How to use GSAP with React?

Use the @gsap/react package which provides a useGSAP() hook to automate cleanup. Import GSAP and plugins, register them, and apply animations within React components for seamless integration.

GSAP vs CSS animations: which is better?

GSAP excels for complex, interactive, or sequenced animations requiring precise control and performance, while CSS animations are sufficient for simple, declarative effects without JavaScript overhead.

How to create scroll animations with GSAP?

Use the ScrollTrigger plugin to define animations that trigger based on scroll position. Import it, register it with gsap.registerPlugin(), and set up triggers with minimal code for effects like parallax.

Is GSAP free for commercial use?

Yes, since partnering with Webflow, GSAP and all its plugins are completely free for commercial use, as confirmed in the README's licensing section.

What are the best GSAP plugins for SVG animation?

MorphSVGPlugin for morphing effects and MotionPathPlugin for animating along paths are top choices, both available free and detailed in the plugin documentation.

How to reduce GSAP bundle size in my project?

Only import the core GSAP and essential plugins you need, using tree-shaking with ES modules. Avoid importing the entire 'all' file if not required to minimize payload.

GSAP

JavaScript

A framework-agnostic JavaScript animation library for high-performance animations across CSS, SVG, canvas, React, Vue, WebGL, and more.

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What is GSAP?

GSAP is a comprehensive JavaScript animation library that allows developers to create high-performance animations for web projects. It solves the problem of inconsistent browser animation support by providing a reliable, fast, and flexible toolset that works across CSS, SVG, canvas, React, Vue, WebGL, and other web technologies. The library handles browser inconsistencies so animations work predictably everywhere.

Target Audience

Frontend developers, UI/UX designers, and creative coders who need to build complex, performant animations for websites, web applications, and interactive experiences.

Value Proposition

Developers choose GSAP for its unmatched reliability, performance (up to 20x faster than alternatives), comprehensive feature set, and framework-agnostic approach that works consistently across all major browsers and devices.

Overview

GSAP (GreenSock Animation Platform), a JavaScript animation library for the modern web

Use Cases

Best For

Creating complex scroll-triggered animations and parallax effects

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Building performant SVG animations and morphing effects

Developing responsive animations that adapt to different screen sizes

Animating canvas and WebGL elements for interactive experiences

Implementing sophisticated sequencing and timeline-based animations

Adding professional motion design to React or Vue applications

Not Ideal For

Projects requiring only simple CSS animations or transitions
Server-side rendered applications with strict zero-JavaScript requirements
Teams wanting pre-built, animated UI components out of the box
Applications with extremely tight bundle size budgets where every kilobyte counts

Pros & Cons

Pros

Framework-Agnostic Flexibility

Works seamlessly with React, Vue, plain JavaScript, and any other framework, as shown in the README's NPM import examples and framework integration guides.

High-Performance Animation Engine

Up to 20x faster than jQuery, with optimized property manipulation for smooth animations, directly stated in the README as a core strength.

Powerful Scroll-Driven Effects

ScrollTrigger plugin enables sophisticated scroll-based animations with minimal code, making it easy to create parallax and scroll-triggered sequences without heavy custom logic.

Comprehensive Plugin Ecosystem

Offers optional plugins for advanced effects like morphing, text splitting, and motion paths, providing tools for complex animation needs beyond basic CSS.

Browser Consistency Guarantee

Handles countless browser inconsistencies, ensuring animations work reliably across all major browsers, as emphasized in the README to solve real-world problems.

Cons

Manual Plugin Registration

Requires explicit registration of plugins using gsap.registerPlugin(), adding setup complexity and potential for errors compared to more automated libraries.

Steeper Learning Curve

Mastering timelines, advanced sequencing, and plugin APIs can be challenging for developers new to animation, despite extensive documentation.

Bundle Size Overhead

Importing multiple plugins can significantly increase JavaScript bundle size, which may impact performance in bandwidth-sensitive applications.

No Built-in UI Components

Focuses solely on animating existing elements, so teams needing pre-styled, animated components must build or integrate them separately, increasing development time.

Frequently Asked Questions

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