Choosing UI Component Libraries for React Applications
These libraries provide pre-built user interface components to speed up React development. bulma is a CSS-only framework requiring manual class application, while evergreen-ui, grommet, react-bootstrap, reactstrap, and semantic-ui-react offer ready-to-use React components. The main difference lies in how much control you have over styling versus how much ready-made functionality you get out of the box. Some track popular design systems like Bootstrap, while others offer unique design languages focused on enterprise or accessibility needs.
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React UI Libraries: Bulma, Evergreen, Grommet, Bootstrap, and Semantic Compared
When building React applications, choosing the right UI library affects your development speed, bundle size, and long-term maintenance. The packages bulma, evergreen-ui, grommet, react-bootstrap, reactstrap, and semantic-ui-react all solve the same problem — providing pre-built styles and components — but they take very different approaches. Let's compare how they handle installation, component usage, layout, and theming.
📦 Installation & Core Concept: CSS vs. Components
The first major split is between CSS-only frameworks and full React component libraries. bulma provides only styles, while the others provide interactive React components.
bulma requires you to import the CSS file and apply class names manually.
// bulma: Import CSS in entry point
import 'bulma/css/bulma.css';
// Usage in component
<div className="button is-primary">Click Me</div>
evergreen-ui installs as a React component library with built-in styles.
// evergreen-ui: Import component
import { Button } from 'evergreen-ui';
// Usage in component
<Button appearance="primary">Click Me</Button>
grommet installs as a React component library with a focus on accessibility.
// grommet: Import component
import { Button } from 'grommet';
// Usage in component
<Button primary label="Click Me" />
react-bootstrap installs as React components that match Bootstrap styles.
// react-bootstrap: Import component
import { Button } from 'react-bootstrap';
// Usage in component
<Button variant="primary">Click Me</Button>
reactstrap installs as React components that mirror Bootstrap classes.
// reactstrap: Import component
import { Button } from 'reactstrap';
// Usage in component
<Button color="primary">Click Me</Button>
semantic-ui-react installs as React components for Semantic UI.
// semantic-ui-react: Import component
import { Button } from 'semantic-ui-react';
// Usage in component
<Button primary>Click Me</Button>
🎨 Button Component API: Props vs. Class Names
How you customize a button varies significantly. Some use boolean props, others use string enums, and one uses class names.
bulma uses modifier classes appended to the base class.
// bulma: Class modifiers
<button className="button is-primary is-large">Submit</button>
evergreen-ui uses an appearance prop to define style variants.
// evergreen-ui: Appearance prop
<Button appearance="primary" size="large">Submit</Button>
grommet uses boolean props like primary or kind for variants.
// grommet: Boolean props
<Button primary size="large" label="Submit" />
react-bootstrap uses a variant prop for color and style.
// react-bootstrap: Variant prop
<Button variant="primary" size="lg">Submit</Button>
reactstrap uses a color prop for color and size for dimensions.
// reactstrap: Color prop
<Button color="primary" size="lg">Submit</Button>
semantic-ui-react uses boolean props for primary state and size strings.
// semantic-ui-react: Boolean primary
<Button primary size="big">Submit</Button>
📐 Grid & Layout Systems
Layout handling ranges from manual CSS classes to dedicated React layout components.
bulma relies on CSS classes for columns and sections.
// bulma: CSS Grid classes
<div className="columns">
<div className="column">Left</div>
<div className="column">Right</div>
</div>
evergreen-ui uses a Box component with flex props for layout.
// evergreen-ui: Flex Box component
<Box display="flex">
<Box flex={1}>Left</Box>
<Box flex={1}>Right</Box>
</Box>
grommet provides dedicated Grid and Box components.
// grommet: Grid component
<Grommet>
<Grid columns={["small", "small"]}>
<Box>Left</Box>
<Box>Right</Box>
</Grid>
</Grommet>
react-bootstrap uses Container, Row, and Col components.
