React Version History

5 active, 0 end-of-life. 5 versions tracked.

React does not follow a fixed release schedule. Major versions ship when significant architectural changes are ready, which has historically meant 2-3 years between major releases. Minor versions with new features ship more frequently.

Recommendation

For new projects, use React 19. It includes the new React Compiler, Server Components are stable, and the Actions API simplifies form handling and data mutations.

Version Released End of Life Latest Patch Status
React 19 December 5, 2024 TBD 19.2.4 Active
React 18 March 29, 2022 TBD 18.3.1 Active
React 17 October 20, 2020 TBD 17.0.2 Active
React 16 September 26, 2017 TBD 16.14.0 Active
React 15 April 7, 2016 TBD 15.7.0 Active
View React Hub Page →

React Support Policy

React does not publish a formal support policy. In practice, the React team backports critical security fixes to the previous major version for a period after a new major release. Older versions (React 16, 17) are effectively unmaintained.

What You Need to Know

React 18 is still widely used but React 19 is the current recommended version for new projects.

React 19 introduced the React Compiler (formerly React Forget), which auto-memoizes components.

Server Components are now stable in React 19, enabling component-level server rendering without a full-page reload.

React 16 and 17 are effectively end-of-life with no security patches. Upgrade if you're still on them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often does React release new major versions?
React has no fixed release schedule. Major versions ship every 2-3 years when significant changes are ready. React 16 (2017), React 17 (2020), React 18 (2022), and React 19 (2024) show this pattern. Minor releases with new features come out more frequently.
Should I upgrade from React 18 to React 19?
Yes, for new projects absolutely use React 19. For existing projects, the migration is worthwhile but not urgent if you're on React 18. The React team provides codemods to help with the upgrade. The biggest changes are around Server Components, the new Compiler, and the Actions API.
Is React 17 still supported?
Not actively. React 17 doesn't receive regular security patches. While it still works fine, you're running without a safety net. Plan an upgrade to React 18 or 19, especially if your app handles user authentication or sensitive data.

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Related Resources

📊React Release Tracker

Lifecycle timelines, upgrade paths, risk scores, and version comparisons

❓React FAQ

Answers to the most common questions about React versions and support

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