Less Code, More Power - Why React-Forminate is Changing the Form Game

Introduction

In the world of React development, form handling has long meant choosing between verbose boilerplate (Formik) or complex validation setups (React-Hook-Form). But what if you could achieve better results with 70% less code? Enter React-Forminate – a game-changer that delivers powerful validation, seamless state management, and clean syntax through a revolutionary declarative approach. Let’s examine how it outperforms traditional solutions while requiring dramatically less effort.

Let's compare three popular approaches:

1. Formik + Yup - The established combination
2. React-Hook-Form + Zod - The performance-focused stack
3. React-Forminate - The new declarative solution with built-in validation

Implementation Comparison

Code Comparison: Implementing the Same Signup Form

In the following examples, we'll implement identical signup forms using three popular React form libraries:

1.React Hook Form
2.Formik
3.React-Forminate

The side-by-side comparison reveals striking differences in implementation complexity. Most notably, React-Forminate achieves the same functionality with approximately 50% fewer lines of code than its counterparts, demonstrating its superior developer efficiency while maintaining full feature parity.

1. React-Hook-Form + Zod

npm i react-hook-form @hookform/resolvers zod

Click to see: react-hook-form on NPM

React-Hook-Form Signup Form

This code example demonstrates React-Hook-Form signup form with Zod validation and Tailwind styling. Shows form registration, error handling, and password validation with schema. in React-Forminate.

Key features shown: Zod schema validation, Password strength rules, Cross-field validation, Error message handling, Tailwind CSS styling

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import { useForm } from "react-hook-form";
import { zodResolver } from "@hookform/resolvers/zod";
import { z } from "zod";
import { ReactNode } from "react";

// Define Zod schema
const signupSchema = z
  .object({
    firstName: z
      .string()
      .max(15, "Must be 15 characters or less")
      .nonempty("This field is required."),
    lastName: z
      .string()
      .max(20, "Must be 20 characters or less")
      .nonempty("This field is required."),
    email: z
      .string()
      .email("Invalid email address")
      .nonempty("This field is required."),
    password: z
      .string()
      .nonempty("Password is required")
      .min(8, "Password must be at least 8 characters")
      .regex(
        /^(?=.*[a-z])(?=.*[A-Z])(?=.*d)(?=.*[@$!%*?&])[A-Za-zd@$!%*?&]+$/,
        "Password must contain at least one uppercase, one lowercase, one number and one special character"
      ),
    comparePassword: z.string().nonempty("Please confirm your password"),
  })
  .refine((data) => data.password === data.comparePassword, {
    message: "Passwords must match",
    path: ["comparePassword"],
  });

type SignupFormData = z.infer<typeof signupSchema>;

const SignupForm = () => {
  const {
    register,
    handleSubmit,
    formState: { errors },
  } = useForm<SignupFormData>({
    resolver: zodResolver(signupSchema),
    mode: "onBlur",
  });

  const onSubmit = (data: SignupFormData) => {
    alert(JSON.stringify(data, null, 2));
  };

  // Helper component for required field labels
  const RequiredLabel = ({
    htmlFor,
    children,
  }: {
    htmlFor: string;
    children: ReactNode;
  }) => (
    <label
      htmlFor={htmlFor}
      className="block text-sm font-medium text-gray-100"
    >
      {children} <span className="text-red-500">*</span>
    </label>
  );

  return (
    <form onSubmit={handleSubmit(onSubmit)}>
      <div className="space-y-2.5">
        <div className="space-y-2">
          <RequiredLabel htmlFor="firstName">First Name</RequiredLabel>
          <input
            id="firstName"
            type="text"
            {...register("firstName")}
            className="w-full px-3 py-2 border border-gray-300 rounded-md shadow-sm focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-blue-500"
          />
          {errors.firstName && (
            <div className="text-sm text-red-600">
              {errors.firstName.message}
            </div>
          )}
        </div>

