When we're using "npx create-react-app", the npx always uses the latest version so it downloads packages each time you want to create new app.

Here NPX is a package runner that comes with npm, allows you to run executables from packages (here create-react-app) in the npm registry, without having to install them globally on your system.

It does so by downloading the latest version of that package in a temporary cache, even if you don't have it installed globally.

Once the execution is over, NPX will remove the installed package from the system.

This process takes a significant time. Another reason behind the slow build up time is:

The CRA (create-react-app) package uses a webpack, which bundles the entire application code before it can be served. With a large codebase, it takes more time in setting up the server and changes to get reflected (we see increased development and build time).

This slow process affects developers’ productivity and happiness.

Approved Fast Alternatives:

1. Vite is faster than Create React App (CRA).

This is possible because;

• Vite uses ES modules natively, which eliminates the need for bundling in the development stage.

• Vite utilizes lazy-loading Vite loads only the necessary dependencies on demand.

• Vite uses Rollup as its build tool, which is designed for optimizing the performance of javascript applications.

To set up a vite development environment, click here.

These factors lead to faster initial load times and improved runtime performance. In contrast, CRA is built with Webpack and Babel, which can lead to slower builds and less efficient development workflows.

So, if you're looking for faster builds, Vite might be a better choice compared to CRA. However, Vite is still a relatively new tool and may not have the same level of compatibility, and community support as CRA.

2. Gatsby (a static site generator)

Gatsby is another popular open-source framework for building fast and modern websites using React.

• Gatsby pre-builds all pages and assets at build time, resulting in extremely fast and performant websites.

• Gatsby can handle large amounts of data and scale to handle traffic spikes.

• Gatsby generates optimized and well-structured HTML code that is easy for search engines to crawl and index, resulting in improved SEO.

To setup a Gatsby development environment, click here.

Gatsby is a static site generator, unlike CRA (creates both static and dynamic sites). In conclusion, both Gatsby and CRA have their own strengths and weaknesses, and the choice between them will depend on the goals of your project. If you are building a static site and prioritize performance, Gatsby might be a better choice.

3. Razzle

Razzle is a JavaScript framework for building server-rendered, single-page, and progressive web applications with React.

• It's a zero-configuration framework, which means that you don't need to set up complex configurations to get started. Instead, you can focus on writing your React code.

• Razzle supports features such as hot reloading, automatic code splitting, and optimized production builds.

To setup a Razzle development environment, click here.

Ultimately, the best alternative to Create React App will depend on your specific needs and requirements. If you need more control over the development process and want to build a more traditional React application, Create React App might be better.

You may want to consider factors such as the size and complexity of your project, deployment needs, and your preferred developer experience.