This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Manu Kumar Pal
Hey devs! 
Redux used to be the go-to state management tool for React. But fast forward to 2025, and you might not need it at all. Let’s break down why Redux is no longer essential — and what to use instead. 
Why Redux Was Popular
Redux helped solve real problems back in the day:
Centralized global state
Predictable state updates
Easily testable pure functions
But it came with trade-offs:
Lots of boilerplate
Steep learning curve
Verbose setup for even simple state
What Changed in React?
React itself has evolved — a lot.
Built-in Hooks: useState, useReducer, and useContext handle most local/global state needs.
Context API: Great for simple global state like themes, auth, language, etc.
React Query / TanStack Query: Handles server state (API calls, caching, loading) better than Redux ever did.
Cleaner Alternatives:
Zustand 
: minimal and intuitive
Jotai 
: atomic and flexible
Recoil 
: great for complex apps
When You Don’t Need Redux
-> Local or small-scale global state
-> Server-state-heavy apps (use React Query)
-> Simpler apps with minimal cross-component state
You probably don’t need Redux unless you’re dealing with very large, deeply nested, or enterprise-level state logic.
When Redux Still Makes Sense
Highly complex business logic
Enterprise apps with strict architecture
You already have a Redux ecosystem and want consistency
Redux is still maintained and useful — just not the default anymore.
What are you using for state management in 2025? Zustand? Jotai? Still loyal to Redux? Drop your thoughts below! 
This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Manu Kumar Pal