What does React Query do that useEffect does not?
It handles caching, invalidation, refetching on focus, retries, pagination, and mutations. With useEffect you hand-roll all of this. React Query removes most hand-written fetching logic for real apps.
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More FAQs in React Query vs useEffect for Data Fetching: Which to Use
useEffect for simple fetches in small apps where caching does not matter. React Query for server state in real apps, where caching, invalidation, refetching, and pagination matter. Match the tool to the app's actual complexity.
For simple apps with a few fetches, yes. For real apps with many fetches, shared data, and refetching concerns, React Query is worth the dependency because it removes significant boilerplate.
When you have multiple components needing the same data, when hand-rolled caching becomes painful, or when you need refetching on focus, pagination, or mutations. These are the signals that useEffect alone is no longer enough.
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