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Shariq Ahmed
Shariq Ahmed

Posted on • Originally published at Medium

UI Libraries in React

UI libraries that can create aesthetically pleasing websites are what every developer looks for. These libraries not only help developers but also make life easier for users by enabling them to navigate the system quickly. So, what are some great UI libraries that developers can use with React.js? Let’s see them one by one.

Before that, it’s imperative to understand what React UI component libraries are. These libraries are *collections of pre-coded user-interface elements. * The elements included in component libraries are buttons, cards, tables, etc. Ultimately, they help developers ensure quick development and prototyping.

Now, let’s see some of the best React UI Component Libraries.

Chakra UI

It’s one of the simpler UI libraries loved by almost every developer because of its modular and accessible components. It is built on top of React UI primitives. Moreover, to ensure that all components are accessible, Chakra UI uses WAI-ARIA guidelines. Some pros of using Chakra UI include:

  • Responsive components
  • Availability of stack components
  • Dark mode
  • Multiple color modes
  • Custom values

But why should you use it over others? Chakra UI's main focus is accessibility. This ensures that the app you build is usable by everyone. Additionally, it emphasizes simplicity. This might also be why it’s popular. As of today, Chakra UI has more than 37k stars on GitHub.

Prime React

Another library that developers love to use is PrimeReact. It is an open-source front-end library that helps in building responsive websites. However, for beginners, it’s challenging to learn. Some also call it the underdog because it’s not very popular. Part of the reason might be marketing. On GitHub, it has 6.1k stars. Why do I love this library? Developers don’t need to install extra packages to accomplish tasks. They can do a lot with just the library.

Some pros of using PrimeReact include:

  • Data table components
  • Customizable templates and themes
  • Responsiveness
  • Better accessibility

NextUI

Another library that is popular in React.js is NextUI. It is renowned for its flexible nature and performance. NextUI is particularly recommended for building landing pages quickly. Moreover, NextUI offers immediate styling and components that developers can use after making some edits. It’s built on top of TailWind CSS and React Aria. Some advantages of NextUI include:

  • Gentle learning curve
  • Use of high-quality and customizable components
  • Adherence to WAI-ARIA guidelines
  • Well-scaled default dark theme
  • Lazy loading (helpful for app performance)
  • Support for internationalization
  • Form validation

Semantic UI

If you prefer a library that is full of pre-built components then you need to use semantic UI. Some of the advantages of using Semantic UI include:

  • Auto-controlled state
  • Shorthand props
  • Augmentation
  • Customization of themes
  • Community support

Ant Design

If you want to build enterprise applications, then go for Ant Design. This is because this UI library has many features that can make applications accessible as well as scalable. In fact, the reason it is too popular is because it has good performance and accessibility. Moreover, it gives developers the ability to tailor design elements as well. There are varying internalisation tools, too. The best part about Ant Design is that it enables the creation of a minimalist website. Ant Design focuses more on simplicity and consistency.

  • Typescript friendly
  • Comprehensive
  • Best (if you have to take a lot of input)
  • Variety and customization
  • Thorough documentation

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