// react-bootstrap: Grid components
<Container>
<Row>
<Col>Left</Col>
<Col>Right</Col>
</Row>
</Container>
reactstrap uses similar Container, Row, and Col components.
// reactstrap: Grid components
<Container>
<Row>
<Col>Left</Col>
<Col>Right</Col>
</Row>
</Container>
semantic-ui-react uses Grid, Grid.Row, and Grid.Column.
// semantic-ui-react: Grid components
<Grid>
<Grid.Row>
<Grid.Column>Left</Grid.Column>
<Grid.Column>Right</Grid.Column>
</Grid.Row>
</Grid>
🛠️ Theming & Customization
Changing the look of the library ranges from editing Sass variables to using JavaScript theme objects.
bulma requires overriding Sass variables before importing the CSS.
// bulma: Sass variables
$primary: #00ff00;
@import "bulma";
evergreen-ui uses a JavaScript theme provider to override tokens.
// evergreen-ui: ThemeProvider
<ThemeProvider theme={{ colors: { primary: '#00ff00' } }}>
<App />
</ThemeProvider>
grommet uses a Grommet component with a theme object.
// grommet: Theme object
<Grommet theme={{ button: { primary: { color: '#00ff00' } } }}>
<App />
</Grommet>
react-bootstrap uses Sass variables or a custom theme object in v2+.
// react-bootstrap: Custom theme
<ThemeProvider theme={{ primary: '#00ff00' }}>
<App />
</ThemeProvider>
reactstrap relies on loading a custom Bootstrap CSS build for theming.
// reactstrap: Custom CSS import
import './custom-bootstrap.css';
// No JS theme provider built-in
semantic-ui-react uses a less variable override or inline styles.
// semantic-ui-react: Less variables
// @primaryColor: #00ff00;
// Requires build step configuration
⚠️ Maintenance & Ecosystem Status
Long-term support varies. Some libraries track major CSS frameworks, while others depend on stalled projects.
bulma is stable CSS with infrequent updates, which is fine for static styles.
// bulma: Version check
// npm show bulma version
// Stable, low change frequency
evergreen-ui is actively maintained by Segment for enterprise use.
// evergreen-ui: Version check
// npm show evergreen-ui version
// Active enterprise maintenance
grommet has an active open-source community and regular releases.
// grommet: Version check
// npm show grommet version
// Active community maintenance
react-bootstrap tracks Bootstrap releases and is highly active.
// react-bootstrap: Version check
// npm show react-bootstrap version
// Active, tracks Bootstrap 5
reactstrap is active but ensure version alignment with Bootstrap CSS.
// reactstrap: Version check
// npm show reactstrap version
// Active, check Bootstrap version match
semantic-ui-react depends on Semantic UI which is largely unmaintained.
// semantic-ui-react: Version check
// npm show semantic-ui-react version
// Risk: Core CSS repo inactive, consider Fomantic UI
🤝 Similarities: Shared Ground
Despite differences, these libraries share common goals and patterns.
1. 📱 Responsive Design
All libraries provide ways to build layouts that work on mobile and desktop.
// All support responsive patterns
// bulma: is-hidden-mobile
// evergreen-ui: display props
// grommet: responsive prop
// react-bootstrap: md, lg props
// reactstrap: md, lg props
// semantic-ui-react: mobileWidth prop
2. ♿ Accessibility Focus
Most modern libraries include ARIA attributes and keyboard navigation support.
// All aim for accessibility
// Components include role attributes
// Focus management is built-in for modals
3. 🧩 Component Composition
You can nest components to build complex interfaces in all options.
