redux-saga vs Redux Thunk
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 Redux middleware that manages side effects like data fetching using generator functions.
Open source · MIT
Redux middleware that lets action creators return functions for delayed or async logic.
The short answer
Choose redux-saga if you need…
- React or other frontend developers already using Redux who need to manage async logic
- Teams that want asynchronous flows that are easy to test
- Apps where side effects need cancellation, such as cancelling a pending fetch when a new one starts
- Developers who have found redux-thunk callbacks hard to organize
Choose Redux Thunk if you need…
- Developers building apps with Redux who need async logic such as API calls
- Teams that want conditional or delayed dispatches without a larger side-effect library
- Projects using Redux Toolkit, where the middleware is already included
Side-by-side
| redux-saga | Redux Thunk | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Library | Library |
| Price | Free and open source | Free and open source |
| Licence | MIT | MIT |
| GitHub stars | 22.4k | 17.7k |
| Setup difficulty | Intermediate | Intermediate |
| How you get it | Install with a package manager | Install with a package manager |
| Main language | JavaScript | TypeScript |
| Last code update | 12 days ago | 20 months ago |
What each one is
redux-saga
redux-saga is a library for Redux apps that handles side effects, such as fetching data from a server or reading from the browser cache. It runs as Redux middleware, so background tasks ('sagas') can be started, paused, or cancelled by normal Redux actions, and can read state or dispatch actions. It uses JavaScript generator functions so asynchronous code reads like ordinary step-by-step code.
Redux Thunk
Redux Thunk is middleware for Redux, a state management library for JavaScript apps. It lets you write functions that can read the store's state and dispatch actions, which is useful for delayed updates, conditional updates, and simple async work like API requests. The official Redux Toolkit package includes it by default.
Best for
redux-saga
- React or other frontend developers already using Redux who need to manage async logic
- Teams that want asynchronous flows that are easy to test
- Apps where side effects need cancellation, such as cancelling a pending fetch when a new one starts
- Developers who have found redux-thunk callbacks hard to organize
Redux Thunk
- Developers building apps with Redux who need async logic such as API calls
- Teams that want conditional or delayed dispatches without a larger side-effect library
- Projects using Redux Toolkit, where the middleware is already included
Strengths
redux-saga
- Asynchronous flows are written as readable, synchronous-looking code using generators
- Sagas can be cancelled and tested, according to the README
- Keeps action creators and reducers free of side effect logic
Redux Thunk
- Small, focused package that does one job
- Official Redux Toolkit integration adds it by default
- Supports injecting custom arguments for testing and dependency swapping
Not ideal for
redux-saga
- Apps that do not use Redux, since the library is built as Redux middleware
- Developers who want to avoid learning generator functions, which the README says the project chose over async/await
- Simple apps with only a few API calls, where a lighter approach may be enough
Redux Thunk
- People not using Redux, since this only works as Redux middleware
- Projects needing complex async flows like cancellation or event streams, where the README points to comparing other async middleware such as sagas or observables
Trade-offs
redux-saga
- Requires understanding generator functions and the saga concepts, which have a learning curve
- The README describes a specific design choice (generators over async/await) that some developers may not prefer
- README is truncated, so detailed API behavior must be checked in the external documentation
Redux Thunk
- Only handles basic side-effect logic; the README recommends comparing other async middleware for complex needs
- Requires Redux to be set up with middleware, so it adds a concept new users must learn
Getting started
redux-saga
Install with npm
npm install redux-sagaInstall with yarn
yarn add redux-sagaRedux Thunk
Install with npm
npm install redux-thunkInstall with yarn
yarn add redux-thunkFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between redux-saga and Redux Thunk?
redux-saga: A Redux middleware that manages side effects like data fetching using generator functions. Redux Thunk: Redux middleware that lets action creators return functions for delayed or async logic. redux-saga suits react or other frontend developers already using redux who need to manage async logic, while Redux Thunk suits developers building apps with redux who need async logic such as api calls.
Are redux-saga and Redux Thunk free?
redux-saga: Free and open source. Redux Thunk: Free and open source.
Is redux-saga or Redux Thunk more popular?
redux-saga has more GitHub stars (22.4k) than Redux Thunk (17.7k). Popularity isn't the same as fit — check which one matches your use case above.
What are other alternatives to redux-saga and Redux Thunk?
Other options people compare them with include dva.
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.