Here Is What You Need to Know About the Best React UI Frameworks

A Brief Look at React’s History

In 2011, Facebook faced a challenge as it wanted to provide its massive user base with a more dynamic and responsive interface. That’s when Jordan Walke, a software engineer at Facebook, created React to offer a more organized and structured method of creating dynamic and interactive user interfaces. React streamlined the development process by allowing React developers to create dynamic, interactive user interfaces using reusable components. React allows you to build applications out of those independent Lego-like reusable components.

React was first deployed in Facebook’s Newsfeed in 2011. In 2013, it was made publicly available at JSConf US.

What Are React UI Frameworks?

What exactly is a React UI framework?

React UI framework refers to the Javascript library or collection of pre-built React-based components that can be used by developers to quickly create user interfaces (UI) for their applications. React-based frameworks usually offer a wide selection of pre-built UI components. These components are often small and reusable, like navigation menus, tables, buttons, forms, etc.

React UI components library gives developers a great deal of flexibility while streamlining the UI development process. React UI frameworks frequently offer design standards and a consistent look and feel to assist developers in creating UIs with a pleasing visual aesthetic.

React Bootstrap

GitHub Stars: 21.9k

Fork: 3.6k

The most popular frontend framework for React, Bootstrap, is completely rebuilt by React Bootstrap. Additionally, this has the benefit of eliminating the need for jQuery reliance. Although React Bootstrap is one of the oldest frameworks, it has grown and matured as a crucial React UI component library.

React Bootstrap CSS compatibility is one of the most important features of the framework. It is compatible with the Bootstrap core and the largest UI ecosystem in the world. The framework is compatible with hundreds of Bootstrap themes that are used by developers all over the world.

Developers who work on various facets of the application will benefit greatly from this framework. You are able to create projects in the background and then prototype them in the front.

Due to the actions and reducers that mimic a front-end environment, this framework has the disadvantage that developers will need to adapt their codes to the UI documentation. The UI design might not be appealing to backend developers.

When should you use React Bootstrap?

• When you need to meet the Bootstrap customization demands.
• There are CSS support requirements.
• There are SAAS and NPM requirements.

Material UI

GitHub Stars: 88.2k

Fork: 30k

MUI, formerly known as Material UI and based on Google’s Material Design, is another React UI component library.

It enables the construction of stunning interfaces. Material UI also offers:

• Tools for navigation
• Drop-and-down
• Customizable APIs
• React components that support native web app creation
• Automated color changes and compatibility across CSS-based modules and style components.
• Interoperability between style components

It is also a preferred UI framework for many developers. After all, MUI holds a sizable and active community of front-end developers. MUI also has documentation to help clear out any confusion.

When should you use Material UI?

• You must have responsive components.
• Advanced themes are necessary.
• There is a current demand for customization.

Semantic UI React

GitHub Stars: 13.1k

Fork: 4k

Semantic UI React is the integration of the well-liked frontend framework Semantic UI for React.

It is non-jQuery method independent and does not have a virtual DOM. The framework integrates well with React to create a custom UI component library of user interface components, making front-end development easy. There are over 50 important components with different styles and varieties. There are many other helpful features like augmentation, shorthand props, auto-managed state, etc. You can use the auto-controlled state to get the most out of your components. It’s also great for CSS-style sheet design.

When should you use Semantic UI React?

• The project requires a variety of CSS variables.
• There is an involvement of a wide range of UI elements.
• You are laser-focused on user experience.
• There is a need for cross-browser compatibility.

React Router

GitHub Stars: 50.8k

Fork: 10.1k

The next React UI library we would like to talk about is React Router.

As the name suggests, this would be a viable choice if you are looking for a router UI used with another interface. Some of its notable features include:

• The ability to split codes enables developers to only load essential components in a route, resulting in a decreased initial application loading time and enhanced efficiency.
• Since an application typically consists of four layers with various hierarchies, it dramatically reduces the time to create routes on your end.
• Synchronizing the application components with their URLs for a smooth user experience. React Router also changes the layouts along with the URLs, resulting in fewer routes created in the end.
• It automatically chooses the routes that fit your application by evaluating multiple options, ranking them, and rendering the most suitable route.

Even then, it is worth noting that there are smaller alternatives available in the market, so do consider your requirements in a project.

When to use React Router:

• When you are creating one-page apps.
• You are in need of a flexible API.
• You wish to speed up initial loading.
• You want to build a navigation structure with levels of hierarchy.

Grommet

GitHub Stars: 8.2k

Fork: 1k

The next one on our React UI component libraries list is Grommet. It is the perfect framework of choice if you are looking to design a user interface using a responsive and intuitive React framework.

Created by HPE, Grommet is a React-based CSS framework with component packages for fluid and easy-to-use mobile web pages.

Grommet has a dynamic and lively layout, great accessibility, attractive themes, modularity, and simplicity. You can use Grommet to create new projects with advanced themes or integrate them into existing projects.

Your UI development process as a whole will be upgraded with dynamic layouts, appealing themes, great accessibility, modularity, and simplicity.

When is the Grommet framework appropriate for your business?

• The desire for modular structure.
• Responsive components and a strong theming system.
• User-centric design system.

Blueprint UI

GitHub Stars: 20k

Fork: 2.1k

Blueprint UI is a React-based UI toolkit for developing desktop applications and data-intensive online applications. Blueprint UI’s CSS library consists of 30 built-in components with scripting and coding capabilities.

The CSS library of different components and minimal coding options makes the UI toolkit ideal for designing complex user interfaces. The user-friendly multi-touch interface improves the user experience and usability.

The core components of the React framework consist of distinct components for tables, icons, selection, and so on. When it comes to Blueprint UI’s dark and light theme modes, you can work with components like color scheme and typography.

When should you use Blueprint UI?

• You want to focus on the reusability of components.
• You have detailed documentation.
• There is a demand for compatibility across browsers.
• There is a focus on the delivery of user experience.

Chakra UI

GitHub Stars: 34.1k

Fork: 3k

You wouldn’t need to spend as much time when working on codes with this React component library. Chakra UI’s accelerated development is allowed by the flexibility, modularity, and accessibility of UI components. Additionally, those components adhere to the WAI-ARIA standards. The custom React components are reusable, which in turn, speeds up the process.

The design of a front end with lots of visuals is made possible by the variety of themes, components, and dark and light UI options. The web app is now more accessible to users with impairments thanks to its support for dark and bright modes.

When is Chakra UI the framework you are looking for?

• You are looking for components’ reusability.
• You have concerns that can be solved with the help of an active community.
• Fast development processes.
• Components reusability