Redux DevTools vs Redux DevTools
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 and standalone debugging tools for watching Redux state changes over time.
Open source · MIT
Browser extension that lets you inspect and time-travel through Redux state changes.
The short answer
Choose Redux DevTools if you need…
- Developers building React or other apps that use Redux
- Teams who want to inspect state changes while debugging
- Developers who want to embed a state inspector inside their own app
- People working with apps that use other state-change architectures that the README says are supported via integrations
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
Side-by-side
| Redux DevTools | Redux DevTools | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Dev tool | Dev tool |
| Price | Free and open source | Free and open source |
| Licence | MIT | MIT |
| GitHub stars | 14.4k | 13.4k |
| Setup difficulty | Intermediate | Beginner |
| How you get it | Clone and build from source | Install the browser extension |
| Main language | TypeScript | JavaScript |
| Last code update | 5 days ago | 3 years ago |
What each one is
Redux DevTools
Redux DevTools is a set of debugging tools for apps that manage state with Redux or similar architectures. It is available as a browser extension for Chrome, Edge and Firefox, as a standalone app, and as a React component you can embed in your own app. The README describes features such as hot reloading, action replay and a customizable UI.
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.
Best for
Redux DevTools
- Developers building React or other apps that use Redux
- Teams who want to inspect state changes while debugging
- Developers who want to embed a state inspector inside their own app
- People working with apps that use other state-change architectures that the README says are supported via integrations
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
Strengths
Redux DevTools
- Available in several forms: browser extension, standalone app and React component
- Free and open source under the MIT license
- Actively maintained, with a recent push and a large community of stars
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
Not ideal for
Redux DevTools
- People who do not write code or use Redux, since the tools target developers
- Projects that do not manage application state with Redux or a compatible architecture
- Users who need a production monitoring product, as the README frames this as a development workflow aid
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
Trade-offs
Redux DevTools
- The README is truncated and gives few concrete setup details, so setup depends on linked docs
- It is a monorepo that requires pnpm and a build step for contributors, which adds complexity
- Some features are described only at a high level in the excerpt provided
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
Getting started
Redux DevTools
Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/reduxjs/redux-devtoolsInstall dependencies (monorepo, per README)
pnpm installRedux DevTools
Build the Chrome extension from source
npm i && npm run build:extensionBuild the Firefox extension from source
npm i && npm run build:firefoxFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between Redux DevTools and Redux DevTools?
Redux DevTools: Browser and standalone debugging tools for watching Redux state changes over time. Redux DevTools: Browser extension that lets you inspect and time-travel through Redux state changes. Redux DevTools suits developers building react or other apps that use redux, while Redux DevTools suits javascript developers debugging redux state in a web app.
Are Redux DevTools and Redux DevTools free?
Redux DevTools: Free and open source. Redux DevTools: Free and open source.
Which is easier to set up, Redux DevTools or Redux DevTools?
Redux DevTools is easier to get started with (rated beginner); Redux DevTools is rated intermediate and usually needs more setup.
Is Redux DevTools or Redux DevTools more popular?
Redux DevTools has more GitHub stars (14.4k) than Redux DevTools (13.4k). Popularity isn't the same as fit — check which one matches your use case above.
What are other alternatives to Redux DevTools and Redux DevTools?
Other options people compare them with include Reactotron, Redux Toolkit, Reactide.
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.