snackbar vs toast

2 min read 16-10-2024

Snackbar vs Toast: Which One Should You Use?

When building user interfaces, providing feedback to users is crucial for a smooth and intuitive experience. Two popular methods for providing this feedback are snackbars and toasts. Both are short-lived, non-modal notifications that appear on the screen, but they differ in their purpose and appearance.

This article will delve into the differences between snackbars and toasts, helping you choose the right notification style for your specific needs.

What is a Snackbar?

A snackbar is a brief message that appears at the bottom of the screen, typically with an optional action button. It's often used to provide feedback on user actions, such as:

Confirming an action: "File saved successfully."
Indicating an error: "Error uploading image. Please try again."
Providing guidance: "Swipe left to delete."

Key Features:

Location: Bottom of the screen.
Duration: Typically disappears after a few seconds.
Optional Action: Can include a button for further interaction.
Focus: Generally used for actions that require immediate attention or provide feedback on user actions.

Example from Material Design:

[Image of a Snackbar with a message and an undo button]

"This snackbar is an example of a Material Design Snackbar. It provides feedback on the user action of deleting a file, offering an 'Undo' button for immediate action."

Source: https://material.io/components/snackbars

What is a Toast?

A toast is a short, non-intrusive message that appears for a brief duration, typically at the bottom or top of the screen. It's often used to provide:

System messages: "Network connection lost."
Simple confirmations: "Item added to cart."
Low-priority updates: "New version available."

Key Features:

Location: Top or bottom of the screen.
Duration: Usually disappears after a few seconds.
No Action: Typically does not include buttons.
Focus: Used for less critical messages that don't require user interaction.

Example from Bootstrap:

[Image of a Toast with a success message]

"This Bootstrap Toast provides a simple success message, informing the user that the action was successful."

Source: https://getbootstrap.com/docs/4.0/components/toasts/

Choosing the Right Notification Style

The choice between a snackbar and a toast depends on the context and message you want to convey. Here's a quick guide:

Use a Snackbar:
- When you need to provide feedback about a user action, particularly if it requires immediate attention or has an associated undo option.
- When you want to guide the user towards a specific action or provide context about the current state.
Use a Toast:
- When you need to display non-critical system messages or simple confirmations.
- When you want to inform the user about a low-priority update or event.

Conclusion

Both snackbars and toasts are valuable tools for providing feedback and enhancing user experience. By understanding their differences and choosing the right notification style, you can create more engaging and informative applications.

Remember: Consistent use of these notification styles across your application will contribute to a cohesive and intuitive user experience.

snackbar vs toast