react-loadable vs SVGR
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 React helper that loads components on demand using promises, to shrink your initial bundle.
Open source · MIT
Converts SVG icon files into React components you can import and use in code.
The short answer
Choose react-loadable if you need…
- React developers whose main JavaScript bundle has grown large
- Apps that use Webpack and want component-level code splitting
- Teams who want to lazy-load modals, tabs, or heavy widgets that many users never open
- Projects that need server-side rendering with code splitting
Choose SVGR if you need…
- React developers who import SVG icons or logos into components
- Teams with a shared icon set that needs consistent React components
- Projects using Webpack or Node.js build setups that want automatic SVG conversion
Side-by-side
| react-loadable | SVGR | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Library | Library |
| Price | Free and open source | Free and open source |
| Licence | MIT | MIT |
| GitHub stars | 16.5k | 11.1k |
| Setup difficulty | Intermediate | Beginner |
| How you get it | Install with a package manager | Install with a package manager |
| Main language | JavaScript | TypeScript |
| Last code update | 2 years ago | 8 months ago |
What each one is
react-loadable
React Loadable is a small higher-order component: a function that wraps another component so it is loaded only when it is needed. You give it a loader that uses dynamic import(), plus a loading component to show while the code arrives. The README says it is used to split a large app bundle into smaller pieces so the page loads faster.
SVGR
SVGR takes an SVG image file and turns it into a React component, so the icon can be used like any other part of a React interface. It provides a command-line tool, a Webpack loader, and a Node.js API, and it can be tried in an online playground. Developers use it to avoid hand-converting SVG markup into JSX.
Best for
react-loadable
- React developers whose main JavaScript bundle has grown large
- Apps that use Webpack and want component-level code splitting
- Teams who want to lazy-load modals, tabs, or heavy widgets that many users never open
- Projects that need server-side rendering with code splitting
SVGR
- React developers who import SVG icons or logos into components
- Teams with a shared icon set that needs consistent React components
- Projects using Webpack or Node.js build setups that want automatic SVG conversion
Strengths
react-loadable
- Small API: one Loadable call with a loader and a loading component
- The README shows example bundle size reductions reported by users, though these are anecdotal
- Handles loading states without writing the import and state logic by hand
SVGR
- Produces ready-to-use React components from a raw SVG file
- Offers several ways to run it: command line, Webpack loader, and Node.js API
- Has a browser playground and documentation at react-svgr.com
Not ideal for
react-loadable
- Projects not using React, since the library is built around React components
- Projects not using a bundler that supports dynamic import(), such as Webpack 2+, because the README ties automatic splitting to it
- Developers looking for an actively maintained option, since the README does not state a current maintenance status and the last push date is 2024-07-10
SVGR
- Projects that do not use React, since the output is React-specific
- People who only need a static SVG file displayed on a plain web page
- Users who need to edit SVG artwork itself; SVGR only converts the file format
Trade-offs
react-loadable
- The README notes the library is also meant to help with server-side rendering, but it gives little detail on setup for that
- The README's loading-component section is incomplete and the example is cut off, so some guidance is unclear
- Newer React features such as lazy and Suspense are not discussed in the README, so readers should check whether they fit their project
SVGR
- The README is short and points to external docs for most setup detail
- Output depends on the SVG and options used, so the example may need review for complex files
- Command-line and build setup require Node.js familiarity
Getting started
react-loadable
Install the package
yarn add react-loadableSVGR
Run the command-line tool without installing it
npx @svgr/cli --icon --replace-attr-values "#063855=currentColor" -- icon.svgFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between react-loadable and SVGR?
react-loadable: A React helper that loads components on demand using promises, to shrink your initial bundle. SVGR: Converts SVG icon files into React components you can import and use in code. react-loadable suits react developers whose main javascript bundle has grown large, while SVGR suits react developers who import svg icons or logos into components.
Are react-loadable and SVGR free?
react-loadable: Free and open source. SVGR: Free and open source.
Which is easier to set up, react-loadable or SVGR?
SVGR is easier to get started with (rated beginner); react-loadable is rated intermediate and usually needs more setup.
Is react-loadable or SVGR more popular?
react-loadable has more GitHub stars (16.5k) than SVGR (11.1k). Popularity isn't the same as fit — check which one matches your use case above.
What are other alternatives to react-loadable and SVGR?
Other options people compare them with include Emotion, react-i18next, react-content-loader, TanStack Query, templ.
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.