Bring your own React component
Reflex lets you wrap existing React components, including packages from npm, exposing their props and events to your Python application. You do not have to rebuild everything from Reflex's built-in library.
A Python frontend framework. Write zero JavaScript, ship real React.
React is the default choice for a modern, interactive frontend, and it also means learning JavaScript or TypeScript, JSX, a build toolchain, and a separate state management story from your backend. Reflex is a Python frontend framework: author the same kind of interface in Python, and Reflex compiles it to a real React application. You do not need to learn JavaScript to ship one.
TL;DR
Reflex is a Python alternative to hand-coding a React application.
- React is a JavaScript library, not a full framework. Building with it means learning JavaScript or TypeScript, JSX, and a separate frontend build toolchain.
- Reflex is a Python frontend framework: you do not need to learn JavaScript to ship a real React application, and Reflex still compiles your interface to actual React components.
- Author your frontend and backend in one language instead of switching between Python and JavaScript. Reflex manages the generated frontend toolchain.
- Typical apps can be built entirely in Python with Reflex, though wrapping specialized third-party React components can still require it.
- You can still wrap existing React components, including those distributed on npm, from Python when you need one Reflex doesn't already provide.
Reflex vs React: the details
See how each approaches the language, components, state, and deployment.
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| Decision | React | Reflex |
|---|---|---|
| Language | JavaScript or TypeScript, plus JSX. | Python. Reflex compiles your interface to React components automatically. |
| Components | Build or install components from npm. Manage a separate package.json and build toolchain. | Built-in components styled with Python props. Wrap existing React components from npm or your own code when you need one. |
| State and backend connection | Client-side state (hooks, Context, or a library like Redux), plus a separate API layer to talk to your backend. | Python state synced to the interface automatically over WebSockets, in the same codebase as your backend. |
| Backend | Not included. Pair with Node, Django, Flask, or FastAPI. | Python backend included, in the same codebase as your frontend components and application state. |
| Deployment | With a standalone React frontend, build and deploy it alongside your chosen backend. Full-stack React frameworks offer integrated deployment options. | Deploy frontend and backend together: managed Reflex hosting, your own AWS, GCP, or Azure account, VPC, or on-prem. |
What this comparison covers
Compare hand-coding a React application against authoring the same kind of interface in Python with Reflex. Reflex still ships real React under the hood. The difference is which language you write and how many separate pieces you assemble.
Need a React component Reflex doesn't have?
Wrap it from Python instead of switching languages.
Keep specialized JavaScript where it earns its place
Some highly specialized components or integrations may still call for JavaScript or TypeScript. Reflex does not require it for the interface as a whole, and it does not forbid it for the few places it still helps.
Real React applications. Built by Python teams.
SellerX, the World Bank, and Autodesk share how they build interfaces with Reflex. These are their development experiences, not runtime benchmarks.
“With Reflex it is ten times faster than developing with React and FastApi.”
Bring your React app, or start from zero
Reuse independent logic if you have it. Start clean if you don't.
01
Identify what's reusable
Reuse independent Python backend logic and keep existing service APIs. Port JavaScript business logic where needed. Hand-written components and client-side state are typically rebuilt as Reflex components and Python state.
02
Build the application screens
Compose your pages and components in Reflex. Map hooks and client-side state to explicit Python state and event handlers.
03
Wrap what you don't want to rebuild
Wrap existing React components you want to keep, including components from npm, instead of rebuilding them with Reflex's built-in library. Check their props, events, and browser dependencies during the pilot.
04
Validate, then deploy
Test realistic data volumes and concurrent users, then deploy with Reflex or self-host.
Deploy on your terms
Use managed Reflex hosting or run the frontend and Python backend on your own infrastructure: AWS, GCP, Azure, or on premises. Configure access controls, monitoring, backups, and capacity for your application.
Explore deployment optionsFramework, Build, and hosting: what's included?
Open-source framework
The Apache 2.0 Python framework is available independently of Build and managed hosting. Your app still depends on Reflex and its other packages.
Reflex Build
The AI development product generates and edits framework-based apps. Usage, private projects, repository access, and export entitlements belong to your plan.
Hosting and App Management
Managed deployment is an operating service. You can also self-host a framework app, providing its frontend, Python backend, configuration, and maintenance.
Enterprise
Enterprise packages and services have separate entitlements. Workspace SSO is distinct from app-user authentication. Authorization, auditing, and private deployment need configuration and an agreed operating plan.
Questions about React and Reflex
The practical details, before you make a move.
Do I need to learn JavaScript to use Reflex?
No, not for the typical application. You author the interface and application logic in Python, and Reflex compiles it to React. Specialized components or integrations may still call for JavaScript or TypeScript occasionally.
Is Reflex a replacement for React itself?
Not exactly. Reflex compiles your Python-authored interface to real React components, so React is still running under the hood. Reflex replaces the need to hand-write that React code yourself, not the library.
Can I use existing React components with Reflex?
Yes. Reflex can wrap existing React components, including those distributed on npm, exposing their props and events to your Python application.
Is a hand-coded React app faster than a Reflex app at runtime?
That depends on the implementation of each. Development speed is not a runtime benchmark. SellerX reported roughly ten times faster development with Reflex than with its React and FastAPI stack. That is one customer's experience, not a guaranteed improvement or evidence of faster runtime performance.
What do I give up by not hand-coding my own React app?
Fine-grained control over every line of the generated frontend code, and direct access to the broader React ecosystem's patterns and tutorials, most of which assume you are writing JavaScript. In exchange, you write and maintain one Python codebase instead of two.
Your Python. A more capable application.
Bring a workflow you want to improve, or start a new one. Build it with Reflex.