Redux DevTools vs Redux Toolkit
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
Browser extension that lets you inspect and time-travel through Redux state changes.
Open source · MIT
Official toolset that makes writing Redux state logic simpler and less error-prone.
The short answer
Choose Redux DevTools if you need…
- JavaScript developers debugging Redux state in a web app
- Teams who want to inspect action history while developing React or other Redux-based front ends
- Developers building Electron apps who want the extension installed via electron-devtools-installer
Choose Redux Toolkit if you need…
- Developers already using or learning Redux for app state
- Teams that want the officially recommended Redux setup
- TypeScript projects that need typed state logic
Side-by-side
| Redux DevTools | Redux Toolkit | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Dev tool | Library |
| Price | Free and open source | Free and open source |
| Licence | MIT | MIT |
| GitHub stars | 13.4k | 11.2k |
| Setup difficulty | Beginner | Intermediate |
| How you get it | Install the browser extension | Install with a package manager |
| Main language | JavaScript | TypeScript |
| Last code update | 3 years ago | 4 days ago |
What each one is
Redux DevTools
Redux DevTools Extension is a browser add-on for developers who use Redux, a state management library for JavaScript apps. Once your store is wired to it, the extension shows each action dispatched and how the state changed in response, so you can debug what your app is doing. The README also describes an npm package for wiring it into code and a separate remote option for other environments.
Redux Toolkit
Redux Toolkit is the official, opinionated set of tools for building Redux state management in JavaScript and TypeScript apps. Its description calls it batteries-included, meaning it bundles common Redux needs into one package. Developers use it to write less boilerplate code when managing shared application state.
Best for
Redux DevTools
- JavaScript developers debugging Redux state in a web app
- Teams who want to inspect action history while developing React or other Redux-based front ends
- Developers building Electron apps who want the extension installed via electron-devtools-installer
Redux Toolkit
- Developers already using or learning Redux for app state
- Teams that want the officially recommended Redux setup
- TypeScript projects that need typed state logic
Strengths
Redux DevTools
- Simple setup: a single line adds the enhancer to a basic Redux store
- Installable from Chrome Web Store and Mozilla Add-ons, with a documented build-from-source path
- Has a remote option (remote-redux-devtools) for browsers and non-browser environments the extension does not cover
Redux Toolkit
- Official project maintained alongside Redux itself
- Reduces repetitive Redux boilerplate
- Open-source under the MIT license with 11,235 stars and recent activity
Not ideal for
Redux DevTools
- People who do not use Redux, since the extension is built around Redux stores
- Anyone expecting the active project to be here: the README says development moved to github.com/reduxjs/redux-devtools, so issues and PRs belong there
- Teams that must avoid shipping debug tooling to production without extra setup, since the README advises restricting it with the logOnlyInProduction import
Redux Toolkit
- Projects with very simple state needs, where Redux itself may be more machinery than required
- Non-developers, since it is a code library rather than an end-user tool
- Anyone needing details the README does not cover, since the provided README text was truncated and empty
Trade-offs
Redux DevTools
- The README says this repository is no longer the home of the project, so it may not receive new development here
- Wiring it up requires editing your store code, and the README notes ESLint and TypeScript adjustments may be needed
- Using it in production needs extra configuration, such as setting NODE_ENV in your bundler
Redux Toolkit
- The README text provided was truncated, so detailed features could not be verified here
- Adds a dependency on Redux concepts that new developers must learn first
- Best value depends on whether an app actually needs global state management
Getting started
Redux DevTools
Build the Chrome extension from source
npm i && npm run build:extensionBuild the Firefox extension from source
npm i && npm run build:firefoxRedux Toolkit
Install with npm
npm install @reduxjs/toolkitFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between Redux DevTools and Redux Toolkit?
Redux DevTools: Browser extension that lets you inspect and time-travel through Redux state changes. Redux Toolkit: Official toolset that makes writing Redux state logic simpler and less error-prone. Redux DevTools suits javascript developers debugging redux state in a web app, while Redux Toolkit suits developers already using or learning redux for app state.
Are Redux DevTools and Redux Toolkit free?
Redux DevTools: Free and open source. Redux Toolkit: Free and open source.
Which is easier to set up, Redux DevTools or Redux Toolkit?
Redux DevTools is easier to get started with (rated beginner); Redux Toolkit is rated intermediate and usually needs more setup.
Is Redux DevTools or Redux Toolkit more popular?
Redux DevTools has more GitHub stars (13.4k) than Redux Toolkit (11.2k). Popularity isn't the same as fit — check which one matches your use case above.
What are other alternatives to Redux DevTools and Redux Toolkit?
Other options people compare them with include Redux DevTools, Reactide, Zustand, Jotai, MobX.
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.