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description: "A head‑to‑head comparison of two Python frameworks for building fast, interactive web apps"
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image: /blog/reflex-streamlit.webp
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meta: [
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{
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"name": "keywords",
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"content": "Reflex vs Streamlit, Streamlit alternative, Reflex Python framework, Streamlit Python framework, Python web app frameworks, low‑code Python apps, interactive data apps Python, reactive UI Python, Reflex state management, Streamlit session state"
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}
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]
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---
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```python exec
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import reflex as rx
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from reflex_image_zoom import image_zoom
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```
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**Reflex** and **Streamlit** are two frameworks enabling Python developers to create interactive web applications without writing JavaScript. Both let you build UIs and dashboards using only Python, but they differ significantly in design and capabilities. Below we compare Reflex and Streamlit across key dimensions – from framework architecture to components, interactivity, deployment, and ecosystem – highlighting each tool’s strengths and weaknesses for general Python developers.
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## Language & Framework Design
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### Reflex
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**Strengths**
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-**End-to-end Python stack** – backend (FastAPI/Uvicorn) and frontend (compiled React/Next.js) are generated from pure Python. No HTML/CSS/JS required and data/state flow is automatic via WebSockets.
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-**Declarative, state-driven model** – you define state classes and UI components; changes propagate reactively, keeping code organized and concise for larger apps.
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-**Multi-page & routing out-of-the-box** – true URL routes, layouts, and SEO-friendly pages are built in.
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**Weaknesses**
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-**Younger project** – API still evolving; occasional breaking changes.
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-**Requires a build step** – code is compiled to JS, so hot-reloading isn’t as instant as Streamlit’s script reruns.
-**Async ASGI server** handles high concurrency gracefully.
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**Weaknesses**
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-**WebSocket scaling complexity** – may need sticky sessions or shared state store at large scale.
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-**DevOps heavier** than “run a script”; CI/CD and observability are developer’s responsibility unless using Reflex Cloud.
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### Streamlit
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**Strengths**
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-**Dead-simple deploy** – `streamlit run app.py` on any VM or Streamlit Cloud; great for internal tools & demos.
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-**Stateless horizontal scaling** – spin up more identical instances behind a load balancer.
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**Weaknesses**
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-**No built-in auth / RBAC** – must front with proxy or custom code for secure apps.
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- **Single-threaded long callbacks** can block; heavy workloads and many users demand external queues or micro-services.
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---
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## Ecosystem & Extensibility
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### Reflex
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**Strengths**
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- Rapidly growing open-source community; React + Python combo means huge potential for extensions.
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- Active core team, frequent releases, YC-backed funding.
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**Weaknesses**
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- Fewer tutorials, templates, and Q\&A than mature rivals; early adopters may hit undocumented edges.
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### Streamlit
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**Strengths**
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- Large, established community, tons of tutorials, and Snowflake backing.
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- Dozens of ready-made community components and example apps.
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**Weaknesses**
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- Framework reaches limits quickly for complex, production-grade apps; many feature requests answered with work-arounds.
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---
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### Choosing Between Them
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-**Pick Streamlit** if you need **speed and simplicity** for prototypes, data explorations, or lightweight internal dashboards. Minimal setup, minimal code.
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-**Pick Reflex** when you foresee **multi-page navigation, real-time features, auth, or database-backed workflows** and want to stay entirely in Python without handing off to front-end engineers.
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Both tools lower the barrier to web apps for Python developers—your decision hinges on whether ultimate simplicity (Streamlit) or full-stack power and structure (Reflex) better fits your project’s trajectory.
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@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ Once generated, copy each prompt into the AI Builder to execute them in sequence
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**Example workflow:**
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1. Switch to Chat Mode and paste your full app specification
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2. Ask: *"Break this into a series of buildable prompts I can feed into the Agent Mode."*
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2. Ask**"Break this into a series of buildable prompts I can feed into the Agent Mode."**
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3. Copy each generated prompt into Agent Mode one by one
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4. Build iteratively using the structured prompts
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**Pro tip:** Use **Chat Mode** to help prepare prompts:
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- Paste your full app spec and ask: *"Break this into buildable prompts I can feed into the builder."*
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- Or ask: *"Write one prompt per feature/page to build this app."*
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Paste your full app spec and ask:
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-**"Break this into buildable prompts I can feed into the builder."**
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-**"Write one prompt per feature/page to build this app."**
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This hybrid approach — planning in **Chat Mode**, then building in **Agent Mode** — lets you move faster and build smarter.
