Does React Query cache create UK GDPR compliance issues?

React Query caches API responses in memory (not localStorage — browser memory only). UK GDPR staleTime/gcTime consideration: gcTime (garbage collection time — default 5 minutes) controls how long personal data is cached after it is no longer actively used. Best practice: set gcTime to the minimum needed (e.g., 0 for sensitive personal data that should not linger in memory). Personal data in React Query cache is in-memory only — cleared on page refresh, browser tab close, or when gcTime expires.

Is SWR better than React Query for Next.js applications?

SWR is made by Vercel (the Next.js company) but is not mandated or significantly advantaged in Next.js. React Query v5 works excellently with Next.js App Router. The decision is primarily about feature requirements: SWR is excellent for simple GET requests with real-time updates. React Query wins when you need: mutations with optimistic updates, infinite scroll, complex caching strategies, or devtools. ClickMasters uses React Query (TanStack Query) on all Next.js projects — the richer feature set is worth the slightly larger bundle.

React Query Vs Swr Vs Rtk Query Uk

React Query vs SWR vs RTK Query — UK Data Fetching Libraries (2025)

Updated: August 20259 min read

🇬🇧 UK💷 GBP📊 Comparison🔒 UK GDPR⚖️ UK Law

Direct Answer

TanStack Query (React Query v5) is the right default for most UK React applications: best developer experience, most features (background refetching, optimistic updates, infinite scroll, mutations), and the largest UK adoption. SWR is simpler and better for basic data fetching without mutation complexity. RTK Query is right when you are already using Redux Toolkit and want a unified state management solution. Data fetching library choice affects UK GDPR data minimisation (caching personal data), application performance, and developer experience. Here is a concise UK comparison.

Factor	TanStack Query (React Query)	SWR (Vercel)	RTK Query (Redux Toolkit)
UK GDPR cache TTL control	✅ staleTime/gcTime — precise control	staleTime/dedupingInterval	✅ keepUnusedDataFor — precise
Background refetching	✅ Configurable — window focus, interval	✅ Configurable	✅ Configurable
Mutations (POST/PUT/DELETE)	✅ useMutation — best DX	Limited — no built-in mutation hook	✅ Built-in mutations
Optimistic updates	✅ Built-in onMutate pattern	Manual — complex	✅ Built-in
Pagination/infinite scroll	✅ useInfiniteQuery — excellent	Needs custom implementation	✅ Built-in
Bundle size	Medium (~13KB gzip)	✅ Small (~4KB gzip)	Larger (Redux dependency)
Redux integration	No — alternative to Redux	No	✅ Native — same store
UK developer familiarity	✅ Most common in UK React projects	Common — Vercel teams	Redux teams only
ClickMasters default	✅ All new React projects	Simple read-only data	Redux-first projects