Meta frees React to live in its own foundation
The Register
February 25, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Meta has officially transferred control of React, React Native, and related projects like JSX to the newly established React Foundation, marking a significant shift in open-source governance. This move, first announced last October, places React under the stewardship of an independent foundation hosted by the Linux Foundation. The foundation's founding members include major tech companies such as Amazon, Microsoft, Huawei, and Vercel, ensuring a vendor-neutral approach to managing one of the most widely used front-end JavaScript frameworks.
React's transition to the React Foundation is seen as an effort to address concerns about Meta's dominance over the project. While React remains the preferred choice for many developers—used by 85% of those surveyed in the 2025 State of JavaScript report—it has faced criticism for its complexity and performance issues. Critics, including Microsoft Edge partner product architect Alex Russell, argue that starting new projects with React in the 2020s is outdated, urging developers to explore alternatives.
The move aligns with Meta's previous actions, such as transferring PyTorch to the Linux Foundation in 2022, to distance itself from controlling critical open-source projects. This strategy aims to mitigate potential conflicts of interest and ensure that React evolves under community-driven governance rather than being tied to any single company's interests.
By ceding control, Meta has positioned the React Foundation as a neutral body capable of overseeing React's future with input from diverse stakeholders. This shift could foster innovation and stability for React, addressing long-standing critiques while maintaining its status as a cornerstone of modern web development. The foundation's structure is designed to reflect the collaborative spirit of the open-source community, ensuring that React remains accessible and adaptable for years to come.
For tech enthusiasts and developers, this transition matters because it signals a broader trend toward more inclusive and sustainable open-source management. By reducing reliance on any single entity, the React Foundation aims to create
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Originally published on The Register on 2/25/2026