        <div className="space-y-2">
          <RequiredLabel htmlFor="lastName">Last Name</RequiredLabel>
          <input
            id="lastName"
            type="text"
            {...register("lastName")}
            className="w-full px-3 py-2 border border-gray-300 rounded-md shadow-sm focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-blue-500"
          />
          {errors.lastName && (
            <div className="text-sm text-red-600">
              {errors.lastName.message}
            </div>
          )}
        </div>

        <div className="space-y-2">
          <RequiredLabel htmlFor="email">Email Address</RequiredLabel>
          <input
            id="email"
            type="email"
            {...register("email")}
            className="w-full px-3 py-2 border border-gray-300 rounded-md shadow-sm focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-blue-500"
          />
          {errors.email && (
            <div className="text-sm text-red-600">{errors.email.message}</div>
          )}
        </div>

        <div className="space-y-2">
          <RequiredLabel htmlFor="password">Password</RequiredLabel>
          <input
            id="password"
            type="password"
            {...register("password")}
            className="w-full px-3 py-2 border border-gray-300 rounded-md shadow-sm focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-blue-500"
          />
          {errors.password && (
            <div className="text-sm text-red-600">
              {errors.password.message}
            </div>
          )}
        </div>

        <div className="space-y-2 mb-4.5">
          <RequiredLabel htmlFor="comparePassword">
            Confirm Password
          </RequiredLabel>
          <input
            id="comparePassword"
            type="password"
            {...register("comparePassword")}
            className="w-full px-3 py-2 border border-gray-300 rounded-md shadow-sm focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-blue-500"
          />
          {errors.comparePassword && (
            <div className="text-sm text-red-600">
              {errors.comparePassword.message}
            </div>
          )}
        </div>

        <button
          type="submit"
          className="px-4 py-2 bg-[#0457aa] cursor-pointer text-white rounded-md hover:bg-blue-700 focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-blue-500 focus:ring-offset-2"
        >
          Submit
        </button>
      </div>
    </form>
  );
};

const ReactHookForm = () => {
  return <SignupForm />;
};

export default ReactHookForm;

