State Management in Next.js 14+: Comparing Redux, Zustand, and Jotai

State management remains a crucial aspect of building complex web applications, especially in modern Next.js projects (version 14 and newer). Let’s explore three popular state management libraries – Redux, Zustand, and Jotai – and compare their strengths, weaknesses, and use cases in the context of the latest Next.js applications.

Redux: The Robust Solution

Redux continues to be a powerful state management library, now with improved integration for Next.js 14+ projects.

Pros of Redux:

Predictable state updatesPowerful debugging toolsLarge ecosystem and community supportMiddleware support for side effectsOfficial Next.js integration

Cons of Redux:

Steeper learning curveMore boilerplate compared to alternativesCan be overkill for smaller applications

Example: Using Redux in Next.js 14+

First, install the necessary packages:

npm install @reduxjs/toolkit react-redux next-redux-wrapper

Create a store:

import { configureStore } from '@reduxjs/toolkit';
import counterReducer from './counterSlice';

export const makeStore = () => 
  configureStore({
    reducer: {
      counter: counterReducer,
    },
  });

export type AppStore = ReturnType<typeof makeStore>;
export type RootState = ReturnType<AppStore['getState']>;
export type AppDispatch = AppStore['dispatch'];

Create a slice:

import { createSlice, PayloadAction } from '@reduxjs/toolkit';

interface CounterState {
  value: number;
}

const initialState: CounterState = {
  value: 0,
};

export const counterSlice = createSlice({
  name: 'counter',
  initialState,
  reducers: {
    increment: (state) => {
      state.value += 1;
    },
    decrement: (state) => {
      state.value -= 1;
    },
    incrementByAmount: (state, action: PayloadAction<number>) => {
      state.value += action.payload;
    },
  },
});

export const { increment, decrement, incrementByAmount } = counterSlice.actions;
export default counterSlice.reducer;

Set up the provider:

'use client';

import { Provider } from 'react-redux';
import { makeStore } from '../store/store';

export function Providers({ children }: { children: React.ReactNode }) {
  return <Provider store={makeStore()}>{children}</Provider>;
}

Wrap your app with the Redux provider:

import { Providers } from './providers';

export default function RootLayout({ children }: { children: React.ReactNode }) {
  return (
    <html lang="en">
      <body>
        <Providers>{children}</Providers>
      </body>
    </html>
  );
}

Use Redux in a client component:

'use client';

import { useSelector, useDispatch } from 'react-redux';
import { RootState } from '../../store/store';
import { increment, decrement } from '../../store/counterSlice';

export default function Counter() {
  const count = useSelector((state: RootState) => state.counter.value);
  const dispatch = useDispatch();

  return (
    <div>
      <h1>Count: {count}</h1>
      <button onClick={() => dispatch(increment())}>Increment</button>
      <button onClick={() => dispatch(decrement())}>Decrement</button>
    </div>
  );
}

Zustand: Simplicity and Performance

Zustand remains an excellent choice for Next.js 14+ projects, offering simplicity and great performance.

Pros of Zustand:

Minimal boilerplateEasy to learn and useTypeScript support out of the boxExcellent performanceWorks well with React Server Components

Cons of Zustand:

Less ecosystem support compared to ReduxFewer built-in features for complex scenarios

Example: Using Zustand in Next.js 14+

Install Zustand:

npm install zustand

Create a store:

import { create } from 'zustand';

interface CounterState {
  count: number;
  increment: () => void;
  decrement: () => void;
}

export const useStore = create<CounterState>((set) => ({
  count: 0,
  increment: () => set((state) => ({ count: state.count + 1 })),
  decrement: () => set((state) => ({ count: state.count - 1 })),
}));

Use Zustand in a client component:

'use client';

import { useStore } from '../../store/useStore';

export default function Counter() {
  const { count, increment, decrement } = useStore();

  return (
    <div>
      <h1>Count: {count}</h1>
      <button onClick={increment}>Increment</button>
      <button onClick={decrement}>Decrement</button>
    </div>
  );
}

Jotai: Atomic State Management

Jotai’s atomic approach to state management works seamlessly with Next.js 14+ and its server components.

Pros of Jotai:

Atomic state managementMinimal boilerplateGreat for code splitting and lazy loadingExcellent TypeScript supportWorks well with React Server Components

Cons of Jotai:

Relatively new, smaller communityMay require a mental shift for developers used to traditional state management

Example: Using Jotai in Next.js 14+

Install Jotai:

npm install jotai

Create atoms:

import { atom } from 'jotai';

export const countAtom = atom(0);

Use Jotai in a client component:

'use client';

import { useAtom } from 'jotai';
import { countAtom } from '../../store/atoms';

export default function Counter() {
  const [count, setCount] = useAtom(countAtom);

  const increment = () => setCount((c) => c + 1);
  const decrement = () => setCount((c) => c - 1);

  return (
    <div>
      <h1>Count: {count}</h1>
      <button onClick={increment}>Increment</button>
      <button onClick={decrement}>Decrement</button>
    </div>
  );
}

Choosing the Right State Management Solution for Next.js 14+

When deciding between Redux, Zustand, and Jotai for your modern Next.js project, consider these factors:

Server Component compatibility: All three libraries can work with Next.js 14+ server components, but Zustand and Jotai may offer a more seamless integration.
Project size and complexity: For large, complex applications, Redux might still be the best choice. For smaller to medium-sized projects, Zustand or Jotai could be more suitable.
Learning curve: If you’re new to state management or want to get up and running quickly, Zustand or Jotai might be easier to learn and implement.
Performance: Both Zustand and Jotai offer excellent performance out of the box, while Redux may require additional optimizations for large-scale applications.
Ecosystem and community support: Redux has the largest ecosystem and community support, which can be beneficial for finding solutions to common problems.
Code splitting and lazy loading: If your application heavily relies on code splitting and lazy loading, Jotai’s atomic approach might be the most suitable.
Team familiarity: Consider your team’s experience with different state management solutions.

Conclusion

Each state management solution has its place in the Next.js 14+ ecosystem. Redux offers a robust approach with a large ecosystem. Zustand provides simplicity and performance with minimal boilerplate. Jotai introduces an atomic approach that’s great for code splitting and works well with server components.Choose the solution that best fits your project requirements, team expertise, and the specific needs of your Next.js 14+ application.