Meta Spins Off React Into Independent React Foundation Under Linux Foundation

Meta has announced a major governance shift for React, the open-source framework it created more than a decade ago, by forming the React Foundation, a new independent body under the Linux Foundation.

“The move to a neutral home is the natural next step in the evolution of this important open source technology to ensure React and React Native remain open, innovative and community led,” said Jim Zemlin, executive director of the Linux Foundation. “This will be a major milestone for the open source ecosystem, and we look forward to welcoming the React Foundation to the Linux Foundation.”  

Originally open-sourced to simplify user interface development, React has become one of the world’s most widely adopted frameworks—powering over 50 million websites and used by global companies including Microsoft, Shopify, Bloomberg, Discord, Coinbase, and the NFL. React Native further expanded its reach beyond the web to mobile, desktop, TVs, gaming consoles, and mixed reality devices.

“We open-sourced React 12 years ago and since then the community has made it an essential part of how our industry ships better products. Today React is used by over 20 million developers to build across mobile, desktop, TVs, gaming consoles and VR headsets,” said Andrew Bosworth, Meta CTO and Head of Reality Labs.

The new React Foundation will oversee React, React Native, JSX, and related projects. "The React Foundation’s mission is to help the React community and its members. The React Foundation will maintain React’s infrastructure, organise React Conferences, and create initiatives to support the React ecosystem," Meta said.

“The new React Foundation board will include many leaders who helped get the community where it is today, including from Meta and our partners at Amazon, Callstack, Expo, Microsoft, Software Mansion, and Vercel,” Bosworth added.

Meta has committed to a five-year partnership with the foundation, including over $3 million in funding and dedicated engineering support. “This investment will ensure React’s smooth transition to independent governance while maintaining stability and innovation,” Meta added.

Meta will continue to use React as its primary UI framework and keep a team of full-time engineers contributing to its development.