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### Writing Clear, Task-Oriented Prompts
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The AI performs best when it receives **specific, outcome-driven instructions**. Avoid vague, broad prompts.
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❌ **Bad:**
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> "Build me an admin dashboard."
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✅ **Good:**
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> "Create a 2-column layout with a sidebar for navigation and a top navbar."
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```diff
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- Build me an admin dashboard. # <- Bad
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+ Create a 2-column layout with a sidebar for navigation and a top navbar. # <- Good
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```
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Whenever possible, split large tasks into smaller steps:
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- Use follow-ups to style and polish
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Use precise styling language, for example:
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> "Add medium spacing between grid items and use large rounded corners on cards"
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Avoid subjective terms like "nice," "modern," or "clean." Treat your prompt as interface documentation for the builder.
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```diff
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- Grid items have small spacing and sharp corners.
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+ Add medium spacing between grid items and use large rounded corners on cards.
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```
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Avoid subjective terms like "**nice**," "**modern**," or "**clean**." Treat your prompt as interface documentation for the builder.
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### Working with Images and Visual References
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**Get UI/UX feedback using Chat Mode:**
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- Upload a screenshot and ask: *"What are 5 things I could do to improve the UI/UX of this?"*
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- Follow up with: *"Implement items 1, 2, and 4 in the builder."*
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- Or request specific improvements: *"Make this more minimal and mobile-first."*
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Upload a screenshot and ask: **"What are 5 things I could do to improve the UI/UX of this?"**
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Follow up with: **Implement items 1, 2, and 4 in the builder.**
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Or request specific improvements: **Make this more minimal and mobile-first.**
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---
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At each stage, give feedback and iterate. If the AI builder makes something close, you can say:
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> "Reuse this structure but remove the modal and make the sidebar collapsible."
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```diff
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- Modal is included and sidebar is static.
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+ Remove modal and make sidebar collapsible.
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- Buttons vary across pages.
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+ Use same button style from home page.
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**Reuse and reference earlier outputs:**
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- Card layout differs across sections.
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+ Repeat card layout from dashboard section.
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```
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-*"Use the same button style from the home page here."*
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-*"Repeat the card layout from the dashboard section."*
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-*"Match the data table structure from the 'Users' tab."*
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### Improving UI/UX
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To improve your design, ask the builder for more polished layouts, better structure, or more modern styles.
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**Examples:**
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```diff
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- Layout feels cluttered with small headings and dense sections.
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+ Increase heading sizes and spacing between sections for better hierarchy.
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-*"Make this more minimal."*
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-*"Improve visual hierarchy."*
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-*"This page feels dense. Add more spacing and reduce visual clutter."*
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-*"Make this more mobile-first."*
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- Navigation buttons are inconsistent.
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+ Standardize button sizes and colors for consistent UX.
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```
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**Suggested workflow:**
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1. In Chat Mode, upload an image or describe the layout.
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2. Ask: *"Tell me 5 things that would improve the UI/UX of this page."*
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2. Ask: **"Tell me 5 things that would improve the UI/UX of this page."**
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3. Review the suggestions and decide which ones you want to apply.
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4. Switch to Agent Mode and implement: *"Improve visual hierarchy by increasing heading sizes and adding more spacing between sections."*
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4. Switch to Agent Mode and implement: **"Improve visual hierarchy by increasing heading sizes and adding more spacing between sections."**
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### Using Knowledge to Guide the Build
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The **Knowledge** panel lets you provide long-form references that influence how the agent builds your app. Add design systems, style guides, brand guidelines, or architecture rules.
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Once added, the builder will try to honor these rules throughout the session, ensuring consistency without repeating instructions.
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**Try combining Knowledge with Chat Mode:**
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Try combining Knowledge with Chat Mode:
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-**Use the style guide in Knowledge to improve this page.**
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-**Is the current layout aligned with our design system in Knowledge?**
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-*"Use the style guide in Knowledge to improve this page."*
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-*"Is the current layout aligned with our design system in Knowledge?"*
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### Local Development Integration
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We have an MCP server available for enterprise customers to connect local AI development tools such as Claude Desktop, Windsurf, or Codex.
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This enables a hybrid workflow: generate your app and make major changes in the App Builder, then move to local development for detailed refinements and custom functionality.
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> **🏢 Enterprise Feature:** The Reflex MCP integration is currently only available for enterprise customers. [Book a demo](https://reflex.dev/pricing/) to discuss access.
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> **Enterprise Feature:** The Reflex MCP integration is currently only available for enterprise customers. [Book a demo](https://reflex.dev/pricing/) to discuss access.
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