Link vs NavLink in React: Key Differences and Usage

Link and NavLink are components from React Router used for navigation. Link creates a simple clickable link to navigate, while NavLink adds styling or class when the link matches the current URL, helping highlight active navigation items.

Quick Comparison

Here is a quick side-by-side comparison of Link and NavLink components in React Router.

Feature	Link	NavLink
Purpose	Navigate between routes	Navigate and highlight active route
Active Styling	No built-in active style	Applies active class or style automatically
Use Case	Simple navigation links	Navigation menus with active state
Props for Active	N/A	Supports className as a function and style as a function
Behavior	Always renders as a normal link	Renders as link with active state when URL matches

Key Differences

Link is a basic navigation component that changes the URL without reloading the page. It simply renders an anchor tag that React Router listens to for route changes.

NavLink extends Link by adding the ability to detect if the current URL matches the link's destination. When matched, it automatically applies an active CSS class or inline style. This makes NavLink ideal for navigation menus where you want to show which page is currently active.

While Link does not provide any active state styling, NavLink accepts props like className and style as functions to customize the appearance of the active link. This difference helps developers easily highlight the current page in navigation bars.

Code Comparison

Here is how you create a simple navigation link using Link in React Router.

jsx

import { Link } from 'react-router-dom';

function Navigation() {
  return (
    <nav>
      <Link to="/home">Home</Link>
    </nav>
  );
}

export default Navigation;

Output

<nav><a href="/home">Home</a></nav>

NavLink Equivalent

Here is the same navigation link using NavLink which adds an active class when the URL matches.

jsx

import { NavLink } from 'react-router-dom';

function Navigation() {
  return (
    <nav>
      <NavLink to="/home" className={({ isActive }) => isActive ? 'active' : undefined}>Home</NavLink>
    </nav>
  );
}

export default Navigation;

Output

<nav><a href="/home" class="active">Home</a></nav>

When to Use Which

Choose Link when you need simple navigation without highlighting the current page, such as buttons or links inside content. Choose NavLink when building navigation menus or tabs where showing the active page visually is important for user orientation.

In short: Use NavLink for menus with active states, and Link for basic navigation links.

Key Takeaways

Link creates simple navigation links without active styling.

NavLink adds automatic active class or style when the link matches the current URL.

Use NavLink for navigation menus to highlight the active page.

Use Link for basic navigation needs without active state.

NavLink supports className and style props as functions for customization.