// All allow nesting
// <Card><CardBody>...</CardBody></Card>
// Structure varies but concept is same
📊 Summary: Key Differences
| Feature | bulma | evergreen-ui | grommet | react-bootstrap | reactstrap | semantic-ui-react |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | CSS Only | React Components | React Components | React Components | React Components | React Components |
| Styling | Class Names | Props | Props | Props | Props | Props |
| Theme | Sass | JS Object | JS Object | Sass/JS | CSS | Less |
| Status | Stable | Active | Active | Active | Active | Risk |
💡 The Big Picture
bulma is best for developers who want a CSS grid and typography system without locking into a specific React component structure. It offers maximum flexibility but requires more manual work.
evergreen-ui and grommet are excellent for enterprise applications where consistency and accessibility are critical. They provide a complete design system rather than just components.
react-bootstrap and reactstrap are the go-to choices for teams already familiar with Bootstrap. They reduce the learning curve and leverage a massive ecosystem of themes and templates.
semantic-ui-react should be approached with caution due to the maintenance status of its core CSS library. It is viable for existing projects but risky for new long-term investments.
Final Thought: Your choice should depend on how much design control you need versus how much speed you want. If you need speed and standard patterns, pick a component library. If you need unique designs, pick bulma and build your own components.
How to Choose: bulma vs evergreen-ui vs grommet vs react-bootstrap vs reactstrap vs semantic-ui-react
- bulma:
Choose
bulmaif you want full control over your HTML structure and prefer a CSS-only approach without JavaScript dependencies. It is ideal for projects where you need a lightweight grid and typography system but want to build your own React components around them. Avoid this if you need complex interactive components like modals or datepickers built-in. - evergreen-ui:
Choose
evergreen-uiif you are building enterprise-grade applications that require a consistent, accessible design system out of the box. It is maintained by Segment and works well for dashboards and internal tools where speed and reliability matter more than custom branding. It is less suitable for consumer-facing marketing sites that need unique visual identities. - grommet:
Choose
grommetif accessibility and responsive design are your top priorities from day one. It provides a robust theming engine and works well for complex layouts that need to adapt to many screen sizes. This library is a strong fit for teams that want a structured design system without the Bootstrap look. - react-bootstrap:
Choose
react-bootstrapif your team already knows Bootstrap and wants to use it in React without jQuery. It reimplements Bootstrap components as native React components, offering better performance and integration. It is the safest bet for long-term maintenance within the Bootstrap ecosystem. - reactstrap:
Choose
reactstrapif you prefer a utility-based approach that closely mirrors the original Bootstrap class names and structure. It is a good alternative toreact-bootstrapif you find its API more intuitive for your specific workflow. Ensure you select the version that matches your Bootstrap CSS version to avoid style breaks. - semantic-ui-react:
Choose
semantic-ui-reactonly for legacy projects or if you specifically need its unique component API. Be aware that the underlying Semantic UI CSS is no longer actively maintained by the original creator, which poses a long-term risk. For new projects, consider community forks or more active alternatives.
Popular Comparisons
README for bulma
Bulma
Bulma is a modern CSS framework based on Flexbox.
Quick install
Bulma is constantly in development! Try it out now:
NPM
npm install bulma
or
Yarn
yarn add bulma
Bower
bower install bulma
Import
After installation, you can import the CSS file into your project using this snippet:
@import 'bulma/css/bulma.css'
CDN
https://www.jsdelivr.com/package/npm/bulma
Feel free to raise an issue or submit a pull request.
CSS only
Bulma is a CSS framework. As such, the sole output is a single CSS file: bulma.css
You can either use that file, "out of the box", or download the Sass source files to customize the variables.
There is no JavaScript included. People generally want to use their own JS implementation (and usually already have one). Bulma can be considered "environment agnostic": it's just the style layer on top of the logic.
Browser Support
Bulma uses autoprefixer to make (most) Flexbox features compatible with earlier browser versions. According to Can I use, Bulma is compatible with recent versions of:
- Chrome
- Edge
- Firefox
- Opera
- Safari
Internet Explorer (10+) is only partially supported.
Documentation
The documentation resides in the docs directory, and is built with the Ruby-based Jekyll tool.
Browse the online documentation here.
