Frontend · Comparison
Framer Motion vs GSAP
Two widely used JavaScript animation libraries. Motion (formerly Framer Motion) fits naturally into React components; GSAP is built for long, precisely timed sequences on any stack.
2 options · 7 questions side by side · updated
| Compare | Framer Motion | GSAP |
|---|---|---|
| Style | Declarative props on components | Imperative tweens and timelines |
| Frameworks | React first; also plain JavaScript and Vue | Any, including plain JavaScript |
| Strengths | Layout, exit and gesture animations | Timelines, scroll storytelling, SVG |
| Scroll effects | useScroll and scroll-linked values | The ScrollTrigger plugin |
| Can animate | DOM, SVG and plain values | Any numeric property, including canvas and WebGL |
| Licence | MIT (open source) | Free, under Webflow's own licence |
| Paid extras | Optional Motion+ pack | None; every plugin is free |
How to choose between Framer Motion and GSAP
- Pick Motion for React interfaces: page transitions, modals, lists and gestures.
- Pick GSAP for scroll-driven storytelling, complex timelines, SVG work and canvas or WebGL scenes.
- Both can live in one project, although most sites need only one.
The options
- Framer MotionA popular animation library for React, now called Motion, that makes elements fade, slide, spring and rearrange smoothly with a few props.
- GSAPA long-standing JavaScript animation library for timelines, scroll effects and complex motion on websites. It works with any framework and is free for all uses.
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