Preact
Preact: Preact pairs component-based UI development with a virtual DOM and React compatibility. Ranked #18 of 28 in Front End Tools by our editors (7.8/10); pricing: Free plan; best for developers seeking a lightweight React-compatible framework.
At a glance
- Editor score7.8 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forDevelopers seeking a lightweight React-compatible framework
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Tool typeUi_framework
- Facts checked24 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Supports functional and class components, plus hooks.
- Offers both no-build browser use and a Vite-based build workflow.
- Its compatibility layer supports many React libraries and components.
Where it doesn't
- It is a developer library, not a visual site builder.
- Building production apps requires a deployment environment.
- React compatibility is described as covering many libraries, not all.
Our verdict on Preact
Preact is an open-source JavaScript library for building browser user interfaces. It is aimed at developers who want to create interfaces with components and virtual DOM rendering, rather than assemble pages in a hosted visual editor. Functional and class components are supported, along with hooks for state and side effects. That makes Preact relevant to solo developers and teams working across different organization sizes, but it still calls for coding and app deployment.
The workflow can stay lightweight or use a build pipeline. Preact supports direct browser use without a build step, and its setup options include a Vite-based starter and production build workflow. It also lists Vite, Webpack, Rollup, and Parcel among its integrations. Server-side rendering support is documented in the guide. These options give developers flexibility in how they start and build an app, while keeping the product firmly in the code-first framework category; it is not a visual front-end builder.
A compatibility layer can support many libraries and components written for React, which may help teams evaluate Preact within an existing React-oriented ecosystem. That support is not a promise of compatibility with every React library, so projects depending on specific packages should assess those dependencies before choosing it. Preact is free and open source, with the project repository identifying an MIT license. Pick it if a lightweight, component-based framework and flexible browser or build workflow fit your project; choose another approach if you need visual editing or a hosted site-building service.
Your product? Our editors can test Preact in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
Preact pricing
Preact fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Tool type | Ui_framework |
| Hosting model | Hybrid |
| Visual editor | No |
| Code export | No |
| Responsive layouts | Not verified |
| Component system | Yes |
| Deployment | Cloud, Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Web |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 5 integrations: Vite, Webpack, Rollup, Parcel, React compatibility layer |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | preactjs.com |
| Facts checked | 24 Sep 2026 |
Preact integrations
Preact lists 5 integrations on its own site.
- Vite
- Webpack
- Rollup
- Parcel
- React compatibility layer
Alternatives to Preact
- Visual Studio CodeA versatile free editor with built-in coding tools and a broad extension model.9.4
- WebStormA full-featured web IDE with debugging, testing, refactoring, and Docker tools.9.2
- Vue.jsAn open-source, component-based framework for building web interfaces with JavaScript or TypeScript.9.1
Used Preact? Be the first to review it
The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used Preact for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
Write a reviewTwo minutes · verified accounts only · read by an editor before it appears
Featured on iTechGuides
Preact is listed in our Front End Tools directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.
<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/preact/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/preact.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
Last updated · How we research and update