When developing web projects using React or Next.js, one of the key decisions developers face is how to manage application state. This decision significantly impacts the simplicity, scalability, and performance of the app. But the question is: do you really need a state management library for every project?
With React 19 and the recent improvements in Context API, it’s now possible to manage shared state efficiently in many small to medium-sized projects without the need for external libraries like Zustand, Jotai, or Redux Toolkit.
For example, simple projects such as:
A To-Do List
A multi-step form (like registration or checkout)
A personal or company website with static content
A lightweight admin panel for displaying basic stats
These can all be built smoothly using just Context API, without the overhead of installing and wiring up a third-party state manager.
However, as your application grows more complex—say you're building:
An e-commerce platform with live cart updates and filtering
A real-time dashboard with multiple dependent modules
A large-scale admin system with dynamic permissions and user roles
In those cases, using a dedicated state management library can make your codebase more maintainable and scalable. Libraries like Zustand, Jotai, Recoil, or Redux Toolkit offer better structure, fine-grained reactivity, and sometimes even performance gains through selective rendering or custom middleware.
It’s important to emphasize: don’t choose a state library just because it's trending. Many developers add Redux or Zustand to their stack even when their app doesn’t really need it, resulting in unnecessary complexity and reduced performance.
If you're unsure whether your project should rely on Context API or an external library, I’d be happy to help you evaluate the best fit.
I'm a developer who can help you design and build modern, fast, and scalable React and Next.js websites using the right state management tool—whether it’s Context API, Zustand, Jotai, Recoil, or Redux Toolkit.
For building your React or Next.js websites, dashboards, or applications using Context API or a professional state management library, feel free to contact me and get a free consultation for your project.
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