tailwindcss vs @emotion/react vs styled-components vs @mui/system vs react-bootstrap vs semantic-ui-react vs rebass vs @pigment-css/react
CSS-in-JS and UI Component Libraries Comparison
1 Year
tailwindcss@emotion/reactstyled-components@mui/systemreact-bootstrapsemantic-ui-reactrebass@pigment-css/reactSimilar Packages:
What's CSS-in-JS and UI Component Libraries?

This collection of libraries provides various approaches to styling React applications, ranging from utility-first CSS frameworks to component libraries that utilize CSS-in-JS for dynamic styling. They help developers create responsive, maintainable, and visually appealing user interfaces by offering a range of design systems, theming capabilities, and styling methodologies. Each library has its unique strengths, catering to different development needs and preferences, making it essential to understand their features and use cases.

Package Weekly Downloads Trend
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Stat Detail
Package
Downloads
Stars
Size
Issues
Publish
License
tailwindcss19,339,17688,977679 kB8520 days agoMIT
@emotion/react10,719,64117,819817 kB3547 months agoMIT
styled-components7,069,54740,8481.77 MB321a month agoMIT
@mui/system6,128,11596,138649 kB1,74916 days agoMIT
react-bootstrap1,329,36522,5741.48 MB2092 months agoMIT
semantic-ui-react297,16313,2522.9 MB2302 years agoMIT
rebass50,1117,935-976 years agoMIT
@pigment-css/react20,4541,048862 kB1456 months agoMIT
Feature Comparison: tailwindcss vs @emotion/react vs styled-components vs @mui/system vs react-bootstrap vs semantic-ui-react vs rebass vs @pigment-css/react

Styling Approach

  • tailwindcss:

    tailwindcss adopts a utility-first approach, enabling developers to apply styles directly in their markup using utility classes. This promotes rapid development and a consistent design language without writing custom CSS.

  • @emotion/react:

    @emotion/react utilizes a CSS-in-JS approach, allowing styles to be defined within JavaScript files. This enables dynamic styling based on props and state, leading to highly customizable components that can adapt to different contexts.

  • styled-components:

    styled-components allows developers to write CSS directly within their JavaScript files, promoting component encapsulation and theming. This approach enhances maintainability and readability, especially in larger applications.

  • @mui/system:

    @mui/system offers a utility-first styling approach that integrates with the Material-UI design system. It allows developers to create responsive layouts and components using a consistent set of design tokens and utility functions.

  • react-bootstrap:

    react-bootstrap wraps Bootstrap components in React, maintaining the traditional CSS approach while providing a React-friendly API. It allows developers to use Bootstrap's grid system and components seamlessly within React applications.

  • semantic-ui-react:

    semantic-ui-react follows the Semantic UI philosophy, providing a comprehensive set of components styled with human-friendly HTML. It emphasizes semantic markup and accessibility, making it suitable for larger applications.

  • rebass:

    rebass promotes a minimalist styling approach with a focus on responsive design. It provides a set of styled components that can be easily customized using props, making it ideal for rapid development.

  • @pigment-css/react:

    @pigment-css/react provides a straightforward CSS framework that focuses on simplicity and ease of use. It allows for quick styling with pre-defined classes and components, making it accessible for developers of all skill levels.

Theming and Customization

  • tailwindcss:

    tailwindcss allows for extensive customization through its configuration file, enabling developers to define custom utility classes and styles. This flexibility makes it easy to maintain a unique design language.

  • @emotion/react:

    @emotion/react supports theming through its ThemeProvider, allowing developers to define global styles and theme variables that can be accessed throughout the application. This makes it easy to maintain a consistent look and feel.

  • styled-components:

    styled-components excels in theming, allowing developers to define themes and use them throughout their components. The ThemeProvider makes it easy to switch themes dynamically, enhancing the user experience.

  • @mui/system:

    @mui/system provides a robust theming solution that allows for easy customization of components and styles. Developers can define theme properties and use them across their components for a cohesive design.

  • react-bootstrap:

    react-bootstrap allows for customization through Bootstrap's theming capabilities. Developers can override default styles using custom CSS or Sass variables to achieve the desired look and feel.

  • semantic-ui-react:

    semantic-ui-react provides theming capabilities through Semantic UI's theming system, allowing developers to customize the appearance of components using variables and custom styles.

  • rebass:

    rebass supports theming through its ThemeProvider, enabling developers to define theme variables that can be used across styled components. This promotes consistency and ease of customization.

  • @pigment-css/react:

    @pigment-css/react offers basic theming capabilities, allowing for some customization of colors and styles. However, it may not be as extensive as other libraries, making it more suitable for simpler projects.

Learning Curve

  • tailwindcss:

    tailwindcss has a unique learning curve due to its utility-first approach. While it may take time to adjust to using utility classes, many developers find it enhances productivity once mastered.

  • @emotion/react:

    @emotion/react has a moderate learning curve, especially for developers new to CSS-in-JS. However, its API is straightforward, making it relatively easy to pick up for those familiar with React.

  • styled-components:

    styled-components has a moderate learning curve, particularly for those new to CSS-in-JS. However, its familiar CSS syntax and component-based approach make it approachable for most React developers.

  • @mui/system:

    @mui/system has a gentle learning curve, particularly for those already familiar with Material-UI. Its utility functions and styling approach are intuitive, allowing for quick adoption.

  • react-bootstrap:

    react-bootstrap is easy to learn for developers familiar with Bootstrap. Its component-based approach aligns well with React's philosophy, making it accessible for those transitioning from traditional Bootstrap.

  • semantic-ui-react:

    semantic-ui-react may have a moderate learning curve due to its comprehensive set of components and features. However, its focus on semantic HTML makes it intuitive for developers who prioritize accessibility.