Typescript

1import { useForm } from "react-hook-form";
2import { zodResolver } from "@hookform/resolvers/zod";
3import { z } from "zod";
4import { ReactNode } from "react";
5
6// Define Zod schema
7const signupSchema = z
8  .object({
9    firstName: z
10      .string()
11      .max(15, "Must be 15 characters or less")
12      .nonempty("This field is required."),
13    lastName: z
14      .string()
15      .max(20, "Must be 20 characters or less")
16      .nonempty("This field is required."),
17    email: z
18      .string()
19      .email("Invalid email address")
20      .nonempty("This field is required."),
21    password: z
22      .string()
23      .nonempty("Password is required")
24      .min(8, "Password must be at least 8 characters")
25      .regex(
26        /^(?=.*[a-z])(?=.*[A-Z])(?=.*d)(?=.*[@$!%*?&])[A-Za-zd@$!%*?&]+$/,
27        "Password must contain at least one uppercase, one lowercase, one number and one special character"
28      ),
29    comparePassword: z.string().nonempty("Please confirm your password"),
30  })
31  .refine((data) => data.password === data.comparePassword, {
32    message: "Passwords must match",
33    path: ["comparePassword"],
34  });
35
36type SignupFormData = z.infer<typeof signupSchema>;
37
38const SignupForm = () => {
39  const {
40    register,
41    handleSubmit,
42    formState: { errors },
43  } = useForm<SignupFormData>({
44    resolver: zodResolver(signupSchema),
45    mode: "onBlur",
46  });
47
48  const onSubmit = (data: SignupFormData) => {
49    alert(JSON.stringify(data, null, 2));
50  };
51
52  // Helper component for required field labels
53  const RequiredLabel = ({
54    htmlFor,
55    children,
56  }: {
57    htmlFor: string;
58    children: ReactNode;
59  }) => (
60    <label
61      htmlFor={htmlFor}
62      className="block text-sm font-medium text-gray-100"
63    >
64      {children} <span className="text-red-500">*</span>
65    </label>
66  );
67
68  return (
69    <form onSubmit={handleSubmit(onSubmit)}>
70      <div className="space-y-2.5">
71        <div className="space-y-2">
72          <RequiredLabel htmlFor="firstName">First Name</RequiredLabel>
73          <input
74            id="firstName"
75            type="text"
76            {...register("firstName")}
77            className="w-full px-3 py-2 border border-gray-300 rounded-md shadow-sm focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-blue-500"
78          />
79          {errors.firstName && (
80            <div className="text-sm text-red-600">
81              {errors.firstName.message}
82            </div>
83          )}
84        </div>
85
86        <div className="space-y-2">
87          <RequiredLabel htmlFor="lastName">Last Name</RequiredLabel>
88          <input
89            id="lastName"
90            type="text"
91            {...register("lastName")}
92            className="w-full px-3 py-2 border border-gray-300 rounded-md shadow-sm focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-blue-500"
93          />
94          {errors.lastName && (
95            <div className="text-sm text-red-600">
96              {errors.lastName.message}
97            </div>
98          )}
99        </div>
100
101        <div className="space-y-2">
102          <RequiredLabel htmlFor="email">Email Address</RequiredLabel>
103          <input
104            id="email"
105            type="email"
106            {...register("email")}
107            className="w-full px-3 py-2 border border-gray-300 rounded-md shadow-sm focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-blue-500"
108          />
109          {errors.email && (
110            <div className="text-sm text-red-600">{errors.email.message}</div>
111          )}
112        </div>
113
114        <div className="space-y-2">
115          <RequiredLabel htmlFor="password">Password</RequiredLabel>
116          <input
117            id="password"
118            type="password"
119            {...register("password")}
120            className="w-full px-3 py-2 border border-gray-300 rounded-md shadow-sm focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-blue-500"
121          />
122          {errors.password && (
123            <div className="text-sm text-red-600">
124              {errors.password.message}
125            </div>
126          )}
127        </div>
128
129        <div className="space-y-2 mb-4.5">
130          <RequiredLabel htmlFor="comparePassword">
131            Confirm Password
132          </RequiredLabel>
133          <input
134            id="comparePassword"
135            type="password"
136            {...register("comparePassword")}
137            className="w-full px-3 py-2 border border-gray-300 rounded-md shadow-sm focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-blue-500"
138          />
139          {errors.comparePassword && (
140            <div className="text-sm text-red-600">
141              {errors.comparePassword.message}
142            </div>
143          )}
144        </div>
145
146        <button
147          type="submit"
148          className="px-4 py-2 bg-[#0457aa] cursor-pointer text-white rounded-md hover:bg-blue-700 focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-blue-500 focus:ring-offset-2"
149        >
150          Submit
151        </button>
152      </div>
153    </form>
154  );
155};
156
157const ReactHookForm = () => {
158  return <SignupForm />;
159};
160
161export default ReactHookForm;
162

2. Formik + Yup

npm i formik yup

Click to see: Formik on NPM

React-Formik Signup Form

This code example demonstrates Formik signup form with Yup validation and Tailwind CSS. Shows form state management, field validation, and error handling. in React-Forminate.

Key features shown: Yup schema validation, Form state management, Password validation, Error handling, Tailwind CSS styling

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import { useFormik } from "formik";
import { ReactNode } from "react";
import * as Yup from "yup";

const SignupForm = () => {
  const formik = useFormik({
    initialValues: {
      firstName: "",
      lastName: "",
      email: "",
      password: "",
      comparePassword: "",
    },
    validationSchema: Yup.object({
      firstName: Yup.string()
        .max(15, "Must be 15 characters or less")
        .required("This field is required."),
      lastName: Yup.string()
        .max(20, "Must be 20 characters or less")
        .required("This field is required."),
      email: Yup.string()
        .email("Invalid email address")
        .required("This field is required."),
      password: Yup.string()
        .required("Password is required")
        .min(8, "Password must be at least 8 characters")
        .matches(
          /^(?=.*[a-z])(?=.*[A-Z])(?=.*d)(?=.*[@$!%*?&])[A-Za-zd@$!%*?&]+$/,
          "Password must contain at least one uppercase, one lowercase, one number and one special character"
        ),
      comparePassword: Yup.string()
        .required("Please confirm your password")
        .oneOf([Yup.ref("password")], "Passwords must match"),
    }),
    onSubmit: (values) => {
      alert(JSON.stringify(values, null, 2));
    },
  });

