React SVG Libraries Compared — SVGR, react-icons, and More
Compare the best ways to use SVG in React — SVGR, react-icons, react-inlinesvg, and Heroicons — for icons, components, and dynamic SVG.
Top React SVG Solutions
SVGR transforms SVG files into React components at build time (used by Create React App, Next.js, Vite). react-icons bundles popular icon sets (Font Awesome, Material, Heroicons) as React components. react-inlinesvg loads external SVG files inline at runtime. Heroicons ships hand-crafted SVG icons as React components.
- SVGR: build-time SVG → React component transformation
- react-icons: popular icon sets as ready React components
- react-inlinesvg: runtime loading of external SVG files
Which React SVG Approach to Use
For your own SVG assets, SVGR turns them into typed, prop-accepting components — the best approach for custom icons and illustrations. For standard icon sets, react-icons or Heroicons save time. For dynamically-loaded SVG (user uploads, CMS content), react-inlinesvg fetches and inlines at runtime.
- Custom SVG assets: SVGR (build-time components)
- Standard icon sets: react-icons or Heroicons
- Dynamic/runtime SVG: react-inlinesvg
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to use SVG icons in React?
For your own icons, SVGR (transform SVG files into React components) gives typed, styleable, prop-accepting components. For standard icon libraries, react-icons or Heroicons provide ready-made components. SVGR is built into Next.js, CRA, and Vite setups, making it the most common production approach.
How do I import an SVG as a component in React?
With SVGR (built into Next.js/Vite/CRA): `import { ReactComponent as Icon } from './icon.svg'` (CRA) or `import Icon from './icon.svg?react'` (Vite). Then use `<Icon className='w-6 h-6' />`. The SVG becomes a component accepting props like className, fill, and onClick.
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