# The Best View Transition Libraries and Setups in 2026 > Start with the native View Transitions API and add named elements for shared components. In React, use your router's support, such as React Router's, rather than a separate library. In Astro, the built-in transitions are the least JavaScript. Next.js has its own integration that changes between versions, so check the current docs. Swup remains useful when you want client-side transitions on a server-rendered site without a framework. *We make ExodeUI, which is a design tool and runtime, not a view-transition wrapper. It appears here for animating UI within a page.* Updated November 2026. Source: https://www.exodeui.com/best-view-transition-libraries/ View transitions used to mean a JavaScript router and a lot of custom code. The browser now does the work, including cross-document transitions between separate pages. The library question has become a framework question: most wrappers exist to make the native API fit a router you already use. ## Quick picks - Cross-document transitions with no framework: **Native View Transitions API** - React apps on React Router: **React Router** - Content sites on Astro: **Astro transitions** - Next.js apps: **Next.js view transitions** - Server-rendered sites without a framework: **Swup** ## The 5 best view transition setups ### Native View Transitions API Best for: Shared-element morphs and cross-fades between pages Platforms: Modern browsers Price: Free, built into the browser Output: Transitions handled by the browser The API snapshots the old view and animates to the new one. Naming an element lets it travel between pages instead of fading. Cross-document transitions work with normal links, which means a server-rendered site can get app-like motion without becoming an app. Pros: No dependency; Works across separate documents; Shared elements move rather than cross-fade Cons: Support varies by browser and version; Limited choreography control ### React Router Best for: React apps that already navigate with React Router Platforms: React Price: Free and open source Output: Route-level transitions React Router exposes view transitions on navigation, so you do not add a second routing system to get them. You can opt in per navigation and name elements that should persist. The result depends on the browser, and the fallback is the normal instant navigation. Pros: No extra router; Per-navigation control; Works with the native API Cons: Only for React Router projects; Browser-dependent ### Astro transitions Best for: Static sites that want fast, animated navigation Platforms: Astro sites Price: Free, part of Astro Output: Page transitions with minimal client JavaScript Astro's router wires the native API into a static site, keeping the JavaScript cost low. It is the simplest path for a blog, docs site or marketing site. Complex shared-element choreography still needs custom CSS. Pros: Very little JavaScript; Simple setup; Works with content collections Cons: Astro only; Limited to native capabilities ### Next.js view transitions Best for: Next.js apps that want transitions without a third-party router Platforms: Next.js Price: Free and open source Output: Transitions tied to the App Router Next.js has been adding view transition support around its App Router. The integration has changed between versions, so treat any tutorial older than your framework version with suspicion and check the current documentation. It is the right choice for a Next.js app and the wrong one for anything else. Pros: Fits the App Router; No third-party router; Uses the native API Cons: Version-specific behaviour; Documentation churn ### Swup Best for: Older browser support and custom transition choreography Platforms: Any server-rendered site Price: Free and open source; paid plugins available Output: Client-side page swaps with transition hooks Swup predates the native API and still earns its place: it works in browsers without view transitions, gives you hooks for GSAP timelines, and handles scripts and analytics across page swaps. If you need the transition to be identical everywhere, it is more predictable than the native API. Pros: Works without native support; Rich hooks for custom animation; Mature plugin ecosystem Cons: Adds a client-side router; More setup than the native API ## Always plan the no-transition version View transitions are an enhancement. If the browser does not support them, the user should get a fast, normal navigation, not a blank screen. Test with the feature disabled, and never put content behind a transition that must complete before it becomes visible. ## Shared elements are the part users notice A cross-fade is pleasant; a card that grows into the detail page is memorable. Name the element on both pages, keep its layout stable, and avoid animating text inside it. Most of the perceived quality comes from one or two shared elements, not from animating the whole page. ## Frequently asked questions ### What are view transitions? A browser feature that animates from one page or state to another by snapshotting the old view and the new one. Named elements can move between them instead of cross-fading. ### Do view transitions work in all browsers? No. Support varies, and cross-document transitions arrived later than same-document ones. Always build the page so it works without them and treat the animation as an enhancement. ### Are view transitions good for accessibility? They can be, if you keep them short, move focus to the new content and respect prefers-reduced-motion. A transition that delays focus or traps it on the old page is worse than none. ### Do I need a library for view transitions? Usually not. The native API plus your framework's router integration is enough. A library makes sense when you need old-browser support or choreography the API cannot express. ### Can view transitions animate a shared image between pages? Yes. Give the image the same view-transition-name on both pages and the browser will interpolate its position and size, provided the layouts allow it. ## Related - [Page transition libraries](https://www.exodeui.com/best-page-transition-libraries) - [Astro animation libraries](https://www.exodeui.com/best-astro-animation-libraries) - [View Transitions API guide](https://www.exodeui.com/learn/view-transitions-api) - [Web animation tools](https://www.exodeui.com/best-web-animation-tools) - [Web performance animation tools](https://www.exodeui.com/best-web-performance-animation-tools)