  // Helper component for required field labels
  const RequiredLabel = ({
    htmlFor,
    children,
  }: {
    htmlFor: string;
    children: ReactNode;
  }) => (
    <label
      htmlFor={htmlFor}
      className="block text-sm font-medium text-gray-100"
    >
      {children} <span className="text-red-500">*</span>
    </label>
  );

  return (
    <form onSubmit={formik.handleSubmit}>
      <div className="space-y-2.5">
        <div className="space-y-2">
          <RequiredLabel htmlFor="firstName">First Name</RequiredLabel>
          <input
            id="firstName"
            name="firstName"
            type="text"
            onChange={formik.handleChange}
            onBlur={formik.handleBlur}
            value={formik.values.firstName}
            className="w-full px-3 py-2 border border-gray-300 rounded-md shadow-sm focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-blue-500"
          />
          {formik.touched.firstName && formik.errors.firstName ? (
            <div className="text-sm text-red-600">
              {formik.errors.firstName}
            </div>
          ) : null}
        </div>

        <div className="space-y-2">
          <RequiredLabel htmlFor="lastName">Last Name</RequiredLabel>
          <input
            id="lastName"
            name="lastName"
            type="text"
            onChange={formik.handleChange}
            onBlur={formik.handleBlur}
            value={formik.values.lastName}
            className="w-full px-3 py-2 border border-gray-300 rounded-md shadow-sm focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-blue-500"
          />
          {formik.touched.lastName && formik.errors.lastName ? (
            <div className="text-sm text-red-600">{formik.errors.lastName}</div>
          ) : null}
        </div>

        <div className="space-y-2">
          <RequiredLabel htmlFor="email">Email Address</RequiredLabel>
          <input
            id="email"
            name="email"
            type="email"
            onChange={formik.handleChange}
            onBlur={formik.handleBlur}
            value={formik.values.email}
            className="w-full px-3 py-2 border border-gray-300 rounded-md shadow-sm focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-blue-500"
          />
          {formik.touched.email && formik.errors.email ? (
            <div className="text-sm text-red-600">{formik.errors.email}</div>
          ) : null}
        </div>

        <div className="space-y-2">
          <RequiredLabel htmlFor="password">Password</RequiredLabel>
          <input
            id="password"
            name="password"
            type="password"
            onChange={formik.handleChange}
            onBlur={formik.handleBlur}
            value={formik.values.password}
            className="w-full px-3 py-2 border border-gray-300 rounded-md shadow-sm focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-blue-500"
          />
          {formik.touched.password && formik.errors.password ? (
            <div className="text-sm text-red-600">{formik.errors.password}</div>
          ) : null}
        </div>

        <div className="space-y-2 mb-4.5">
          <RequiredLabel htmlFor="comparePassword">
            Confirm Password
          </RequiredLabel>
          <input
            id="comparePassword"
            name="comparePassword"
            type="password"
            onChange={formik.handleChange}
            onBlur={formik.handleBlur}
            value={formik.values.comparePassword}
            className="w-full px-3 py-2 border border-gray-300 rounded-md shadow-sm focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-blue-500"
          />
          {formik.touched.comparePassword && formik.errors.comparePassword ? (
            <div className="text-sm text-red-600">
              {formik.errors.comparePassword}
            </div>
          ) : null}
        </div>

        <button
          type="submit"
          className="px-4 py-2 bg-[#0457aa] cursor-pointer text-white rounded-md hover:bg-blue-700 focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-blue-500 focus:ring-offset-2"
        >
          Submit
        </button>
      </div>
    </form>
  );
};

const ReactFormik = () => {
  return <SignupForm />;
};

export default ReactFormik;

