Optimizing system design and operation of reverse osmosis (RO) systems requires an in-depth comprehension of the intrinsic tradeoff between RO mass transfer kinetics and energetics. In this study, we demonstrate that this critical trade-off can be quantified using the relationship between the average water flux and the specific energy consumption (SEC). We derive analytical expressions to quantify the average water flux and SEC for single stage, two stage, and closed circuit RO processes. These analytical expressions are useful for system design and operation optimization as they facilitate direct comparison of the kinetic and energetic efficiencies between RO processes with different operation conditions and system configurations. Finally, we compare the kinetics and energetics of the three system configurations using these analytical expressions and discuss their relative advantages and disadvantages in RO desalination. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.