  • rebass:

    rebass has a low learning curve, especially for developers who appreciate minimalist design. Its straightforward API and responsive design principles make it easy to adopt.

  • @pigment-css/react:

    @pigment-css/react is designed for simplicity, making it easy to learn for beginners. Its straightforward API and pre-defined styles allow for rapid development without a steep learning curve.

Performance

  • tailwindcss:

    tailwindcss is highly performant due to its utility-first approach, allowing for minimal CSS output. It promotes efficient styling practices that can lead to faster load times and improved performance.

  • @emotion/react:

    @emotion/react is optimized for performance, with features like automatic critical CSS extraction and server-side rendering support, ensuring styles are loaded efficiently and reducing render-blocking resources.

  • styled-components:

    styled-components is optimized for performance with features like automatic critical CSS and server-side rendering support. However, it may introduce some overhead compared to traditional CSS if not used carefully.

  • @mui/system:

    @mui/system is designed for performance, utilizing a low-level styling approach that minimizes the overhead of CSS-in-JS. It allows for optimized rendering and reduces unnecessary re-renders in React applications.

  • react-bootstrap:

    react-bootstrap maintains good performance by leveraging Bootstrap's optimized styles and components. However, it may introduce additional overhead if not used judiciously in larger applications.

  • semantic-ui-react:

    semantic-ui-react is generally performant, but its comprehensive component library may introduce some overhead. Careful management of component usage can help mitigate performance issues.

  • rebass:

    rebass is lightweight and designed for performance, focusing on minimalism and responsive design. It allows for quick rendering and efficient use of resources in React applications.

  • @pigment-css/react:

    @pigment-css/react is lightweight and performs well for small to medium projects. Its simplicity allows for quick loading times, but it may not be as optimized for larger applications.

Community and Ecosystem

  • tailwindcss:

    tailwindcss has rapidly gained popularity and boasts a vibrant community. Its extensive documentation, plugins, and resources make it easy for developers to adopt and integrate into their projects.

  • @emotion/react:

    @emotion/react has a growing community and is widely adopted within the React ecosystem, especially among developers who favor CSS-in-JS solutions. It integrates well with other libraries and frameworks.

  • styled-components:

    styled-components has a large and active community, with extensive resources and documentation available. Its popularity in the React ecosystem ensures ongoing support and development.

  • @mui/system:

    @mui/system is part of the larger Material-UI ecosystem, which has a strong community and extensive documentation. This support makes it easier for developers to find resources and examples.

  • react-bootstrap:

    react-bootstrap has a large and active community, benefiting from the extensive Bootstrap ecosystem. This provides developers with numerous resources, tutorials, and third-party components.

  • semantic-ui-react:

    semantic-ui-react is backed by a strong community and extensive documentation, making it easy for developers to find help and resources. Its alignment with Semantic UI principles enhances its usability.

  • rebass:

    rebass has a growing community, particularly among developers who appreciate its minimalist approach. Its documentation is clear and helpful, making it easy to get started.

  • @pigment-css/react:

    @pigment-css/react has a smaller community compared to others, but it is gaining traction among developers looking for simplicity in styling. Its documentation is straightforward, aiding in adoption.

How to Choose: tailwindcss vs @emotion/react vs styled-components vs @mui/system vs react-bootstrap vs semantic-ui-react vs rebass vs @pigment-css/react
  • tailwindcss:

    Choose tailwindcss if you prefer a utility-first CSS framework that promotes rapid UI development through utility classes. It allows for a highly customizable design system without the need for custom CSS, making it ideal for developers who want to maintain a consistent design across their applications.

  • @emotion/react:

    Choose @emotion/react if you prefer a CSS-in-JS solution that allows for dynamic styling and theming, with a focus on performance and flexibility. It integrates well with existing React applications and offers powerful features like theming and global styles.

  • styled-components:

    Opt for styled-components if you want to embrace the CSS-in-JS paradigm with a strong emphasis on component encapsulation and theming. It allows you to write actual CSS code to style your components, making it a powerful choice for complex applications.

  • @mui/system:

    Select @mui/system if you are looking for a low-level styling solution that is part of the Material-UI ecosystem. It provides a powerful utility for building custom components with a consistent design language, allowing for responsive design and theming.

  • react-bootstrap:

    Use react-bootstrap if you are familiar with Bootstrap and want to leverage its components in a React application. It provides a straightforward way to implement Bootstrap styles and components while maintaining React's component-based architecture.

  • semantic-ui-react:

    Select semantic-ui-react if you want a comprehensive UI framework that follows the Semantic UI principles. It provides a wide range of components with a focus on human-friendly HTML and a consistent design language, making it suitable for larger applications.

  • rebass:

    Choose rebass if you prefer a minimalist approach to styling with a focus on responsive design. It offers a set of styled components that are easy to use and customize, making it ideal for developers who want to build applications quickly without sacrificing design quality.

  • @pigment-css/react:

    Opt for @pigment-css/react if you want a design system that emphasizes simplicity and ease of use. It offers a set of pre-defined styles and components that can be easily customized, making it suitable for rapid prototyping and small projects.

README for tailwindcss

Tailwind CSS

A utility-first CSS framework for rapidly building custom user interfaces.

Build Status Total Downloads Latest Release License


Documentation

For full documentation, visit tailwindcss.com.

Community

For help, discussion about best practices, or any other conversation that would benefit from being searchable:

Discuss Tailwind CSS on GitHub

For chatting with others using the framework:

Join the Tailwind CSS Discord Server

Contributing

If you're interested in contributing to Tailwind CSS, please read our contributing docs before submitting a pull request.