Typescript

1import { useFormik } from "formik";
2import { ReactNode } from "react";
3import * as Yup from "yup";
4
5const SignupForm = () => {
6  const formik = useFormik({
7    initialValues: {
8      firstName: "",
9      lastName: "",
10      email: "",
11      password: "",
12      comparePassword: "",
13    },
14    validationSchema: Yup.object({
15      firstName: Yup.string()
16        .max(15, "Must be 15 characters or less")
17        .required("This field is required."),
18      lastName: Yup.string()
19        .max(20, "Must be 20 characters or less")
20        .required("This field is required."),
21      email: Yup.string()
22        .email("Invalid email address")
23        .required("This field is required."),
24      password: Yup.string()
25        .required("Password is required")
26        .min(8, "Password must be at least 8 characters")
27        .matches(
28          /^(?=.*[a-z])(?=.*[A-Z])(?=.*d)(?=.*[@$!%*?&])[A-Za-zd@$!%*?&]+$/,
29          "Password must contain at least one uppercase, one lowercase, one number and one special character"
30        ),
31      comparePassword: Yup.string()
32        .required("Please confirm your password")
33        .oneOf([Yup.ref("password")], "Passwords must match"),
34    }),
35    onSubmit: (values) => {
36      alert(JSON.stringify(values, null, 2));
37    },
38  });
39
40  // Helper component for required field labels
41  const RequiredLabel = ({
42    htmlFor,
43    children,
44  }: {
45    htmlFor: string;
46    children: ReactNode;
47  }) => (
48    <label
49      htmlFor={htmlFor}
50      className="block text-sm font-medium text-gray-100"
51    >
52      {children} <span className="text-red-500">*</span>
53    </label>
54  );
55
56  return (
57    <form onSubmit={formik.handleSubmit}>
58      <div className="space-y-2.5">
59        <div className="space-y-2">
60          <RequiredLabel htmlFor="firstName">First Name</RequiredLabel>
61          <input
62            id="firstName"
63            name="firstName"
64            type="text"
65            onChange={formik.handleChange}
66            onBlur={formik.handleBlur}
67            value={formik.values.firstName}
68            className="w-full px-3 py-2 border border-gray-300 rounded-md shadow-sm focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-blue-500"
69          />
70          {formik.touched.firstName && formik.errors.firstName ? (
71            <div className="text-sm text-red-600">
72              {formik.errors.firstName}
73            </div>
74          ) : null}
75        </div>
76
77        <div className="space-y-2">
78          <RequiredLabel htmlFor="lastName">Last Name</RequiredLabel>
79          <input
80            id="lastName"
81            name="lastName"
82            type="text"
83            onChange={formik.handleChange}
84            onBlur={formik.handleBlur}
85            value={formik.values.lastName}
86            className="w-full px-3 py-2 border border-gray-300 rounded-md shadow-sm focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-blue-500"
87          />
88          {formik.touched.lastName && formik.errors.lastName ? (
89            <div className="text-sm text-red-600">{formik.errors.lastName}</div>
90          ) : null}
91        </div>
92
93        <div className="space-y-2">
94          <RequiredLabel htmlFor="email">Email Address</RequiredLabel>
95          <input
96            id="email"
97            name="email"
98            type="email"
99            onChange={formik.handleChange}
100            onBlur={formik.handleBlur}
101            value={formik.values.email}
102            className="w-full px-3 py-2 border border-gray-300 rounded-md shadow-sm focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-blue-500"
103          />
104          {formik.touched.email && formik.errors.email ? (
105            <div className="text-sm text-red-600">{formik.errors.email}</div>
106          ) : null}
107        </div>
108
109        <div className="space-y-2">
110          <RequiredLabel htmlFor="password">Password</RequiredLabel>
111          <input
112            id="password"
113            name="password"
114            type="password"
115            onChange={formik.handleChange}
116            onBlur={formik.handleBlur}
117            value={formik.values.password}
118            className="w-full px-3 py-2 border border-gray-300 rounded-md shadow-sm focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-blue-500"
119          />
120          {formik.touched.password && formik.errors.password ? (
121            <div className="text-sm text-red-600">{formik.errors.password}</div>
122          ) : null}
123        </div>
124
125        <div className="space-y-2 mb-4.5">
126          <RequiredLabel htmlFor="comparePassword">
127            Confirm Password
128          </RequiredLabel>
129          <input
130            id="comparePassword"
131            name="comparePassword"
132            type="password"
133            onChange={formik.handleChange}
134            onBlur={formik.handleBlur}
135            value={formik.values.comparePassword}
136            className="w-full px-3 py-2 border border-gray-300 rounded-md shadow-sm focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-blue-500"
137          />
138          {formik.touched.comparePassword && formik.errors.comparePassword ? (
139            <div className="text-sm text-red-600">
140              {formik.errors.comparePassword}
141            </div>
142          ) : null}
143        </div>
144
145        <button
146          type="submit"
147          className="px-4 py-2 bg-[#0457aa] cursor-pointer text-white rounded-md hover:bg-blue-700 focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-blue-500 focus:ring-offset-2"
148        >
149          Submit
150        </button>
151      </div>
152    </form>
153  );
154};
155
156const ReactFormik = () => {
157  return <SignupForm />;
158};
159
160export default ReactFormik;
161

