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Qwik vs Preact

Qwik logo

Qwik

Web Development

Framework for edge computing with instant interactivity and minimal JavaScript

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Preact logo

Preact

Web Development

3kB alternative to React with the same modern API

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Qwik different mental model than React requires learning new patterns; Preact compatibility through preact/compat is good but not total, and some React libraries break in ways that are hard to diagnose
  • They diverge on capability: Qwik covers Resumability, Preact covers 3kB runtime.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Qwik and Preact actually diverge.

Attributes where Qwik and Preact differ
AttributeQwikPreact
Pricing modelopen-sourceOpen source, no licence fee
PlatformsWeb, EdgeWeb

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Web Development).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Qwik

  • Resumability
  • Minimal JavaScript
  • Lazy JavaScript execution
  • Edge deployment support
  • Qwik Optimizer
  • Vite integration
  • JSX support

Only in Preact

  • 3kB runtime
  • preact/compat
  • Same modern API
  • Fast rendering

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Qwik

  • Building ultra-fast web applications with instant page loadsnot Preact
  • Edge-computing-first applications requiring minimal JavaScriptnot Preact
  • Performance-critical applications targeting mobile usersnot Preact
  • Projects requiring sub-second Time to Interactive on slow networksnot Preact

Preact

  • Embedded widgets that load inside someone else’s page and must stay smallnot Qwik
  • Marketing and content sites where JavaScript payload affects Core Web Vitalsnot Qwik
  • Applications targeting low-bandwidth or low-powered devicesnot Qwik

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Qwik

  • Different mental model than React requires learning new patterns
  • Smaller ecosystem and community compared to established frameworks
  • Limited third-party component library support
  • Fewer examples and tutorials in documentation

Preact

  • Compatibility through preact/compat is good but not total, and some React libraries break in ways that are hard to diagnose
  • Behavioural differences from React exist in edge cases, particularly around event handling
  • A much smaller community, so unusual problems have fewer existing answers than React

Pricing, plan by plan

Qwik

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Qwik review.

Preact

Free
  • PreactFree
    • Full library
    • Commercial use permitted
    • No usage limits

Which should you pick?

Choose Qwik if

  • You need resumability.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Edge.
  • You also want minimal javascript.
Qwik review

Choose Preact if

  • You need 3kb runtime.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want preact/compat.
Preact review

Questions people ask

Is Qwik or Preact better?
Neither clearly leads. Qwik starts at Free and Preact at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Qwik or Preact?
Qwik starts at Free and Preact at Free.
Does Qwik or Preact run on more platforms?
Qwik runs on Web, Edge. Preact runs on Web.
Can I use Qwik for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Qwik best used for?
Qwik is most often used for building ultra-fast web applications with instant page loads, edge-computing-first applications requiring minimal javascript, performance-critical applications targeting mobile users, projects requiring sub-second time to interactive on slow networks. Of those, building ultra-fast web applications with instant page loads and edge-computing-first applications requiring minimal javascript are not what Preact is typically brought in for.
What can Qwik do that Preact cannot?
Qwik covers Resumability, Minimal JavaScript, Lazy JavaScript execution, Edge deployment support. Preact covers 3kB runtime, preact/compat, Same modern API, Fast rendering.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Qwik: How does Qwik achieve instant interactivity without hydration?

Qwik uses resumability, serializing application state and component tree, then deserializing directly into memory without re-executing component code.

Source
Preact: Is Preact free?

Yes, open source under the MIT licence.

Qwik: What is the typical JavaScript bundle size for a Qwik application?

Qwik applications boot with approximately 1kb of JavaScript regardless of complexity, with additional code loaded on-demand.

Source
Preact: Can I use React libraries with Preact?

Most, through the preact/compat layer. Compatibility is good but not complete, so libraries relying on React internals can break.

Qwik: Can Qwik be deployed to edge computing platforms?

Yes, Qwik supports deployment to Cloudflare Workers, Netlify Edge, Vercel Edge, AWS Lambda, and many other edge platforms.

Source
Preact: Why choose Preact over React?

Bundle size, almost always. If payload is not a binding constraint, React’s ecosystem is usually the better trade.

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