Jotai vs MobX
Which should you use? A side-by-side look at what each one does, who it suits, what it costs, how hard it is to set up, and where each falls short.
Open source · MIT
A small React state library where you manage state as independent 'atoms'.
Open source · MIT
A JavaScript library that tracks state changes automatically and updates the parts of your UI that depend on t
The short answer
Choose Jotai if you need…
- React developers who want simple shared state without heavy setup
- Teams that find a single large store too rigid and want state split into small pieces
- TypeScript projects that want typed state
- Apps that need derived values or async data fetched from state
Choose MobX if you need…
- Frontend developers building React apps with complex or frequently changing state
- Teams who want state logic kept outside UI components so it is easier to test
- Developers who prefer plain JavaScript assignment over action-dispatch boilerplate
- TypeScript projects that want typed reactive state
Side-by-side
| Jotai | MobX | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Library | Library |
| Price | Free and open source | Free and open source |
| Licence | MIT | MIT |
| GitHub stars | 21.3k | 28.2k |
| Setup difficulty | Beginner | Intermediate |
| How you get it | Install with a package manager | Install with a package manager |
| Main language | TypeScript | TypeScript |
| Last code update | 14 days ago | 5 days ago |
What each one is
Jotai
Jotai is a state management library for React apps. You store pieces of state as small units called atoms, and components read and update them much like React's useState. Atoms can also be derived from other atoms, so values stay in sync automatically. The README says the core API is about 2kb and that it scales from simple use to larger TypeScript applications.
MobX
MobX is a JavaScript and TypeScript library for managing application state. You mark data as observable, and it automatically records which parts of your code read that data, so only the dependent computations or UI components re-run when a value changes. The README says it is used with React through the mobx-react-lite package and that it is not tied to any UI framework.
Best for
Jotai
- React developers who want simple shared state without heavy setup
- Teams that find a single large store too rigid and want state split into small pieces
- TypeScript projects that want typed state
- Apps that need derived values or async data fetched from state
MobX
- Frontend developers building React apps with complex or frequently changing state
- Teams who want state logic kept outside UI components so it is easier to test
- Developers who prefer plain JavaScript assignment over action-dispatch boilerplate
- TypeScript projects that want typed reactive state
Strengths
Jotai
- Minimal core API, which the README describes as about 2kb
- Works like React's useState, so the learning curve is small for basic use
- Derived and async atoms let state logic live alongside the data
MobX
- Updates are tracked automatically at runtime, so developers do not write manual memoization or selectors according to the README
- State can be changed with normal JavaScript assignment
- Independent of any UI framework, which makes state code portable and testable
Not ideal for
Jotai
- Non-React projects, since the README only shows React usage
- People who are new to programming, since concepts like derived and async atoms take some learning
- Teams that prefer a single central store with strict conventions, since Jotai favors small independent atoms
MobX
- Beginners who want a minimal first project, since the reactivity model takes time to learn
- Projects with very simple state that a plain useState hook or a few variables already handle
- Teams that want a framework-specific, opinionated structure, because the README describes MobX as unopinionated
Trade-offs
Jotai
- The README's async examples note that they need React Suspense, which adds setup considerations
- Atom-based design differs from single-store libraries, so existing patterns may need rethinking
- The README is truncated here, so advanced features and their limits are not covered in this entry
MobX
- The automatic tracking model is a concept new users must learn before it feels natural
- The README excerpt is truncated, so details on advanced APIs and edge cases are not verified here
- Its value depends on how much state complexity the project has; simple apps may not need it
Getting started
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Jotai and MobX?
Jotai: A small React state library where you manage state as independent 'atoms'. MobX: A JavaScript library that tracks state changes automatically and updates the parts of your UI that depend on t. Jotai suits react developers who want simple shared state without heavy setup, while MobX suits frontend developers building react apps with complex or frequently changing state.
Are Jotai and MobX free?
Jotai: Free and open source. MobX: Free and open source.
Which is easier to set up, Jotai or MobX?
Jotai is easier to get started with (rated beginner); MobX is rated intermediate and usually needs more setup.
Is Jotai or MobX more popular?
MobX has more GitHub stars (28.2k) than Jotai (21.3k). Popularity isn't the same as fit — check which one matches your use case above.
What are other alternatives to Jotai and MobX?
Other options people compare them with include Zustand, Redux Toolkit, Valtio, XState, Redux.
Keep comparing
Built from our catalogue entries for both products: open-source details come from each project's README (AI-assisted, refreshed weekly) and GitHub data; AI-tool details are editorial. Spotted something wrong? Let us know from either product's page.