3. React-Forminate

npm i react-forminate

Click to see: React-Forminate on NPM

React Forminate Signup Form

This code example demonstrates React-Forminate signup form example with validation, password matching, and Tailwind CSS styling. Demonstrates clean form declaration with minimal code. in React-Forminate.

Key features shown: Declarative form setup, Built-in validation, Password matching, Tailwind CSS styling, Minimal boilerplate

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import { DynamicForm, type FormDataCollectionType } from "react-forminate";

const SignupForm = () => {
  const commonStyling = {
    disableDefaultStyling: true,
    containerClassName: "space-y-2",
    className:
      "w-full px-3 py-2 border border-gray-300 rounded-md shadow-sm focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-blue-500",
    labelClassName: "block text-sm font-medium text-gray-700 mb-2", //TailwindCSS classes
  };
  const formData: FormDataCollectionType = {
    formId: "signupForm",
    title: "Signup Form",
    fields: [
      {
        fieldId: "firstName",
        type: "text",
        label: "First Name",
        required: true,
        validation: [
          {
            maxLength: 15,
            message: "Must be 15 characters or less",
          },
        ],
        ...commonStyling,
      },
      {
        fieldId: "lastName",
        type: "text",
        label: "Last Name",
        required: true,
        validation: [
          {
            maxLength: 20,
            message: "Must be 20 characters or less",
          },
        ],
        ...commonStyling,
      },
      {
        fieldId: "email",
        type: "email",
        label: "Email Address",
        required: true,
        validation: [{ type: "email", message: "Invalid email address" }],
        ...commonStyling,
      },
      {
        fieldId: "password",
        type: "password",
        label: "Password",
        required: true,
        validation: [{ type: "password" }],
        ...commonStyling,
      },
      {
        fieldId: "confirmPassword",
        type: "password",
        label: "Confirm Password",
        required: true,
        validation: [
          {
            type: "equalTo",
            equalTo: "{{password}}", // Reference to the password field
            message: "Passwords must match", // Custom error message
          },
        ],
        ...commonStyling,
      },
    ],
  };

  const onSubmit = (value: any, isValid: boolean) => {
    console.log("value", value);

    if (isValid) {
      alert(JSON.stringify(value, null, 2));
    }
  };

  return <DynamicForm formData={formData} onSubmit={onSubmit} />;
};

const ReactForminateForm = () => {
  return <SignupForm />;
};

export default ReactForminateForm;

