1. Draft.js

Developed and maintained by Facebook, Draft.js provides a robust and extensible framework for building rich text editors in React. Its customizable architecture allows developers to create tailored solutions, making it suitable for various projects. While it may have a steeper learning curve, the strong community support ensures ample resources for overcoming challenges.

Draft.js pros:

• Developed and maintained by Facebook.
• Customizable and extensible architecture.
• Strong community support.

Draft.js cons:

• The steeper learning curve for beginners.

Website | Demo

2. Slate.js

Slate stands out for its high degree of customizability and flexibility, making it an excellent choice for projects with unique requirements. While its performance shines with large documents, developers might find the learning curve steep due to limited documentation. Slate also offers a set of plugins, that empower developers to extend functionality based on their needs.

Slate.js pros:

• Highly customizable and flexible.
• Excellent performance for large documents.
• Provides a set of plugins for extended functionality.

Slate.js cons:

• Limited documentation compared to other options.

Website | Demo

3. Quill Rich Text Editor

Known for its simplicity and ease of integration, Quill is a feature-rich RTE that supports various formats. With a rich set of customization options, it provides developers with the tools to tailor the editor to their project's specific needs. However, developers should be mindful of potential resource intensiveness, especially for complex documents.

Quill Rich Text Editor pros:

• Simple and easy to integrate.
• Supports a variety of formats.
• Rich set of customization options.

Quill Rich Text Editor cons:

• Can be resource-intensive for complex documents.

Website | Demo

4. CKEditor 5

CKEditor 5 boasts a modern and feature-rich design, complete with a clean and intuitive user interface. It stands out for its collaboration features, making it an excellent choice for projects requiring real-time editing. However, developers should consider the larger bundle size compared to some alternatives.

CKEditor 5 pros:

• Modern and feature-rich.
• Clean and intuitive UI.
• Excellent collaboration features.

CKEditor 5 cons:

• Larger bundle size compared to some alternatives.

Website | Demo

5. TinyMCE

As a well-established and widely used RTE, TinyMCE boasts an extensive plugin ecosystem and excellent documentation. While it offers a clean integration process, developers should note that some advanced features are behind a paywall.

TinyMCE pros:

• Well-established and widely used.
• Extensive plugin ecosystem.
• Excellent documentation.

TinyMCE cons:

• Some advanced features are behind a paywall.

Website | Demo

Tiny MCE is also a great editor for "Vue" based front-end applications and we use this specific editor quite extensively at Code B.

We've also compiled this informative article on Vue vs React JS and ranked them on several parameters in case you want to learn more.

6. Lexical

Lexical is available as a JavaScript framework for use in web browsers, as well as a Swift framework for native iOS development. Lexical is designed for everyone. It follows best practices established in WCAG and is compatible with screen readers and other assistive technologies.

Lexical pros:

• Highly customizable
• Minimally built
• Great optimization
• Has a wide range of features
• Great TypeScript support

Lexical cons:

• Poor documentation
• Doesn’t support IE11 and older versions of Edge

Website | Demo

Managing Editor State with React Context and TypeScript

When building a rich text editor, React Context with TypeScript is a powerful way to manage shared editor states across components without prop drilling.

By setting up a context provider, you can centralize the editor’s content and settings, making them easily accessible and updateable from any component.

This approach keeps your code clean and enhances state consistency.

If you’re interested in implementing this setup, here’s a quick guide on creating and using React Context with TypeScript to streamline state sharing in your project.

Integrating these rich text editors, in an ideal React-specific CMS for your React application can get a bit tricky at times, especially for complex front-end projects.

In these cases, it may make sense to work with a specialist React solution provider, like Code-B.

Feel free to schedule a non-obligatory consulting call with our team using the form below.

7. React Draft Wysiwyg

Built on top of Draft.js, React Draft Wysiwyg is a beginner-friendly option with a straightforward API. It provides theming and styling options, making it suitable for projects where customization is essential. However, developers might find its customizability limited compared to Draft.js.

React Draft Wysiwyg pros:

• Built on top of Draft.js.
• Beginner-friendly with a straightforward API.
• Theming and styling options.

React Draft Wysiwyg cons:

• Limited customizability compared to Draft.js.

Website | Demo

8. ProseMirror

ProseMirror offers a robust and efficient document model, making it ideal for collaborative editing scenarios. With a modular design, mobile apps provide flexibility for developers. However, its learning curve, particularly for beginners, maybe a consideration when choosing a lexical RTE for a project.

ProseMirror pros:

• Robust and efficient document model.
• Great for collaborative editing.
• Modular design for flexibility.

ProseMirror cons:

• Learning curve, especially for beginners.

Website | Demo

9. React Summernote

React Summernote is a lightweight lexical option with simple integration into React applications. While it may not offer an extensive set of features compared to some alternatives, its responsiveness and ease of use make it suitable for projects with specific requirements.

React Summernote pros:

• Simple and lightweight.
• Integrates well with React applications.
• Responsive design.

React Summernote cons:

• Limited features compared to some alternatives.

Website | Demo

Enhancing Editor Functionality with React Native Hooks

If you’re building a mobile editor in React Native, React Native hooks provide an efficient way to manage component states and side effects.

Hooks like useState and useEffect allow you to easily track and update editor content, user interactions, and more, creating a responsive and dynamic editing experience.

For a deeper dive into using hooks effectively, check out this guide on React Native hooks, which covers best practices for handling state and effects in your mobile projects.

10. Editor.js

Editor.js takes a unique approach with its block-based editing for structured content. Offering a clean and extensible architecture, it excels in content-heavy applications. Developers should evaluate its suitability based on the project's specific needs, as it may not be the best fit for every scenario.

Editor.js pros:

• Clean and extensible architecture.
• Blocks-based editing for structured content.
• Excellent for content-heavy applications.

Editor.js cons:

• May not be suitable for all types of projects.

Website | Demo

Conclusion

Choosing the right Lexical Rich Text Editor for your React project involves evaluating factors such as customizability, performance, and community support.

Whether you prioritize simplicity, extensibility, or specific lexical features, this guide provides a comprehensive overview.

Evaluate each option based on your project's requirements, and embark on a journey to elevate your content creation experience for users in 2023.