vuetify vs bootstrap-vue vs ant-design-vue vs element-ui | Vue.js UI Component Libraries Comparison

Package	Downloads	Stars	Size	Issues	Publish	License

vuetify	709,489	40,725	52.8 MB	671	2 days ago	MIT
bootstrap-vue	202,481	14,518	49.3 MB	192	-	MIT
ant-design-vue	130,777	21,111	78 MB	148	10 months ago	MIT
element-ui	125,448	54,239	9.25 MB	2,938	2 years ago	MIT

Package

Downloads

Stars

Size

Issues

Publish

License

vuetify

709,489

40,725

52.8 MB

671

2 days ago

MIT

bootstrap-vue

202,481

14,518

49.3 MB

192

MIT

ant-design-vue

130,777

21,111

78 MB

148

10 months ago

MIT

element-ui

125,448

54,239

9.25 MB

2,938

2 years ago

MIT

Design Philosophy

vuetify:
vuetify is inspired by Material Design principles, which prioritize bold colors, clean lines, and intuitive interactions. It aims to provide a modern and visually striking set of components that are highly customizable while adhering to accessibility standards.
bootstrap-vue:
bootstrap-vue is built on the foundation of Bootstrap, which is known for its simplicity, responsiveness, and utility-first approach. It aims to provide a straightforward implementation of Bootstrap components in Vue.js, making it easy for developers to create responsive layouts and interfaces quickly.
ant-design-vue:
ant-design-vue follows the Ant Design specification, which emphasizes a clean, professional, and consistent design language. It is particularly focused on providing a cohesive experience for enterprise applications, with attention to detail in typography, spacing, and component behavior.
element-ui:
element-ui is designed with a focus on clarity and usability, providing a set of components that are both visually appealing and functional. It is particularly popular in the Chinese market and is tailored for applications that require a more traditional desktop interface.

Component Variety

vuetify:
vuetify boasts one of the most extensive collections of Material Design components, including everything from basic UI elements to complex data visualization tools. It also supports features like grid layouts, responsive design, and customizable themes out of the box.
bootstrap-vue:
bootstrap-vue includes a wide range of components that cover the essentials, such as buttons, modals, and forms, along with layout utilities. However, it may not have as many specialized components as some other libraries, as it focuses on implementing Bootstrap’s core features in Vue.
ant-design-vue:
ant-design-vue offers a comprehensive suite of components, including advanced data visualization tools, form controls, and navigation elements. It also provides a rich set of APIs for customization and theming, making it suitable for complex applications.
element-ui:
element-ui provides a rich set of components, particularly for form handling, data display, and navigation. It also includes more specialized components like date pickers, sliders, and tree views, making it versatile for various application needs.

Customization

vuetify:
vuetify provides robust customization options, including a powerful theming system that supports dark mode, CSS variables, and scoped styles. It also allows for deep customization of component styles and behaviors, making it one of the most flexible libraries in this regard.
bootstrap-vue:
bootstrap-vue inherits Bootstrap’s customization features, allowing developers to override styles using CSS or Sass variables. However, its customization is largely limited to what Bootstrap provides, which may not be as flexible as some other libraries.
ant-design-vue:
ant-design-vue allows for extensive customization through its theming capabilities, which enable developers to modify styles at both the component and global levels. It also supports CSS-in-JS, making it easier to implement dynamic styles.
element-ui:
element-ui offers a theming system that allows for customization of component styles using CSS variables and a theme builder. It also provides good documentation on how to create and apply custom themes, making it relatively easy to achieve a unique look.

Accessibility

vuetify:
vuetify is designed with accessibility in mind, following Material Design accessibility guidelines. It provides built-in support for keyboard navigation, ARIA attributes, and screen reader compatibility, making it one of the more accessible UI libraries for Vue.js.
bootstrap-vue:
bootstrap-vue benefits from Bootstrap’s accessibility features, which include semantic HTML, keyboard navigation, and ARIA roles. However, the level of accessibility may vary depending on how components are implemented and customized by developers.
ant-design-vue:
ant-design-vue places a strong emphasis on accessibility, adhering to WCAG guidelines and providing keyboard navigation support, ARIA attributes, and customizable focus states. The library is designed to be usable by people with disabilities, making it a good choice for inclusive applications.
element-ui:
element-ui has made efforts to improve accessibility, but it may not be as comprehensive as some other libraries. It provides basic keyboard navigation and ARIA support, but developers may need to implement additional accessibility features for more complex components.

Ease of Use: Code Examples

vuetify:

vuetify Example

<template>
  <v-btn color="blue">Blue Button</v-btn>
</template>
<script>
import { VBtn } from 'vuetify/lib';
export default {
  components: { VBtn },
};
</script>

bootstrap-vue:

bootstrap-vue Example

<template>
  <b-button variant="success">Success Button</b-button>
</template>
<script>
import { BButton } from 'bootstrap-vue';
export default {
  components: { BButton },
};
</script>

ant-design-vue:

ant-design-vue Example

<template>
  <a-button type="primary">Primary Button</a-button>
</template>
<script>
import { Button } from 'ant-design-vue';
export default {
  components: { AButton: Button,
};
</script>

element-ui:

element-ui Example

<template>
  <el-button type="danger">Danger Button</el-button>
</template>
<script>
import { ElButton } from 'element-ui';
export default {
  components: { ElButton },
};
</script>