Typescript

1import { DynamicForm, type FormDataCollectionType } from "react-forminate";
2
3const SignupForm = () => {
4  const commonStyling = {
5    disableDefaultStyling: true,
6    containerClassName: "space-y-2",
7    className:
8      "w-full px-3 py-2 border border-gray-300 rounded-md shadow-sm focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-blue-500",
9    labelClassName: "block text-sm font-medium text-gray-700 mb-2", //TailwindCSS classes
10  };
11  const formData: FormDataCollectionType = {
12    formId: "signupForm",
13    title: "Signup Form",
14    fields: [
15      {
16        fieldId: "firstName",
17        type: "text",
18        label: "First Name",
19        required: true,
20        validation: [
21          {
22            maxLength: 15,
23            message: "Must be 15 characters or less",
24          },
25        ],
26        ...commonStyling,
27      },
28      {
29        fieldId: "lastName",
30        type: "text",
31        label: "Last Name",
32        required: true,
33        validation: [
34          {
35            maxLength: 20,
36            message: "Must be 20 characters or less",
37          },
38        ],
39        ...commonStyling,
40      },
41      {
42        fieldId: "email",
43        type: "email",
44        label: "Email Address",
45        required: true,
46        validation: [{ type: "email", message: "Invalid email address" }],
47        ...commonStyling,
48      },
49      {
50        fieldId: "password",
51        type: "password",
52        label: "Password",
53        required: true,
54        validation: [{ type: "password" }],
55        ...commonStyling,
56      },
57      {
58        fieldId: "confirmPassword",
59        type: "password",
60        label: "Confirm Password",
61        required: true,
62        validation: [
63          {
64            type: "equalTo",
65            equalTo: "{{password}}", // Reference to the password field
66            message: "Passwords must match", // Custom error message
67          },
68        ],
69        ...commonStyling,
70      },
71    ],
72  };
73
74  const onSubmit = (value: any, isValid: boolean) => {
75    console.log("value", value);
76
77    if (isValid) {
78      alert(JSON.stringify(value, null, 2));
79    }
80  };
81
82  return <DynamicForm formData={formData} onSubmit={onSubmit} />;
83};
84
85const ReactForminateForm = () => {
86  return <SignupForm />;
87};
88
89export default ReactForminateForm;
90

Feature Comparison

Feature	Formik + Yup	RHF + Zod	React-Forminate
Lines of Code	120+	130+	30-50
Built-in Validation	❌	❌	✅
Declarative API	❌	❌	✅
Performance	❌	✅	✅
Schema Required	✅	✅	❌
Field Dependencies	Complex	Complex	Simple ({{field}})
Learning Curve	Steep	Medium	Gentle

Pros and Cons Analysis

Formik + Yup

✅ Pros:

• Mature ecosystem
• Good documentation
• Flexible for complex forms

❌ Cons:

• Verbose implementation
• Performance issues with large forms
• Requires learning two libraries
• Manual error handling

React-Hook-Form + Zod

✅ Pros:

• Excellent performance
• Strong type safety
• Active community

❌ Cons:

• Complex setup
• Schema definition gets verbose
• Steeper learning curve
• Boilerplate code

React-Forminate

(Last but not least)

✅ Pros:

• Minimal boilerplate
• Built-in validation
• Declarative configuration
• Automatic error handling
• Field reference system
• Consistent styling approach
• Faster development cycle

❌ Cons:

• Newer library (smaller community)
• Less customization for edge cases
• Requires adopting its paradigm

Why React-Forminate Stands Out

1. Developer Experience
   React-Forminate reduces form implementation code by 60-70% compared to alternatives. The declarative approach means you describe what you want rather than how to implement it.

2. Built-in Best Practices
   Validation, error handling, and form state management come pre-configured with sensible defaults.

3. Consistent Architecture
   Unlike mixing Formik/Yup or RHF/Zod, React-Forminate provides a unified solution where all parts are designed to work together seamlessly.

4. Rapid Prototyping
   You can build complete, production-ready forms in minutes rather than hours.

5. Maintainability
   The configuration-centric approach makes forms easier to modify and reason about.

Conclusion

While all three solutions are capable, React-Forminate offers significant advantages in:

• Development speed - Build forms 3-4x faster
• Code maintainability - 70% less code to manage
• Learning efficiency - New developers become productive quicker
• Consistency - Standardized form patterns across your application

For projects where developer productivity and clean code matter, React-Forminate represents the next evolution of form management in React.