# Framer Motion vs GSAP: Which Animation Library for React? (2026)

> Motion, formerly Framer Motion, is a React animation library: you declare the target state and it handles springs, gestures, layout animations and exits. GSAP is a framework-agnostic engine built around tweens and timelines, which makes long sequences, scroll-driven scenes and non-React pages easier to control. For a React product interface driven by component state, Motion is usually the shorter path; for a page where twenty things move in a deliberate order, or where the code is not React, GSAP fits better. Both are free: the Motion packages are MIT-licensed, and GSAP became free for everyone after Webflow acquired it.

Updated November 2026. Source: https://www.exodeui.com/compare/framer-motion-vs-gsap/

## Frequently asked questions

### Is Framer Motion the same as Motion?

Yes. Framer Motion became independent and is now Motion. New projects install motion and import from motion/react. Older projects still import from framer-motion, which is why the old name is still everywhere in tutorials.

### Is GSAP better than Framer Motion?

For timelines, scroll scenes and non-React pages, yes. For React components whose animation follows state, Motion usually needs less code. Neither is better in general. Teams that use both give each one a clear job.

### Which is faster, Framer Motion or GSAP?

Both animate transform and opacity well, and neither wins every scene. Measure your own case rather than trusting a chart. On download size, our September 2026 test measured 71 KB gzip for GSAP and 80 KB for Framer Motion in identical minimal apps, before plugins.

### Can I use Motion and GSAP in the same project?

Yes, and it is common: Motion for component interactions, GSAP for page-level sequences. Keep one owner per property. Two libraries animating the same transform will fight, and the result looks like a bug.

### Do I need either library, or is CSS enough?

CSS is enough for hover, focus, press and simple loops, with nothing to download. Reach for a library when you need interruption with velocity, gesture-driven motion, layout or exit animations, or a sequence with many steps. Our Framer Motion vs CSS page draws that line.

### Is GSAP still paid?

No. GSAP is free for everyone, including its plugins, after Webflow acquired it. Install it from npm at version 3.13 or later.

### Does GSAP work with React?

Yes, through the @gsap/react package and its useGSAP() hook, which handles cleanup. It works alongside React rather than inside its render model, so you animate refs in an effect.

## Related

- [ExodeUI vs Framer Motion](https://www.exodeui.com/compare/exodeui-vs-framer-motion)
- [ExodeUI vs GSAP](https://www.exodeui.com/compare/exodeui-vs-gsap)
- [Framer Motion vs CSS](https://www.exodeui.com/compare/framer-motion-vs-css)
- [Best React animation libraries](https://www.exodeui.com/best-react-animation-libraries)
- [Interruptible animation in React](https://www.exodeui.com/learn/interruptible-animation-react)
- [Animation bundle size benchmark](https://www.exodeui.com/learn/animation-runtime-bundle-size-benchmark)