Why Redux Toolkit is preferred over Redux

Last Updated : 29 Jun, 2026

Redux is a state management library used to manage and share data across components through a centralized store using actions and reducers. Redux Toolkit (RTK) is the officially recommended way to write Redux code, providing built-in utilities and boilerplate reduction to make state management simpler, cleaner, and more efficient.

Issues with basic Redux

  • Configuring a Redux store is too complicated
  • Have to add a lot of packages to build a large-scale application
  • Redux requires too much boilerplate code which makes it cumbersome to write efficient and clean code.

Reasons to prefer Redux Toolkit

  • Simplified Logic: Leverages a modern, hook-based API to eliminate complex manual implementations.
  • Mutable-style Reducers: Uses Immer internally, allowing you to write intuitive, mutable-style code that safely handles immutable state updates.
  • Reduced Boilerplate: Significantly minimizes repetitive code, resulting in a cleaner and more maintainable codebase.
  • Built-in Data Fetching: Includes RTK Query to automate caching and request management, effectively replacing manual Thunks.
  • Optimized Tooling: Comes pre-configured with Redux DevTools and essential utilities to streamline development.

Difference between Redux and Redux Toolkit

Here are the key differences between Redux and Redux Toolkit:

Redux

Redux Toolkit (RTK)

Redux often required writing a significant amount of boilerplate code, such as action creators, reducers, and store setups.

Redux Toolkit is designed to minimize boilerplate code. It includes utilities like createSlice for reducers and configureStore for store configuration, reducing the amount of manual setup required.

Reducers are typically created using a switch statement, handling various action types explicitly.

With createSlice from the Redux Toolkit, reducers can be defined more concisely using a "slice" of the state and auto-generated action creators.

Redux requires manual immutable updates, usually done via spread operator or helper libraries

It encourages immutability by providing utility functions immer internally, allowing more straightforward state updates within reducers.

Setting up the Redux store involves configuring middleware, combining reducers, and applying additional enhancements.

configureStore From Redux Toolkit simplifies store configuration by integrating commonly used middleware and providing a more streamlined setup.

Handling asynchronous actions requires additional middleware, like redux-thunk or redux-saga.

createAsyncThunk Is included in the Redux Toolkit which simplifies the process of managing asynchronous actions within the Redux store.

It may have a steeper learning curve due to the amount of boilerplate code and manual configuration.

It is designed to improve developer experience by reducing boilerplate, making it more accessible and efficient, especially for beginners.

Comparison Between Redux and Redux Toolkit

Comparing Store and Reducers

  • Redux: Creating Store and reducers.
  • Redux Toolkit: Creating Store and reducers.
JavaScript 
// Redux
const addHandler=(state=0,action)=>{
if(action.type==='ADD')
{
    return state+1;
}
return state;
}

const store = createStore(addHandler);

store.dispatch({type:'ADD'});
JavaScript 
// Resux Toolkit
// Action Creators
const add = createAction('ADD'); 

const addHandler = createReducer(0, {  
  [add]: state => state + 1
})

const store = configureStore({
  reducer: addHandler
})

store.dispatch(add());

Comparing Redux DevTools Extension

  • React: You have to add a predefined statement while creating the store to access the Redux DevTools.
  • Redux Toolkit: It provides automatic support for Redux DevTools Extension.
JavaScript 
 // Redux
 const store = createStore(
   reducer,   window.__REDUX_DEVTOOLS_EXTENSION__ && 
              window.__REDUX_DEVTOOLS_EXTENSION__()
 );
JavaScript 
 // Reduc Toolkit
 const store = configureStore(
   reducer:rootReducer );

Comparing modification of states

  • Redux: We need to manually handle and change the state immutably.
  • Redux Toolkit: It provides the support for immer.js library which automatically changes the code immutably.
JavaScript 
// Redux
const initialState={
counter:0}

const handler=(state=initialState,action){
return{
    ...state,
    counter:state.counter+1;
    }    
}
JavaScript 
// Redux Toolkit
const initialState={
counter:0}

const handler=(state=initialState,action){
return{
    counter:state.counter+1;
    }    
}
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