Related projects
| Project | Description |
|---|---|
| Bulma with Attribute Modules | Adds support for attribute-based selectors |
| Bulma with Rails | Integrates Bulma with the rails asset pipeline |
| BulmaRazor | A lightweight component library based on Bulma and Blazor. |
| Vue Admin (dead) | Vue Admin framework powered by Bulma |
| Bulmaswatch | Free themes for Bulma |
| Goldfish (read-only) | Vault UI with Bulma, Golang, and Vue Admin |
| ember-bulma | Ember addon providing a collection of UI components for Bulma |
| Bloomer | A set of React components for Bulma |
| React-bulma | React.js components for Bulma |
| Buefy | Lightweight UI components for Vue.js based on Bulma |
| vue-bulma-components | Bulma components for Vue.js with straightforward syntax |
| BulmaJS | Javascript integration for Bulma. Written in ES6 with a data-* API |
| Bulma-modal-fx | A set of modal window effects with CSS transitions and animations for Bulma |
| Bulma Stylus | Up-to-date 1:1 translation to Stylus |
| Bulma.styl (read-only) | 1:1 Stylus translation of Bulma 0.6.11 |
| elm-bulma | Bulma + Elm |
| elm-bulma-classes | Bulma classes prepared for usage with Elm |
| Bulma Customizer | Bulma Customizer – Create your own bespoke Bulma build |
| Fulma | Wrapper around Bulma for fable-react |
| Laravel Enso | SPA Admin Panel built with Bulma, VueJS and Laravel |
| Django Bulma | Integrates Bulma with Django |
| Bulma Templates | Free Templates for Bulma |
| React Bulma Components | Another React wrap on React for Bulma.io |
| purescript-bulma | PureScript bindings for Bulma |
| Vue Datatable | Bulma themed datatable based on Vue, Laravel & JSON templates |
| bulma-fluent | Fluent Design Theme for Bulma inspired by Microsoft’s Fluent Design System |
| csskrt-csskrt | Automatically add Bulma classes to HTML files |
| bulma-pagination-react | Bulma pagination as a react component |
| bulma-helpers | Functional / Atomic CSS classes for Bulma |
| bulma-swatch-hook | Bulma swatches as a react hook and a component |
| BulmaWP (read-only) | Starter WordPress theme for Bulma |
| Ralma | Stateless Ractive.js Components for Bulma |
| Django Simple Bulma | Lightweight integration of Bulma and Bulma-Extensions for your Django app |
| rbx | Comprehensive React UI Framework written in TypeScript |
| Awesome Bulma Templates | Free real-world Templates built with Bulma |
| Trunx | Super Saiyan React components, son of awesome Bulma |
| @aybolit/bulma | Web Components library inspired by Bulma and Bulma-extensions |
| Drulma | Drupal theme for Bulma. |
| Bulrush | A Bulma-based Python Pelican blog theme |
| Bulma Variable Export | Access Bulma Variables in Javascript/Typescript in project using Webpack |
| Bulmil | An agnostic UI components library based on Web Components, made with Bulma & Stencil. |
| Svelte Bulma Components | Library of UI components to be used in Svelte.js or standalone. |
| Bulma Nunjucks Starterkit | Starterkit for Nunjucks with Bulma. |
| Bulma-Social | Social Buttons and Colors for Bulma |
| Divjoy | React codebase generator with Bulma templates |
| Blazorise | Blazor component library with the support for Bulma CSS framework |
| Oruga-Bulma | Bulma theme for Oruga UI |
| @bulvar/bulma | Bulma with CSS Variables support |
| @angular-bulma | Angular directives and components to use in your Bulma projects |
| Bulma CSS Class Completion | CSS class name completion for the HTML class attribute based on Bulma CSS classes. |
| Crispy-Bulma | Bulma template pack for django-crispy-forms |
| Manifest | Manifest is a lightweight Backend-as-a-Service with essential features: DB, Admin panel, API, JS SDK |
| Reactive Bulma | A component library based on React, Bulma, Typescript and Rollup |
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Copyright and license 
Code copyright 2023 Jeremy Thomas. Code released under the MIT license.