, Reducers, Providers)
Context Provider	Not Required	Required
State Model	Flux-like (Simplified)	Flux (Strict)
Learning Curve	Low	Medium/High

Code Comparison

Let's implement a simple counter with increment and decrement functionality.

ZustandSimple

import { create } from 'zustand'

// 1. Create Store
const useStore = create((set) => ({
  count: 0,
  inc: () => set((state) => ({ count: state.count + 1 })),
  dec: () => set((state) => ({ count: state.count - 1 })),
}))

// 2. Use Hook
function Counter() {
  const { count, inc, dec } = useStore()
  return (
    <div>
      <span>{count}</span>
      <button onClick={inc}>+</button>
      <button onClick={dec}>-</button>
    </div>
  )
}

Redux ToolkitVerbose

import { createSlice, configureStore } from '@reduxjs/toolkit'
import { useDispatch, useSelector, Provider } from 'react-redux'

// 1. Create Slice
const counterSlice = createSlice({
  name: 'counter',
  initialState: { value: 0 },
  reducers: {
    inc: state => { state.value += 1 },
    dec: state => { state.value -= 1 }
  }
})

// 2. Configure Store
const store = configureStore({
  reducer: { counter: counterSlice.reducer }
})

// 3. Wrap App
// <Provider store={store}><App /></Provider>

// 4. Use Hook
function Counter() {
  const count = useSelector(state => state.counter.value)
  const dispatch = useDispatch()
  return (
    <div>
      <span>{count}</span>
      <button onClick={() => dispatch(counterSlice.actions.inc())}>+</button>
      <button onClick={() => dispatch(counterSlice.actions.dec())}>-</button>
    </div>
  )
}

Performance & Re-renders

Zustand solves the "zombie child" problem and unnecessary re-renders out of the box. By using selectors, components only re-render when the specific slice of state they are listening to changes.

"Zustand is significantly faster because it doesn't wrap your application in a Context Provider, avoiding the Context API's re-render propagation issues."

Conclusion: When to Switch?

Choose Zustand if: You want a simple, fast, and unopinionated solution. You prefer hooks over providers. You want to reduce boilerplate.
Stick with Redux if: You have a massive enterprise codebase already heavily invested in the Redux ecosystem, or you strictly need the Flux architecture enforced by Redux.