redux-thunk and createAsyncThunk both handle asynchronous logic in Redux, but they differ in abstraction, boilerplate, and ease of use. redux-thunk is a middleware that allows you to manually write async logic, while createAsyncThunk is a Redux Toolkit utility that automates the async action lifecycle.

Key Differences

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1. Level of Abstraction: redux-thunk is a low-level middleware requiring manual setup for async actions. createAsyncThunk abstracts that setup by generating pending, fulfilled, and rejected action types automatically.
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2. Boilerplate: With redux-thunk, you manually dispatch multiple actions for loading, success, and failure. createAsyncThunk eliminates that boilerplate.
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3. Integration with createSlice: createAsyncThunk integrates seamlessly with Redux Toolkit slices via extraReducers, while redux-thunk requires custom reducers.
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4. Error Handling: createAsyncThunk includes built-in error propagation via the rejected action payload, while redux-thunk requires custom try-catch handling.

Example: Using redux-thunk

Example: Using createAsyncThunk

When to Use Each

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Use redux-thunk: When you need full control over async logic or want to handle multiple dispatches manually.
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Use createAsyncThunk: When you prefer concise, structured async logic with built-in action handling and reduced boilerplate.

In summary, redux-thunk gives flexibility and control for custom async handling, while createAsyncThunk provides a cleaner, declarative way to manage async workflows in Redux Toolkit.