Reflex vs Streamlit
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted developer tools & git options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | Reflex | Streamlit |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 98 · Excellent | 100 · Excellent |
| Category | Developer Tools & Git | Developer Tools & Git |
| License | Apache-2.0 | Apache-2.0 |
| Language | Python | Python |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 512 MB | 512 MB |
| Deployment | docker, source | docker, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 28,909 | ★ 45,827 |
| First released | 2022 | 2019 |
| Replaces | Streamlit, Retool | Retool, Tableau |
What are Reflex and Streamlit?
Reflex
Reflex is an open-source framework for building and deploying full-stack web applications entirely in Python without writing JavaScript. The compiled apps can be self-hosted on your own infrastructure.
- Pure Python web apps
- No JavaScript needed
- Built-in components
- Self-hostable deploys
Streamlit
Streamlit is a framework that lets data scientists build interactive web applications using only Python. Apps update automatically as you edit the script and can be self-hosted on any server.
- Pure Python data apps
- Automatic UI from script
- Rich widget library
- Self-hostable anywhere
Reflex vs Streamlit: key differences
Both projects are written in Python. Streamlit is the more established project (first released 2019), while Reflex arrived in 2022.
Why pick each one
Choose Reflex if…
- Pure Python full stack
- No JavaScript needed
- Compiles to React
Watch out for
- Node.js build dependency
- API still evolving
Choose Streamlit if…
- Pure Python apps
- Instant hot reloading
- Rich widget library
Watch out for
- Reruns script each interaction
- Limited layout flexibility
Frequently asked questions
Is Reflex or Streamlit better?
Streamlit is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider Reflex if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are Reflex and Streamlit free and open-source?
Yes. Reflex is licensed under Apache-2.0 and Streamlit under Apache-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Reflex and Streamlit with Docker?
Reflex: yes. Streamlit: yes.